I can't uninstall Apple Software Update.

In trying to uninstall ITunes, I was given a checklist from Apple Support to uninstall certain programs in a specific order. I need to reinstall ITunes, and they said that I needed to remove it first. I am running a Windows 7, 64 bit HP laptop. No program is removing this and it very specifically says to not remove them out of order.

Below are the instructions sent to me. (I tried to copy and paste. However, it doesn't look good, so I will include the link that Apple sent to me.)

Can someone please help?

Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

Learn how to completely uninstall iTunes and its related software components from Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.

In some rare instances, you might need to remove iTunes and related software components before reinstalling iTunes. If you're directed to reinstall iTunes by AppleCare, an article, or an alert dialog, you can do so by following the steps below.

If you're running Windows XP, see Removing and Reinstalling iTunes and other software components for Windows XP.

Media you've bought from the iTunes Store or songs you've imported from CDs are saved in your My Music folder by default. They won't be deleted by removing iTunes. Although it's highly unlikely that you'll lose any of your iTunes Library when following the steps below, first make sure that your iTunes library is backed up. See iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive for more information.

If you have issues installing iTunes, try the options outlined in Issues installing iTunes for Windows.

If you've received errors regarding inaccessible registry keys during installation, try the steps found in "Could not open key" message when installing iTunes, QuickTime or Apple components for Windows.

Steps

1. Remove iTunes and related components from the Control Panel.Use the Control Panel to uninstall iTunes and related software components in the following order. Then restart your computer.
   1. iTunes
   2. Apple Software Update
   3. Apple Mobile Device Support
   4. Bonjour
   5. Apple Application Support (iTunes 9 or later)
   Don't uninstall these components in a different order, or only uninstall some of them. Doing so might have unintended affects.To remove the components:
   1. Quit the following programs if they are running:
      • iTunes
      • Apple Software Update
   2. Windows 8: Click File Explorer > Settings > Control Panel.
      Windows Vista or Windows 7: From the Start menu, click Control Panel.
   3. In Control Panel, click "Uninstall a program." The Programs and Features Control Panel will open.
      
      Alternately, if you don't see "Uninstall a program," click Programs and Features.
      
   4. Select iTunes.
   5. Click Uninstall.
      On some systems, iTunes might install two versions of Apple Application Support. This is expected. If both are present, be sure to uninstall both versions.
   6. When asked if you would like to remove iTunes, choose Yes.
   7. After the uninstallation is complete, don't restart your computer if you're prompted.
   8. If you see other iTunes entries in the list, remove them by repeating steps 4–6.
   9. Using steps 4–6, also remove all instances of:
      • Apple Software Update
      • Apple Mobile Device Support
      • Bonjour
      • Apple Application Support
   10. Restart your computer.
2. Make sure that iTunes and its related components are completely uninstalled.In most cases, removing iTunes and its related components from the Control Panel will remove all supporting files belonging to those programs. In some rare cases, files might be left behind. After following the steps above, confirm that the following files and folders have been removed. If any are left, remove them.
   • C:\Program Files\Bonjour
   • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support
   • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support
   • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\CoreFP
   • C:\Program Files\iTunes\
   • C:\Program Files\iPod\
     Follow these additional steps if you receive a "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program." message.
   If you have a 64-bit version of Windows, confirm that the following folders have been removed:
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\CoreFP
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\iPod\
     Follow these additional steps if you receive a "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program." message.
   To remove these files:
   1. Windows Vista or Windows 7: From the Start menu, select Computer.
      Windows 8: Click File Explorer.
   2. Open Local Disk (C:) located in Computer, or whichever hard disk your programs are installed on.
   3. Open the Program Files folder.
   4. Right-click the Bonjour folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   5. Right-click the iPod folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
      Follow these additional steps if you receive a "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program." message.
   6. Right-click the iTunes folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   7. Open the Common Files folder.
   8. Open the Apple folder.
   9. Right-click the Mobile Device Support folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   10. Right-click the Apple Application Support folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   11. Right-click the CoreFP folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows, continue with step 12. Otherwise, skip to step 23.
   1. Windows Vista or Windows 7: From the Start menu, select Computer.
      Windows 8: Click File Explorer.
   2. Open Local Disk (C:) located in Computer, or whichever hard disk your programs are installed on.
   3. Open the Program Files (x86) folder.
   4. Right-click the Bonjour folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   5. Right-click the iPod folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
      Follow these additional steps if you receive a "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program." message.
   6. Right-click the iTunes folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   7. Open the Common Files folder.
   8. Open the Apple folder.
   9. Right-click the Mobile Device Support folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   10. Right-click the Apple Application Support folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   11. Right-click the CoreFP folder (if it exists). Select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
   12. From the Start menu, select Computer.
   13. Open Local Disk (C:) in Computer, or whichever hard disk your operating system is installed on.
   14. Right-click the Recycle Bin and select Empty Recycle Bin.
3. Reinstall iTunes and related componentsAfter verifying that iTunes is completely uninstalled, restart your computer. Then download and install the latest version of iTunes.If the issue persists, look for more information on the iTunes Support page, including help with specific messages.

   iPodService.exe Alert

   Follow these steps if the message "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program" appears when you try to delete the iPod folder.
   1. Make sure that iTunes and the iPod Updater utility aren't open.
   2. Press and hold Control-Alt-Delete.
   3. Select Start Task Manager.
   4. Click the Processes tab.
   5. Locate the iPodService.exe in the list.
   6. Click iPodService.exe and choose End Process.
   7. Quit the Task Manager.

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

Last Modified: Jan 30, 2015