Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 2

202 points

Service ‘iPod Service’ (iPod Service) could not be installed...

Every time I've updated iTunes 10 using the standalone installer (all I ever use), the installation has halted with this error message, "Service 'iPod Service' (iPod Service) could not be installed. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to install system services." It gives me the "Abort, Retry, Fail" buttons, I choose "Abort", it rolls back saying the system hasn't been modified (false, it has, in multiple ways), I reboot, run the installer again, and it succeeds. Rebooting is required, as rerunning without rebooting just results in the same error message. I found this web page describing the problem months ago:

http://planetmediocrity.com/2010/09/itunes-10-installation-problem-and-solution/

As you can see, I modified the suggested fix slightly, and I think my method is better than restarting the computer while the installer is still running, which I think is bad advice. My method certainly works; the service is disabled after I abort setup, and it is deleted when I reboot. However, it's annoying to have to do it. The comments section links to a thread here, but the DEP stuff does not apply. I'm not aware there's any solution. It's been happening for every iTunes 10 upgrade, including the last two 10.2.xx versions. Turning off resident antivirus software does not apply, nor is it likely that any of the usual laundry list suggestions will work (in general, they never do). I had the problem with my original Windows 7 x64 installation, and I still have it in my fresh Windows 7 x64 w/ integrated SP1 installation, using an Administrator account for both. Is anyone else observing this?

Message was edited by: jon8979

iPod Touch 64gb 4th gen, iOS 4, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 PC

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 3:01 PM

29 replies

jon8979 Author

Level 2

202 points

Feb 2, 2014 3:22 AM in response to rickybpta

rickybpta wrote:

steps below worked for me ( windows 7 x86/32bits )

close SysInternals's Process Explorer ( if you have it and it's open )

It's been almost 3 years since I started this thread and quite a few iTunes updates, some of which I've noted, and finally some progress. I always have Process Explorer running, because I like the CPU usage graph it puts in the notification area. It never occurred to me it could interfere with installers, because I install a lot of software, and iTunes is the only one that's been failing. Anyway, before installing the latest iTunes update, I closed Process Explorer, and the iTunes installer completed successfully. That's the only thing that was different. So, either Apple finally fixed the problem, or it was Process Explorer all along. I haven't tried to determine which one it was, but it would be a mighty big coincidence for it to be the former. Thanks very much for your post.

Feb 5, 2014 4:50 AM in response to jon8979

For what it's worth, the following fixed it for me:

1) Uninstall the previous version of iTunes

2) REBOOT (this was required, Windows appeared to do additional cleanup of files and services during reboot)

3) Install new version of iTunes from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

For 1), uninstalling some other programs might also be needed. Try these steps:

Go into Control Panel > Programs & Features

Remove these applications:

1. Apple Software Update

2. Apple Mobile Device Support

3. iTunes

4. QuickTime

Hope this helps,

Matthew

jon8979 Author

Level 2

202 points

Feb 26, 2014 4:24 PM in response to jon8979

jon8979 wrote:

rickybpta wrote:

steps below worked for me ( windows 7 x86/32bits )

close SysInternals's Process Explorer ( if you have it and it's open )

It's been almost 3 years since I started this thread and quite a few iTunes updates, some of which I've noted, and finally some progress. I always have Process Explorer running, because I like the CPU usage graph it puts in the notification area. It never occurred to me it could interfere with installers, because I install a lot of software, and iTunes is the only one that's been failing. Anyway, before installing the latest iTunes update, I closed Process Explorer, and the iTunes installer completed successfully. That's the only thing that was different. So, either Apple finally fixed the problem, or it was Process Explorer all along. I haven't tried to determine which one it was, but it would be a mighty big coincidence for it to be the former. Thanks very much for your post.

And 11.1.5 makes it two updates in a row that installed fine after closing Process Explorer.

mbriody

Level 1

2 points

Feb 27, 2014 1:57 AM in response to rickybpta

rickybpta wrote:

steps below worked for me ( windows 7 x86/32bits )

close SysInternals's Process Explorer ( if you have it and it's open )

close all Task Manager(s)

close Windows Services console ( services.msc )

close all command prompts ( cmd.exe )

open a cmd.exe as Admin

run: sc create "iPod Service" binpath= "C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe"

close all command prompts ( cmd.exe )

open Windows Services console ( services.msc )

look for "iPod Service", see if it's not Disabled. If so, start it

close Windows Services console ( services.msc )

Run iTunes.msi again ( previously downloaded via the Apple Software Update's Only Download function )

Thank you - this finally resolved it without a reboot. I didn't even abort the installer, just switched away when I got the error, followed the above, switched back and selected retry. All good!

Mar 1, 2014 3:14 AM in response to jon8979

Hi, Had to resort to usual uninstall/install on 11.1.5 but subsequently picked up Ransomware virus which even blocked start up in Safe Mode so had to get professional help who also did a clean up. Computer returned with 11.1.4 installed so tried update to 11.1.5 which went straight through no problems. Perhaps therefore this is not Apple's fualt.

dsnillo

Level 1

0 points

Aug 8, 2014 5:43 PM in response to mbriody

All I had to do was close Sysinternals Process Explorer.

Feb 22, 2015 1:31 PM in response to jon8979

This worked for me too!

I had the installer run it came up with the error dialog "Abort, Retry, Ignore".
I clicked retry, dialog came up again.
Closed Process Explorer
I clicked retry again, and it continued without issue.

Very happy because it's been happening for at least 3 years for me!

Aug 2, 2015 2:40 PM in response to jon8979

OMG i cant believe it.

all these years with iTunes NOT installing and always getting the iPod service install error.

i closed process explorer and VOILA install quick and no errors.

thank you!

Aug 2, 2015 2:42 PM in response to rickybpta

THANK YOU!!!!

ismc20

Level 1

70 points

Aug 2, 2015 4:30 PM in response to jon8979

Resolve iOS update and restore errors in iTunes - Apple Support

Sep 28, 2015 5:07 PM in response to jon8979

Ugh. The solution of shutting down Process Explorer is ironic in a way. But it seemed to work for what I was trying to do -- upgrade iTunes so I could get my iPad to connect. Thanks for posting this fix!

Dear Apple, please change iTunes installer to provide a more comprehensive solution than the error message specified. Better yet, suggest shutting down Process Explorer if it is detected. Thank you.

May 23, 2016 6:04 AM in response to jon8979

Stopping Process Explorer absolutely fixed this for me to the point where I stopped it and then clicked "Retry" on the error message and it picked up where it left off and finished flawlessly.

Jun 14, 2016 11:37 AM in response to jon8979

This was the magic bullet! Simply closing Process Explorer fixed the problem Bizarre! The update runs fine on my work laptop, even with Process Explorer running.

luqmanux

Level 1

4 points

Mar 29, 2017 3:41 AM in response to jon8979

It happened today and sysinternals process explorer ws the culprit, closed it and voila all worked fine and install went OK, many thanks!

Service ‘iPod Service’ (iPod Service) could not be installed...