Q: iTunes won't uninstall/reinstall and says the software is not installed to read my iPod.
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Jan 19, 2016 4:34 PMby turingtest2,Try repairing Apple Software Update from the Programs and Features control panel, then reinstall iTunes.
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 installation or performance issues, or compatibility with QuickTime or third party software.
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
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Jan 19, 2016 6:53 PMby Blackwell0511,First, thank you for replying so quickly, your help got me a little further this time! I tried removing the items one by one in the control panel and using the regedit for the .msi things. I deleted those folders and then went back to the control panel to uninstall everything else. After doing this, it would not let me uninstall the things named "iTunes, Apple Application Support (32 bit), Apple Application Support (64 Bit), or Apple Mobile Device Support." It told me that "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed." I tried restarting my computer and installing iTunes again, which actually ran all the way through and acted like it finished installing ok. However, when I connected my iPod it once again told me that the correct device software was not installed and to try running the installer again. Anything else I can try? I really appreciate your help, thanks again.
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Jan 19, 2016 7:25 PMby Blackwell0511,Also, when I found the folders for (eg) C:\Program Files\iTunes but it wouldn't but I only found them for iTunes and iPod and it wouldn't let me delete them, it said "This action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program."
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Jan 20, 2016 12:52 PMby Blackwell0511,Ok, I got a little further this time, but now I'm back to where I started. I ran the Fixit and it took care of everything except for Apple Application Support (32 Bit), at least I think it took care of everything else, it said there was still a problem with everything I tried to uninstall but when I went back to the Control Panel the items were no longer under the uninstall list. I then tried to reinstall iTunes, which went smoothly, except for the very end where it told me that "Apple Mobile Device Service failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services." I thought that may have had to do with the "Change user account control settings" section so i set it to "never notify me." and uninstalled iTunes again and restarted my computer. I then tried to reinstall iTunes again but got the same "Apple Mobile Device Support failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services" message as before. Any suggestions? Thank you so much for your help!
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Jan 20, 2016 2:03 PMby turingtest2,Make sure to run the installer as the administrator.
Disable AV while installing.
See Restart the Apple Mobile Device Service (AMDS) on Windows - Apple Support
Try the Install missing components section.
tt2
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Jan 20, 2016 4:12 PMby Blackwell0511,Ok, I think I'm down to trying the 7zip for the "Apple Mobile Device Services" but I haven't tried it yet because I don't really understand how to do it. I tried starting the AMDS but it gave me an "error 2: the system cannot find the file specified" message. Any specific instructions for the 7zip that you know are correct? I googled it but I don't want to try it until I know for sure how to do it. Thank you for sticking with me on this.
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Jan 20, 2016 6:09 PMby turingtest2,It is quite easy. Download and install 7-Zip from the link in the user tip, then right-click on the downloaded iTunes setup file and use the menu item 7-Zip > Extract to <Folder>, open the folder and double-click on the AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi file to install it.
tt2
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Jan 22, 2016 5:49 PMby Blackwell0511,So close (I hope!) The 7-zip worked fine (definitely easier than I was expecting) but when I tried to install the Mobile Device Support I once again got the "The system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation" message and it won't allow me to install, what do I do? I am so sorry this is taking so long, you've helped me so much.
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Jan 23, 2016 11:39 AMby turingtest2,Can you make a new runas key below shell as described? I found that article based on a hunch that you might need to run the .MSI as an administrator to override that policy warning, but I've no idea why you're getting that. It does seem that some systems that have been upgraded to Windows 10 may have more trouble with iTunes updates than normal.
tt2
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Jan 23, 2016 12:55 PMby Blackwell0511,Since the folders would only open as far as the .msi part, I thought that might have been far enough, so I tried finishing everything like the article said, but when I right-clicked the Apple Mobile Device Support folder the "run as administrator" option still wasn't available. It did let me make the runas key, but since the folder didn't open any further than the .msi part anyway I don't know what good it did. Also, I just realized that article was for Windows 10, but my computer's back on Windows 7 at the moment (I thought iTunes just didn't like the upgrade so I switched it back to 7, that's when nothing would uninstall and I originally posted this question.) Could that be why I'm having this much trouble? I can switch it back if these changes for sure work on Windows 10. Thank you for sticking with this.
