iTunes Update, Repair, Uninstall Failed. Apple Software Update Repair Failed. Reinstall Failed. Help please?

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Level 1

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iTunes Update, Repair, Uninstall Failed. Apple Software Update Repair Failed. Reinstall Failed. Help please?

My PC/OS: 4-months old, clean notebook, running Windows 10 Pro 64-bit. Intel® HD Graphics 520 (not old). Everything was working fine.

My Software: iTunes, iCloud + related components, Bonjour, Mobile, Updaters 32/64.I regularly update iTunes and was using it without issue last weekend (April 1, 2018).

Today, iTunes needed an *update*. Update failed to complete with this commonly seen error message:

There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor.

I searched web and Apple KB for the error and found the KB advice to repair iTunes. Tried that via Control Panel, Programs, Repair, Change, and it failed to repair. I tried uninstalling iTunes, and it failed, giving an error message about Apple Support Updater not found.

I searched that error and found the advice to uninstall all apple software in a particular order [Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows 7 and later - Apple Support]. I did that. I searched and found advice to uninstall all apple software update. I uninstalled apple mobile device support fine. I got hung up with Bonjour but searched how and eventually disabled it and uninstalled it. Then uninstalled the 32/64-bit updaters, I followed the order specified. Everything now appears to be gone, including even iCloud, which was working fine. Now I cannot install iTunes or iCloud due to the same error message mentioned above regarding Installer package.

Even though I have seemingly uninstalled everything Apple as they're no longer listed in the Uninstall Programs list, when I run the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Utility, it still sees Apple Software Update, Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple Application Support 32- and 64-bit, and Bonjour - but it does not list iTunes or iCloud. Only the component apps refuse to die.

What an Utter disaster one iTunes update turned into. Would appreciate Apple Support with finding what is stuck, how to resolve and reinstall.

I've already read and tried these articles:

If you see a 'Windows Installer package' error message when you try to reinstall or remove Apple software - Apple Suppor…

Uninstall won't uninstall apple software update. I get same msg when trying to install itunes. A problem with this pkg.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204275

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028054/windows-repair-or-remove-progra ms-in-windows-10

Repair or remove programs in Windows 10 - Microsoft link, won't paste into this box.

Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed - Microsoft link, won't paste into this box.

iPad Air Wi-Fi, iOS 10.3.2

Posted on Apr 8, 2018 5:35 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,079 points

Apr 11, 2018 4:12 PM in response to jjessingg

This step confused me but I did it anyway- you said in step 3 to remove them, then reinstall them in step 4 (why?).

The idea is to remove to what is left of the old version and install all you can of the current one while not tripping over the fact that ASU won't update. You could give the Microsoft tool another shot, otherwise you might need to repeat the manual process come the next update.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,079 points

Apr 11, 2018 2:16 PM in response to jjessingg

That error is usually caused by a sticky copy of Apple Software Update.

Try repairing Apple Software Update from the Programs and Features control panel, then uninstall it before trying to reinstall iTunes. If it won't repair try the Microsoft troubleshooting utility mentioned in note 1 of the following guide. If it still won't uninstall you can remove all Apple components that will uninstall then use the steps in Install missing components to install everything apart from Apple Software Update.

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. When reinstalling right click on the downloaded setup file and use run as administrator. It may also help to temporarily disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus.

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, or want to revert to an older version if the current one won't work properly for you at the moment.

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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Answer 3

jjessingg Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 11, 2018 2:16 PM in response to turingtest2

hi tt2, thank you for your quick response! Sticky copy, indeed. ASU has stuckified itself to my computer good and proper. Status:

1. Tried “Modify” (repairing) and Uninstalling Apple Software Update (ASU) from Apps & features control panel: “This action is only valid for products that are currently installed.” Ok, so Apple Software Update is NOT installed although its name is still on the list of Apps & features? Well, Windows 10 thinks it is not installed anyway, but clearly ASU thinks it is… therein lies the conflict.

2. Since it wouldn’t repair or uninstall, I tried the Microsoft troubleshooting utility. Results were “Not fixed”. Microsoft couldn’t fix Apple Software Update but did remove all of the other components. I used troubleshooter to uninstall Bonjour, Mobile Device Support, Apple App Support 32/64. There were no remaining folders, files, shortcuts to delete – it looked clean.

(PS, before that, also tried uninstalling all components in Safe Mode, and that failed.)

3. “If it still won’t uninstall, you can remove all Apple components that will uninstall…” = Done as per step 2 above…

4. “Then use the steps in Install missing components article to install everything apart from Apple Software Update” = Done

This step confused me but I did it anyway- you said in step 3 to remove them, then reinstall them in step 4 (why?). All the individual components uninstall and install fine now except Apple Software Update.msi which says “A later version of Apple Software Update is already installed on this computer.” Uhmm, hmm, Ok. The .msi version of Apple Software Update stripped out of iTunes64Setup.exe file is dated 01/09/18, yet the [stuck] prior version of the ASU file 2.5.0.1 says 12/16/17, so... must be corrupt right. (Although MS Troubleshooter doesn't find any corruption in the registry). Seem to have semi-isolated the problem anyway:

*Apple Software Update thinks it is the latest version of the file, that it is installed properly, and there is nothing wrong with it.*

Clearly not a team player. Need an update with later date that will overwrite it...

5. Reviewed the other boxes and support documents.

With everything uninstalled except la prima donna Apple Software Update, I tested reinstalling iTunes thinking it might overwrite/reinstall ASU. iTunes went through complete install and looked promising, but eventually failed due to the same message above:

“A later version of Apple Software Update is already installed on this computer.”

At that point, I end up with Bonjour, Mobile Device Support, Apple Application Support 32/64-bit all installed, but no iTunes shortcut, no iTunes folder/files, etc. Back to where I started at step 1.

😕 Let me know if you have any other ideas or if I missed something key ?

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iTunes Update, Repair, Uninstall Failed. Apple Software Update Repair Failed. Reinstall Failed. Help please?

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