iTunes on Windows 11 - severe audio malfunction when using audio interfaces

My computer encounters severe audio problems when using iTunes - the only program I've used so far that appears to have these issues.

While playing music in iTunes, no matter what I do within Windows - be it clicking the mouse (anywhere, on anything), scrolling webpages, or even simply MOVING the mouse, the audio stutters for every single instance of a mouse movement, or anything happening within Windows.

It renders iTunes completely unusable, and this is quite upsetting to me, a lifelong iTunes user who has a massive library of music, and someone who has spent a considerable amount of money on the iTunes Store.

Please someone help! I'm using MusicBee for now, as it's proven to be a stable alternative to iTunes, but I just miss iTunes ease of use and interface simplicity. There just isn't another program like iTunes, and I guess I've been using it for so long, I'm just set in my ways.

Please, I'm actually desperate for help!

I should note that I am routing my audio through a PreSonus StudioLive AR12c, using it in the USB audio interface mode. And yes, I have tried it with just normal PC speakers using the motherboard's audio out, and there was no stuttering issues. But I have also tried it with my older audio interface, a Steinberg UR824, and the issues persisted with that interface as well.

In fact, the only reason why I bought the PreSonus interface was because I was sure that it was the Steinberg interface causing the stuttering issues, but I was even more horrified to discover that, in fact, my new $800 audio interface was also stuttering in iTunes. Which leaves the issue being... an iTunes issue.

Any help would be sincerely and greatly appreciated.