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K Gazow Author

Level 1

0 points

iTunes Update: Installer has Insufficient Privileges

"The installer has insufficient privileges to access this directory. C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start\Menu\Programs\iTunes. The installer cannot continue. Log on as administrator or contact your system administrator."

System specs: Windows 7, x32 or x64, fully patched & SP'd

I just worked with my cousin in Colorado over Skype to get this resolved. This is a fairly obscure error, and if you try to edit the permissions of the folder, run the installer as an administrator, log on as an administrator and run it, no actions seemed to resolve the problem. We did get it fixed, which involved the following steps. Not all of these may be strictly required, but hey, it worked for me. ;-)

1. Download the latest iTunes installer

2. Rt. click the installer, select 'Properties'

3. Click on 'Unblock', then click Apply, then OK.

4. Click on the Windows icon and type 'uac' (no quotes)

5. Click on 'Change User Account Control Settings'

6. Move the slider down to 'Never Notify' (NOTE: This will require a reboot)

7. Rt. click the installer and select 'Run as administrator' from the context menu

8. Let the installer complete (it should now)

9. Open 'Change User Account Control Settings'

10. Return the slider to the position you found it on (likely 2nd from the top)

Hopefully this helps you resolve this issue. All the best, iTuners!

Kurt

iTunes Installer-OTHER, Windows 7, Installer, Insufficient privileges

Posted on Mar 12, 2012 6:54 PM

60 replies

Nov 28, 2013 9:01 AM in response to 121andrew

ok, here is exactly what i did....

1. http://www.howtogeek.com/downloads/TakeOwnership.zip

download this and unzip, double click on the installtakeownership.reg and allow it to install to your registry.

2. go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu and right click on the "Programs" folder, and "take ownership" after that try installing iTunes again. it should work

Nov 28, 2013 9:07 AM in response to zacwhite01

I googled ProgramData, and apparently that's a Vista thing, and not on Windows 7.

I've tried going to Program files etc, but I can't find a folder named "Microsoft" anywhere.

Sorry if I seem dumb, but I'm really trying my best here.

Nov 28, 2013 9:10 AM in response to 121andrew

its actually a hidden folder, open explorer, click on organize (in the upper left) and click on "folder and search options" then click on the view tab, and under hidden files and folders, select "show hidden files, folders, and drives. then hit ok, after that click on c:\ and you will see ProgramData

Nov 28, 2013 9:11 AM in response to 121andrew

if your still having trouble with it, go ahead and shoot me an email zacwhite01@gmail.com

Nov 28, 2013 9:16 AM in response to zacwhite01

I know you left your email, but talking here probably seems a bit quicker.

I tried that, I got that folder and everything, but when I clicked "Take Ownership" on the Programs folder, and tried installing iTunes, it didn't work.

I did everything you said, but I'm still having the issue.

Do you know what could be wrong?

Nov 28, 2013 9:18 AM in response to 121andrew

honestly at this point, i would have to actually look at it to determine the issue. but i am honestly thinking your registry may somehow be corrupt.

Nov 28, 2013 9:19 AM in response to zacwhite01

..and how do you fix a corrupt registry?

Nov 28, 2013 9:22 AM in response to 121andrew

http://sourceforge.net/projects/littlecleaner/

download and install this program, afterwards, run it, click on scan registry. it will detect any issues. then once its done scanning click on fix problems. once thats done, restart your computer and try to install iTunes

Nov 28, 2013 9:42 AM in response to zacwhite01

THANK YOU!

I was waiting for it to install, and had to sign in again, so sorry for taking a while.

iTunes is installed and seems to be working, so thank you very much.

I really appreciate it. 🙂

Nov 28, 2013 9:46 AM in response to 121andrew

my pleasure 🙂.

Dec 22, 2013 2:59 PM in response to wilsonczr

This also worked for me when getting the start menu insufficient privileges error.

Dec 26, 2013 10:15 PM in response to K Gazow

I am trying to update the new version of iTunes 11.1.3 from what I have installed, 11.0.2. I have used both Firefox and IE to try and download iTunes. The iTunes site states I have successfully downloaded iTunes but it is not in my dowload file. I have received the following errors:

1. iTunes starts installing then I get an Apples Software Update Error - Errors occurred while installing the updates. If the problem persistes, choose Tools>Download Only and try installing manually. I have done the manual download with no success and receiving this error:

2, iTunes The installer has insufficient privileges to access this directory: c:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\iTunes. The installation cannot continue. Log on as administrator or contact your system administrator. I am the system administrator.and

3. The iPhone cannot be used because it requires iTunes version 11.1 or later. Go to www.itunes.com to download the latest version of iTunes

Thank you for anyone who can help!

Dec 26, 2013 10:20 PM in response to mother1986

here is how to fix your issue:

1. http://www.howtogeek.com/downloads/TakeOwnership.zip

download this and unzip, double click on the installtakeownership.reg and allow it to install to your registry.

2. open windows explorer, click on organize, select folder and search options, click on the view tab, and select "show hidden files, folders, and drives". then click ok.

3. go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu and right click on the "Programs" folder, and "take ownership" after that try installing iTunes again. it should work

Dec 26, 2013 10:30 PM in response to zacwhite01

Am giving it a go right now; thank you and I'll let you know in a moment.

Dec 26, 2013 10:37 PM in response to mother1986

I have a Thank You for Dowloading Itunes but no itunes file in my download folder :-(

iTunes Update: Installer has Insufficient Privileges