iTunes cannot run because some of its required files are missing

Thanks. It works also for me.

MenaceF1

Sep 23, 2021 4:43 AM in response to blackwest

This morning (23rd September) Apple pushed a new version of iTunes for Windows via the Microsoft store that appears to fix the problem. Suggest you try upgrading to version 12121.1.54014.0. It worked for me, good luck! :-)

Yeah, I've had this issue too. Figured out 3 workarounds:

1. If you have older than 12121.1 version: uninstall and install latest version of iTunes via Microsoft Store. CHECK. If this doesn't solve, then goto step 2:
2. Repair iTunes. Select This computer -> Remove or change software -> choose iTunes, ADDITIONAL parameters (or Advanced options) -> RESET. CHECK. If it doesn't solve the problem, goto step 3:
3. Set your Windows 10 system locale as English (American), CHECK.

I've had 12121.1 and done only step 2 and it worked for me. Hope this helps, cheers!

For anyone that had this problem upon updating to iTunes 12.12.0, I would advise taking blackwest's advice and then updating to iTunes 12.11.0. That has fixed the problem for me and has made it so iTunes can read my library. The version 12.4.3 would not read said library. Running Apple Update will show versions 12.11.0 and 12.12.0 with both checked. Uncheck 12.12.0 and you're good to go.

Just a little bit more on the point, it was not so straightforward for me. Version 12.11 would not install immediately, but the installer recommended selecting "Download Only" from the installer window pulldown menu. This opens an Explorer window with two setup files. Before doing anything else, make sure you uninstall all other instances of iTunes that may still be on your PC. Then double-click on iTunes64.msi. This starts the installation of v12.11, then everything else goes fine.

This worked for me on Windows 10 64-bit. Thanks.

Download iTunes 12.4.3 from the above link Blackwest gave. Then start Apple Software Update. It will show 12.11 and 12.12. I unchecked 12.12 like Anchann suggested. And then after a reboot it works.

Then quickly select "dont download updates automatically".

Very frustrating that this is even possible. A silly (forced?) update and the whole thing just doesn't work....

Just had this issue after updating itunes on my Windows 10 pc yesterday. Changed language setting in Windows from English (United Kingdom) to English (United States) and itunes opens ok. I assume that Apple are working on a fix for this, so that I can go back to English UK?

My Itunes has always been in English(United States). Anyway, I resolved my situation by removing completely Itunes from my laptop and re installed it (version 12.11.3.17). Everything now works as before ...

The latest version of iTunes for windows only works if widows is set to use English - United States as it's display language.

Will not on any other language including English - Canada & English - United Kingdom

Hopefully this is not intentional

Did you lost all of your library when you uninstall iTunes or the library appears normally when you uninstall and install the version 12.11.3.17?

And did you uninstall only iTunes or iTunes, Bonjour and other apps too?

I've done this, and now have an iTunes that I can use. Thank you. However, anything I've changed in my playlists in the last two years has been lost, and my library is a two year old version as well. Any idea how I can retrieve the playlists and tracks I had on iTunes last night which have now all disappeared?

Same problem.

I also tried to uninstall iTunes completely, but I only downloaded the installation file from the Apple site (iTunes64Setup.exe 12.11.3.17) because, on the Microsoft site, iTunes is now not currently available.

By starting the installation it notifies me that a newer version of iTunes is already on the PC.

I'm in total confusion.

Please help me.

I've been having problems since yesterday morning. I downloaded it a few times from the Apple site. I rebooted my Windows 11 laptop a number of times. The day before yesterday I migrated to ios15 on my iPhone 8.

With today's reinstall I noticed it using up disk space and not freeing it up when I uninstalled. I use iTunes to back up my iPhone. The backup said it backed up but there were no files created.

I have a space issue on my hard disk and this is not helping...

This morning (23rd September) Apple pushed a new version of iTunes for Windows via the Microsoft store that appears to fix the problem. Suggest you try upgrading to version 12121.1.54014.0. It worked for me, good luck! :-)

Installing the old version doesn't appear to work for me. Despite an extensive uninstall activity, I get a persistent error message "A newer version of itunes is already installed". I guess there's a registry entry somewhere.... Try as i might I don't appear to be able to work around this.