Q: Itunes 12.1.1.4 crashes in windows 7 since itunes update.

See HT203206: iTunes for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8: Fix unexpected quits or launch issues.

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. 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 the iTunes for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) release as a workaround for performance issues or compatibility with QuickTime or third party software.

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

tt2

Working fine here.

Will it open in iTunes safe mode without crashing? (Hold down shift & control as you launch it).

Does it work properly in another profile?

tt2

Testing the behaviour in a new profile should reveal if the issue you experience is related to your profile only, or the whole system. It isn't intended as a workaround, but to guide what steps are best to try next. Starting once in iTunes Safe Mode can be enough to fix things for some users. Signing out of the iTunes store may help, as may clearing the iTunes store cache. In some cases it may be necessary to remove some of the iTunes preference files from your profile. Given that iTunes is able to run when you are disconnected from the internet the first link I posted should provide the right advice.

tt2

Since the last update, iTunes crashes every time when I go to shut it down ("windows has detected...etc). I too have a large music list (82,000 songs), so after this crash, restarting iTunes takes around 20 minutes while it rebuilds the library. This is very frustrating and needs to be fixed please.

What build of iTunes?

What version of Windows?

What anti-virus software do you have?

Have you started iTunes in its own safe mode by holding down ctrl+shift as you launch?

tt2

12.5.1

Windows 7

ESET Nod32

No, but that would require me sitting with those buttons held down for close to half an hour whilst it rebuilt the library....

All worked perfectly until I installed the latest update last Friday!

Try checking ESET real time scanner settings. See if you can exclude the iTunes folder and all subfolders from being checked. You can also test behavior with the AV disabled to see if iTunes is able to successfully open, close and then reopen without any problems. I suspect the damage is done on exit so you'll probably still have to do at least one rebuild.

If you have 64-bit Windows you could try the "for older video cards" version. This is a 64-bit installer for the 32-bit core application. Some users have found this build works better for them.

The iTunes is running in safe-mode prompt comes up after a couple of seconds and is activated before the library is accessed, in a similar fashion to the way that shift-starting iTunes is used to switch between library files.

Just looking at the earlier mention of disconnecting from the Internet. Try signing out of the store, use edit Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Reset Cache, then sign in again. This may help.

tt2

Thanks, will give these a try when I get back home to the PC that controls my music....but as it all worked perfectly before....can I take my iTunes back to the older working version until this is fixed?

Roll back advice is given in the Further information section of the tip.

tt2