Level 1

5 points

Cannot install iTunes on windows 7 64bit

Okay, I like so many cannot install iTunes on Windows 7 64bit.

Now Orginally I got a message saying something to the effect of:

There was a problem with the install you do not have permission for something...

Through some investigating my iTunes was being installed and removing all my permissions to view and/or modify files within that folder. Even if I was logged in as admin and installed as admin all the permissions would simply block me out.

This kind of had a familar feeling as in the last few versions of iTunes I had to run as admin just to open it (this is really annoying by the way)

So I searched the net and many people were saying to uninstall everything "Apple" and try again. So I did that. Now I have this new message:

there is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor.

And again I scoured the internet for a way to fix this. I apparently am supposed to goto Control Pannel/Programs and Features and select Apple Software Update and select repair. The problem is that no longer exists in my programs list since I removed it in the earlier step. iTunes still refuses to install spitting out the same error forever. I tried the Microsoft "fix it" tool which is supposed to remove the Apple Software Update incomplete uninstall (which is apparently the whole problem) but it doesn't show up in the list for "fixing".

I am at a loss. Why doesn't Apple fix this. I cannot update my iPhone to the latest software in fear I may need to restore it. With no iTunes that is impossible. I cannot change any of my music or do anything until this is resolved. If/when iPhone 5 comes out I cannot get it either unless this issue is taken care of somhow.

I searched for an installer for just the Apple Software Update program But it seems to not exist as a standalone thing (it would be useful if it were though). If it were perhaps I could install it again and then successfully remove/repair it and iTunes might install finally.

Now I have had previous versions of iTunes working perfectly fine. I do not recall which version I was using before I tried to update and fell into this abyss however.

Posted on May 31, 2012 5:55 PM

Top-ranking reply

turingtest2

Level 10

278,149 points

Posted on Nov 15, 2017 5:35 AM

For general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.

The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. Even if you've already uninstalled all Apple software there may be some files left behind which it would be useful to remove.

When you are ready to install right-click on the setup file and run the installer as administrator. It may also help to pre-install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable. In some cases you may also need to disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus software while installing. I've seen a number of cases where it was impossible to install iTunes without completely removing AV software.

Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.

The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, or want to revert to an older version if the current one won't work properly for you at the moment.

Your library and device backups should be unaffected by these steps but there are links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.

tt2

View in context

44 replies

Jan 25, 2014 4:27 AM in response to Doowaadiddy

I cannot download itune to my laptop. I kept getting this messageplease help. Thank you.

sf49fanv

Level 1

0 points

Feb 5, 2014 10:47 AM in response to tinyalice

I had the same issue. I uninstalled all Apple software: Bonjour, Safari and all Itunes. Ten I was able to reinstall I-Tunes with no issues.

HTH

Feb 6, 2014 7:42 PM in response to sf49fanv

Thank you so much for your suggestion. It worked after I deleted every Apple related program. Thanks.

denisefa

Level 1

4 points

Mar 16, 2014 9:31 AM in response to Doowaadiddy

I finally was able to solve this problem. After attempting install of latest update, with no success, I cleared all of the Apple-related files on my computer, not just the installed programs. I had the itunes.exe file sitting in my download folder; and when I right-clicked to "Run as Administrator", I noticed the dialog box included an "unblock" selection under the "advanced" selection. I "unblocked" the program, and itunes finally installed cleanly. I stumbled upon this by accident and hope that it works for others. I've been attempting to get itunes back on this desktop since February! Be sure to "run as administrator".

wgtn-nz

Level 1

0 points

Jul 1, 2014 3:02 AM in response to denisefa

Thanks denisefa for your post. I was having problems installing itunes on windows 7. I did set run as administrator (on right click) but didn't realise I also needed to unblock security under properties (on right click menu). After uninstalling previous failed installation software I was able to install itunes with no problem. Excellent!!

Jan 28, 2015 5:14 PM in response to denisefa

This worked:

I had the itunes.exe file sitting in my download folder; and when I right-clicked to "Run as Administrator"

Thanks much, loving iTunes radio now!

Oct 24, 2015 10:30 AM in response to sf49fanv

This is the fix! Still need to do this for the most recent update using windows 7 64 bit

elnphung

Level 1

0 points

Jan 1, 2016 10:05 PM in response to b noir

I had the same issue with "Windows Installer package" when installing iTunes 12.3 for Window 7. I went go to Control Panel/Programs/Uninstall a program then select "REPAIR" for Apple Software Update. After the repair, I was able to install new iTunes by right click and run as administrator.

Jan 1, 2016 10:13 PM in response to Doowaadiddy

After reading all of the posts in this discussion I didn't see anyone recommend that the entire issue can be caused by your antivirus or security software. Try disabling all antivirus or security software on your PC and then try downloading and reinstalling iTunes.

I am an experienced Windows sysadmin and had similar issues in the past while trying to install iTunes while either BitDefender or Windows Defender were running. Simply disabling them prior to download and installation solved the issue immediately.

Mar 25, 2016 11:55 AM in response to sf49fanv

Uninstalling Apple Software worked for me too.

When I tried to uninstall Apple Software Update through windows control panel, I got the same error message ("there is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor."), so I think that's where the problem was. I did a "repair" on Apple Software Update, then I was able to successfully uninstall it.

Then the Itunes install worked. Thanks

Manta123

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2016 5:48 AM in response to spoth001

Thanks for this, it was probably the apple software updater as I needed to repair this first before it would uninstall. Once all apple programs were gone, manged to install iTunes.

DawseNZ

Level 1

4 points

Jul 25, 2017 7:30 AM in response to FishingAddict

Boom - your fix sorted this problem for me straight away. I'd tried all of the other options listed here to no avail. Thanks a bunch!!

Jul 27, 2017 6:44 PM in response to Lee Schwartz

it worked thanks for people like you that explain it in laymen's terms🙂

turingtest2

Level 10

278,149 points

Oct 2, 2017 8:00 AM in response to VamNploojYaj

We're five years on from that first post.

If iTunes won't update because of an issue with Apple Software Update it may not always uninstall cleanly either. Repairing it first can often help.

tt2

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Cannot install iTunes on windows 7 64bit