Languages
Learn how to completely uninstall iTunes and other essential software components from Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.
For Windows XP, follow these steps to remove and reinstall iTunes and other software components for Windows XP.
Expand All | Collapse All
Overview
In some rare instances, it may be necessary to remove all traces of iTunes and related software components from your computer before reinstalling iTunes. For most technical issues, reinstalling iTunes is an unnecessary and overused troubleshooting step. If you're directed to reinstall iTunes by AppleCare, an article, or an alert dialog, you can do so by following the steps in this article.
Notes
- iTunes Store purchases or songs imported from CDs are saved in your My Music folder by default and aren't deleted by removing iTunes. While it's highly unlikely that you'll lose any contents of your iTunes Library when following these steps, it's always a good idea to ensure that your iTunes library is backed up. If you're unsure how to backup, follow these steps.
- These steps may take a significant amount of time to complete, depending on your system.
1. Remove iTunes and related components from the Control Panel
Use the Control Panel to uninstall iTunes and related software components in the following order and then restart your computer:
- iTunes
- Apple Software Update
- Apple Mobile Device Support
- Bonjour
- Apple Application Support (iTunes 9 or later)
Important: Uninstalling these components in a different order, or only uninstalling some of these components may have unintended affects.
You can refer to these steps on removing these components:
2. Verify iTunes and related components are completely uninstalled
In most cases, removing iTunes and its related components from the Control Panel will remove all supporting files belonging to those programs. In some rare cases, files may be left behind. After following the previous steps, you should confirm that the following files and folders have been removed. If any are left behind, remove them now:
- C:\Program Files\Bonjour
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\
- C:\Program Files\iTunes\
- C:\Program Files\iPod\
Note: Follow the additional steps at the end of this article if you receive the alert "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program" when trying to delete this folder.
If you have a 64-bit version of Windows, you'll need to confirm that the following folders have been removed:
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\
- C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\
- C:\Program Files (x86)\iPod\
Note: Follow the additional steps at the end of this article if you receive the alert "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program" when trying to delete this folder.
If you aren't sure how to remove these files, you can follow these detailed steps:
- For Windows Vista or Windows 7: From the Start menu, select Computer.
For Windows 8: Click File Explorer. - Open Local Disk (C:) located in Computer, or whichever hard disk your programs are installed on.
- Open the Program Files folder.
- Right-click the Bonjour folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
- Right-click the iPod folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Note: Follow the additional steps at the end of this article if you receive the alert "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program" when trying to delete this folder.
- Right-click the iTunes folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
- Open the Common Files folder.
- Right-click the Apple folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
Note: If you have a 64-bit version of the Windows OS, continue with step #10. Otherwise, skip to step #15. - For Windows Vista or Windows 7: From the Start menu, select Computer.
For Windows 8: Click File Explorer. - Open Local Disk (C:) located in Computer, or whichever hard disk your programs are installed on.
- Open the Program Files (x86) folder.
- Right-click the Bonjour folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
- Right-click the iPod folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
Note: Follow the additional steps at the end of this article if you receive the alert "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It's being used by another person or program" when trying to delete this folder. - Right-click the iTunes folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
- Open the Common Files folder.
- Right-click the Apple folder (if it exists) and select Delete from the shortcut menu. Choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
- From the Start menu, select Computer.
- Open Local Disk (C:) in Computer, or whichever hard disk your operating system is installed on.
- Right-click the Recycle Bin and select Empty Recycle Bin.
3. Reinstall iTunes and related components
After verifying that iTunes is completely uninstalled, restart your computer and download and install the latest version of iTunes.
If the issue you're troubleshooting isn't resolved after following these steps, it isn't necessary to remove and reinstall iTunes multiple times. Instead, you may find helpful information on the iTunes Support page, such as troubleshooting steps related to specific alert messages.
Additional Information
iPodService.exe Alert
Follow these steps if the message "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program" appears when you try to delete the iPod folder.
- Make sure that iTunes and the iPod Updater utility aren't open.
- Press and hold Control-Alt-Delete.
- Select Start Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab.
- Locate the iPodService.exe in the list.
- Click iPodService.exe and choose End Process.
- Quit the Task Manager.
Last Modified: Sep 18, 2013
One Moment Please
Thanks for your feedback.
No comments:
Post a Comment