iTunes - Windows 8.1

Been having problems with iTunes on 8.1 launching and/or loading since October. After time here and there yesterday, I FINALLY got it to run after numerous attempts of uninstalling all of iTunes and its components, rebooting, Windows Updates, ann re-installing.

iTunes now works however it now will not recognize any of my devices. After hours of uninstalling and re-installing again, I downloaded 12.1 for 64 bits (with older video devices). If recognized my iPOD only once, just long enough for me to sync and now it is not recognizing it again. I keep getting the message "An iPod has been detected but could not be recognized properly. Please disconnect, then re-connect this iPod again. If the problem persists uninstall, and then re-install iTunes again.

I've read many similar articles regarding this and it seems like many are having similar problems and it takes a whole lot of work to fix what should be a simple issue. Apple Mobile Device Support is not being installed with the 12.1 update, or there are some serious compatibility problems with iTunes and Windows 8.

Please fix, way too much time wasted on this.