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Level 1

28 points

iTunes version 12.12.0.6 only works on English-language Windows, crashes on startup when Windows UI is in a different language

As several people (including myself) are currently discussing, the latest iTunes for Windows, version 12.12.0.6, often crashes on startup complaining about missing required files; this only happens with the latest version, and it has been suggested as a temporary fix to install an older one.

After a lot of investigation, it has been discovered that this is a language-related bug: it only happens on non-english systems (Italian and German have been tested); if the Windows UI is in English, iTunes works correctly.

Also, this is specifically related to the Windows UI language: regional settings such as time/date format and keyboard layout don't change the outcome, and selecting any language for iTunes itself during the iTunes setup doesn't affect the issue.

Hope this helps in finding and fixing the bug.

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 6:23 AM

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Massimo80 Author

Level 1

28 points

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 8:18 AM

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

This bug seems to affect all Windows languages which are not en-US (English - United States), including all English language variants (such as en-UK).

I have personally reported the bug to Apple Support, but there is really nothing else we can do until they fix it.

If you are in a hurry to get iTunes working on your system, you need to switch your Windows UI language to en-US; nothing else will work at the moment.

Also discussed here.

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86 replies

lemarlou

Level 1

8 points

Sep 21, 2021 7:49 PM in response to Cequela

This problem I no longer have as my entire library has been uploaded to Apple Music. (1TB of songs)

Subscribing to Apple Music has its perks. We gain an unlimited cloud to our library as well.

hmlai

Level 1

8 points

Sep 21, 2021 9:14 PM in response to Massimo80

Chinese version does not work too!

Sep 21, 2021 9:45 PM in response to Chris-Clark

As mentioned several times the only system language not affected by this bug is U.S. English. Install it, set it to default. Takes 3 minutes.

aschb01

Level 1

4 points

Sep 22, 2021 1:15 AM in response to Massimo80

Same Problem in Switzerland (German). Switched back to 12.11.0.26 and it work's fine again.

aschb01

Level 1

4 points

Sep 22, 2021 1:41 AM in response to aschb01

12.11.4.15 Version works, too. Apple Software Update has changed to the older version and removed the bad one.

hmlai

Level 1

8 points

Sep 22, 2021 2:04 AM in response to aschb01

Yes, I rolled back to 12.11 version and it is fine for Chinese Win 10 now. So do not upgrade to 12.12 if you are using non English Window 10.

genakatz

Level 1

12 points

Sep 22, 2021 3:23 AM in response to Massimo80

It also does not start in Hebrew

KcjK1UK

Level 1

8 points

Sep 22, 2021 4:10 AM in response to KcjK1UK

By the way, switch back to English-UK and the error comes back again.

lemarlou

Level 1

8 points

Sep 22, 2021 4:14 AM in response to Massimo80

This is the sad moment that the programmer forgot to test other languages before releasing a version.

🧐

Sep 22, 2021 5:19 AM in response to Massimo80

Another language affected would be Polish.

Sep 22, 2021 8:21 AM in response to Massimo80

The english language version is also affected. I have had to uninstall 12.12 and install an older version.

Cequela

Level 1

8 points

Sep 22, 2021 10:39 AM in response to hmlai

how do you downgrade your iTunes version without lose all of your library?

Sep 22, 2021 11:05 AM in response to Cequela

This is for a windows install. Uninstall i-tunes after finding it in apps and then download from apple using the following link.

Sep 22, 2021 12:46 PM in response to Cequela

The link I provided installs an older version so should work. It worked on my laptop. After installation it will prompt you to update to the newest version. Don't.

Sep 22, 2021 1:58 PM in response to Massimo80

Brilliant! Thank you so much!

iTunes version 12.12.0.6 only works on English-language Windows, crashes on startup when Windows UI is in a different language