Cannot install iTunes 12.1.1 on Windows 7 (64 bit)

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Cannot install iTunes 12.1.1 on Windows 7 (64 bit)

Hello. I've tried to do this about 10 times now and it's driving me crazy. The new iTunes update installed first time and works fine on my laptop (Win 7 home premium, 32 bit) but it absolutely refuses to work on my desktop (Win 7 home premium, 64 bit, quad core, 8gb RAM, ample hard drive space). I've been using iTunes for years and had no problems with the previous version.

The installation hangs 75% of the way through each attempt, with the message "Service 'Apple Mobile Device Service' failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services". I then get 3 options of abort, retry and ignore. If I retry it just keeps coming back to the same message. If I ignore then the installation completes but I then get the message "iTunesHelper was not installed correctly. Please reinstall iTunes. Error 7". Then, every time I restart my machine or try to launch iTunes I get the message "iTunes was not installed correctly. Please reinstall iTunes. Error 7 (Windows error 193)".

Here's what I've tried, in various combinations:

ensured I have installed all windows updates
uninstalled all iTunes and related programmes in the order specified on the Apple support pages (via Control Panel and the executable file), restarted, removed all the associated folders and files (including all 32 and 64 bit versions) from the Program Files directory on my C drive (where the iTunes installation is located), verified that they are gone.
cleared cache and temporary internet files from my browser, emptied the recycle bin
uninstalled QuickTime
installed the executable iTunes package via "Run as administrator"
tried the "Repair" option from both Control Panel and via the executable file
unpacked the Apple Mobile Device Service separately and installed separately

And nothing makes any difference to the result. I can't help but think there that is some kind of incompatibility between the latest version of A.M.D.S. and the latest version of Windows 7 64 bit. I'm not interested in whether it's Apple's or Microsoft's fault but I would like a solution, even if that solution is reinstalling an older version of iTunes. I hope you can help.

iPod classic (120 GB), Windows 7

Posted on Feb 25, 2015 11:47 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

272,749 points

Feb 25, 2015 11:57 AM in response to teajaysea

A bit of repetition, mainly for the benefit of anyone else with the same issue. In your case the "for older video cards" version might be worth a try.

When cleaning folders you need to check both the Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders, which you may well have done but didn't mention in the detail above.

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

The section Install missing components has advice on breaking down the iTunes installer into the individual .msi files which might prove useful if Apple Mobile Device Support won't install normally.

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. 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, need to revert to an older version or want to try theiTunes for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) release as a workaround for performance issues or compatibility with third party software.

Your library should be unaffected by these steps but there is backup and recovery advice elsewhere in the user tip.

tt2

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Answer 2

teajaysea Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2015 3:48 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks, tt2.

After yet another comprehensive uninstall, the 64 bit version for older video cards worked at the first attempt. I'll always look out for that option in future.

Regards,

TJC

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

272,749 points

Feb 26, 2015 4:05 PM in response to teajaysea

You're welcome. 🙂

The link in my post above should get updated with the latest equivalent version at the same time, or within a day or so, of each new release.

tt2

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Answer 4

Munch00

Level 1

0 points

Feb 26, 2015 4:54 PM in response to turingtest2

Turingtest2,

thank you for the information. I tried the steps for the total removal of iTunes as listed in step 1 of your article and still have the same problem. I looked at step 2 and it looks like I will have to do this but do not understand how it works.

I understand that I would download the 7 file archiver but I do not know how it works to remove the app mobile device support section from the installer and how to install the section separately.

Could you provide me with the steps I need to take or direct me to an article that covers this?

Thank you

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

272,749 points

Feb 26, 2015 5:24 PM in response to Munch00

The steps in the second box are a removal guide.

The notes below explain how to remove components that won't uninstall.

7-Zip can be used to break down the setup file into constituent parts.

You can try installing these parts in order.

Or, having removed everything again, and if you have 64-bit Windows, you can try the "for older video cards" version. This may well work in cases where the normal 64-bit installer goes wrong. This version is similar to the 64-bit versions up to and including 12.0 which are 64-bit installers for mainly 32-bit code.

tt2

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Answer 6

Mar 30, 2015 2:06 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks so much tt2. Just found your post. My problem was the same as TJC's in almost every detail. It was driving me NUTS. I've no idea what 64-bit for older video cards even means, but it's solved the problem.

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Answer 7

turingtest2

Level 10

272,749 points

Mar 30, 2015 2:29 PM in response to stopping@waitrose

🙂

The "for older video cards" version is a 64-bit installer for mostly 32-bit code, similar to all releases of iTunes prior to 12.1. The latest all 64-bit versions of iTunes might not work properly on all 64-bit systems, and the issues may not always be related to the video card or its drivers.

tt2

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