iTunes 12.5.1.21 (Sept 2016) always forgets settings

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Level 1

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iTunes 12.5.1.21 (Sept 2016) always forgets settings

Since installing iTunes 12.5.1.21 I have to agree to license and give/decline Apple permission to share details of my library every time I start up iTunes. It also forgets all my settings like Shuffle/Albums.

I'm running on Windows 7, fully up to date.

I've tried various suggestions from the web, e.g. deleting

iTunesPrefs.xml from C:\Users\<MyAccount>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes

but no luck.

How can I fix this irritating problem, please?

Thanks

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 11:21 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Sep 21, 2016 4:21 AM in response to RoyGrubb

What antivirus package do you use? Excluding C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer from real time scans may help with this issue. Alternatively try using the right-click > run as administrator option on the iTunes shortcut and/or open iTunes once in its own safe mode which you get to by holding down ctrl+shift as you launch iTunes, and not releasing until you see a prompt.

tt2

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Answer 2

RoyGrubb Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 21, 2016 8:08 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks, for the reply. I tried all three suggestions, but my responses and settings changes still aren't sticky.

I use Avast for A-V.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Sep 21, 2016 8:10 AM in response to RoyGrubb

Try temporarily disabling Avast and see if you still get the same problem.

Test in a different user profile.

See also Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates. You could try a full tear down, then run the installer as the administrator when reinstalling.

tt2

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Answer 4

RoyGrubb Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 21, 2016 9:14 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks again.

I uninstalled, re-installed as admin, disabled Avast temporarily, started iTunes, responded 'Agree', 'No Thanks'.

Then closed iTunes and re-opened.

It still asks me to accept license agreement.

I'll try setting up another profile, and check out the troubleshooting link tomorrow.

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Sep 21, 2016 9:22 AM in response to RoyGrubb

See also Fix unexpected quits or launch issues in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support.

tt2

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Answer 6

RoyGrubb Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 22, 2016 2:00 AM in response to turingtest2

I tried Safe mode, same result.

I have done a full uninstall of all Apple s/w as described in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates, then re-installed. Still the same problem.

Then I went to another Windows rarely-used account (like my main one, it is an admin). Accepted license conditions, closed iTunes and reopened it. Then it did not ask for l.c. acceptance.

So I logged back on to my usual Windows account, tried again. iTunes was not remembering l.c. acceptance.

Then I set up a new library in that same Windows account, same result: iTunes was not remembering l.c. acceptance whether I opened the new library or the old one.

Then I tried old versions of the library - one from Sept 16th and one from May. The problem remained.

Now I've reverted to the current library.

Is there something in the registry I can change?

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Answer 7

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Sep 22, 2016 3:57 AM in response to RoyGrubb

In you main profile try renaming:

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer as

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer (Old)

then launch iTunes. Will it now remember any preferences you set?

Assuming that works, and if you have any iOS device backups, move the MobileSync folder from Apple Computer (Old) into Apple Computer so that iTunes can see these again.

tt2

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Answer 8

RoyGrubb Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 22, 2016 4:26 AM in response to turingtest2

OK, that did it. So far so good. Thanks for your patience and persistence!

Looks significant, given the nature of the problem, that the new folder has a sub-folder called 'Preferences' but the old one didn't.

In the Apple Computer (Old)\iTunes directory, there are the following folders and files:

folders

Cookies 1611

Device Support 0

iPad Software Updates 0

iPad Updater Logs 526,452

iPhone Carrier Support 40,829

iPhone Software Updates 0

iPhone Updater Logs 773,836

iPod Software Updates 285 MB

iPod Updater Logs 46,923

files

CD Info.cidb 6,200

com.apple.iTunes.Gracenote.plist 818

https_p27-buy.itunes.apple.com_0.localstorage 3,072

iTunesPrefs.xml 214

Should I copy any of the non-zero ones to the new Apple Computer\iTunes directory? Not the logs, I imagine.

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