Itunes freezes on Windows 10

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Level 1

9 points

Itunes freezes on Windows 10

Hello,

since yesterday (with no clear reason) iTunes (12.6.2) started almost completely freezing on my Windows 10 computer running the latest "Insider Preview" build. It has been running without problems before. This build of Windows has been installed on Sept. 2 and iTunes was running fine on it.

Practically iTunes is now unusable. I can click from time to time to change to a different screen (after up to 5 minutes waiting for a single click), so navigating is really impossible. It constantly uses about 16 to 20% CPU, doesn't ever idle.

- it does this even with all network cards disabled => it's not the router

- also after clean (following Apple procedure) uninstall + reinstall of 12.6.0, 12.6.1 and 12.6.2

- also after rollback to previous Windows 10 "Creators Edition" build

- no problem on other laptop with same build

- doesn't do it with a new (empty) library (or so it seems)

- does have the same problem with a backup copy of my library from the beginning of August

- disabling Store connections through Restrictions doesn't help

- some alerts regarding Bonjour in the Event Logs esp. at each start of iTunes ("ERROR: handle_resolve_request bad interfaceIndex 23 and "Client application bug:DNSServiceResolve (78:7e:61:c2:b2:ce@fe80:: 7a7e:61ff:fec2: b2ce. _apple-mobdev2._tcp.local.) active for over two minutes. This places considerable burden on the network.")

- tried installing separate Bonjour Printer driver, hoping it would resolve this => NOK

- transferred library to other computer: no problems at all, it's not corrupted.

Any ideas except for reinstalling my computer completely ?

null-OTHER, Windows 10, iTunes 12.6.2

Posted on Sep 11, 2017 4:54 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

kailia Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 11, 2017 9:24 AM in response to kailia

Oh, and I found what the issue was.

No problem with the files actually.

I needed to move one of my self-made PodCasts folders onto a network share, because it was getting too big for the laptop's drive.

Now iTunes hates UNC links and the like, and the only thing I found to work and still have the files show up in the library (and sync as PodCasts or Home Videos to devices) is to create Symbolic Links and make them read-only (else iTunes deletes them !).

BUT this makes it impossible for iTunes to move the files into it through the "Automatically add to iTunes" folder. Have to move the files myself manually then add them to the library 🙂

now if I could get the Store to work....

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

274,430 points

Sep 11, 2017 4:59 AM in response to kailia

Try the following in turn until iTunes opens/reopens normally:

Remove any SD card that might be in a card reader.
Exit the BTTray.exe Bluetooth utility if installed.
Locate the shortcut for iTunes, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator. Doing this once may fix certain launch issues. Some users were finding that with the 12.6.1.25 build they had to use this method every time and modified the shortcut accordingly.
Try holding ctrl+shift as you launch iTunes so it opens in safe-mode. Again doing this once may sometimes help.
Delete the iTunes shortcuts from the start menu, desktop, task bar, or similar, then repair iTunes from the programs and features control panel.
Try Fix unexpected quits or launch issues in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support and test the behaviour in a different user profile or with a different library. If the problem only exists in your profile it may be possible delete some of the iTunes preference files which it would seem that iTunes may be choking on. We can go into details later if the issue is limited to your own profile.
Temporarily disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus and see if that has any impact on the behaviour.
See the second box in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for detailed tear down and rebuild advice. Disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus software when reinstalling and run the installer as the administrator.
Or see the iTunes installers section of the troubleshooting tip and reinstall the last version that worked correctly for you.

tt2

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Answer 3

kailia Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 11, 2017 6:57 AM in response to turingtest2

Hi,

Thanks for the hints but I tried most of this already. Run as Admin didn't work. Safe mode neither. Antivirus: idem.

Library: already answered above. Other versions: tried that too. Can't use anything older than 12.6 with IOS 11 (Beta) anyway.

NOTE: even on PC where iTunes behaves kind of normally, the Store is unavailable. No error message, just a white screen in iTunes instead of the usual Store layout.

Computer is authorized for iTunes and iTunes account is logged on. I can get my Account Details, though. Just not the Store pages for Music, Apps, Movies or PodCasts.

Tried Sign Out in iTunes (from the Belgian store), tried my alternative accounts for the French and US stores: same thing, empty pages.

Running Network Diagnostics from iTune's Help menu gave: "Secure link to iTunes Store failed".

In details, I see there's a connection timeout.

Disabling the Firewall doesn't help...

.. anything else ?

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