iTunes is loading slowly on my desktop
iTunes is extremely slow to load (15 minutes or so) and, in fact, appears only in the Task Manager. I can no longer transfer it to the desktop.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
I don't have a definitive answer for you but....
The short answer is that:
I suspect that the April update of Windows 10 has thrown a spanner in the works (it's that update that's causing the issue). Persevere with closing and re-opening iTunes and even restarting your computer until iTunes opens without fuss. If all else fails, try again tomorrow (as I think that may help sort out the issue. See the Final Thoughts paragraph, below).
If you are using Windows 11, this may not occur on those machines. I have no information about Windows 11.
The long answer is that:
the April update of Windows 10 appears to have introduced a strange phenomenon:
- I opened a programme (let's call it prog 1 - it wasn't iTunes) on PC 1 (my desktop) yesterday morning and it became stuck on the splash screen (the application's opening logo). It didn't appear in Task Manager and I had trouble closing it. After several fruitless attempts to open the programme, eventually I managed to open it by using Windows Explorer to find the application's file. I did suspect at the time that it was due to something in Windows rather than the application itself
- I opened the same programme (prog 1) on PC 2 (my laptop) yesterday morning with no issue. However...* I think I can explain that. See Final Thoughts, below
- I tried to open a different programme (prog 2) on PC 3 (another laptop) and while the programme did open, it remained firmly on the Taskbar and nothing I did would cause it to appear on the desktop itself. Once again, it took several attempts to close and re-start the programme (as well as a restart of the computer) before I could get the programme to open correctly. Prog 1 on PC3 opened without fuss
- I have just tried to open prog 1 on PC 2 this morning and sure enough, there was a noticeably severe delay at the splash screen before it opened up. Even then, the content of the programme was initially missing and I've left the laptop still working on displaying the remainder of the files it should have. I don't have prog 2 on PC 2, so I have no results for that
* Final Thoughts:
the April update to Windows 10 has added an empty folder to our computers. I am not going to name that folder here because my research suggests that although it is an approved Microsoft folder, the very clear instruction is do not delete that folder because it is somehow part of a security patch that is now protecting your computer.
I believe the reason that prog 2 opened without any problem on PC 2 yesterday is because that update (and hence the addition of the culprit folder) only took place at 3:30pm. In other words, after I had successfully opened prog 1 on it. I know that the culprit folder was installed on PC 1 several days ago (on 9th April). I didn't check, but I suspect that it was added to PC 3 several days ago too.
It would appear that each computer will experience similar issues but with different programmes.
To be very clear: I advise against working out which folder is possibly causing this temporary issue, but if you do, do not delete it. If you do delete it, you will almost certainly experience more problems. I'm sure that Microsoft are now aware of the issues and will either be letting the issue resolve itself or they will bring out a further update to remove it.