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How compatible is iTunes on Windows Vista?

Apple Inc. released a new version of iTunes that works with Windows Vista on many typical PCs.

The new version of iTunes takes care of a lot of compatibility issues with Vista.  If you have installed Vista on your computer, ensure that you download the latest version of iTunes. 



The new iTunes 7.1 took care of some of the known issues with Vista. Apple is still working with Microsoft to take care of rest of the problems which include:

  • Ejecting your iPod using "Safely Remove Hardware" option or from Windows Explorer might corrupt your iPod.  Microsoft is still working this which should take care of this issue.  It is recommended that if you have Vista, you need to update when it gets released, click here to get more details on this.


  • For safely ejecting your iPod, only use Eject iPod option from the Controls menu in iTunes for now.
    • In general, the safest way to disconnect any iPod from any machine is to use the eject button in iTunes. Use it.
  • If you have display related problems on iTunes then try resizing the iTunes window.  That should take care of this problem
  • Synchronization of Contact Groups from Windows Contacts will not work on your iPod as of now.
  • 64 bit editions of Windows Vista and XP is still not supported by iTunes.

To make sure that you don't have any trouble syncing your iPod or playing iTunes store purchased music when upgraded to Vista from Windows 2000 or XP, follow the steps below:

  1. First step is to deauthorize all iTunes Store accounts. Click here to see how.
  2. Its highly recommended to do a clean install of Windows Vista rather than upgrading it from other OS.
  3. Download and Upgrade to iTunes 7.1 if you haven't yet done that.
  4. After installing iTunes, open it and from the menu bar, click Store ->  Authorize Computer.


If you are still having trouble, then just leave a comment in the comments section below or post them to Zolved GuruConnect and let a guru take care of your problem.

Click here to know more about common iPod problems.

copyright © 2009, IPTouch, Inc.

 

 

Comments
  • Posted by: skip518_1650 at 25 Mar 13:39 permalink
    i am not computer savvy and i just purchased an ipod i tried to download itunes 7.1.1 and my computer tells me a firewall is up (which i believe i have taken down) and that i must install VBSscript and turn off script blocking if anyone can help please contact me at s k i p 5 1 8 @ y a h o o . c o m (just put it all together with no spaces) Thank you very much
    • Posted by: tou_linda_1802 at 12 Apr 07:26 permalink
      i have the same problem, any luck?
      • Posted by: bdauctions_4141 at 25 Apr 20:09 permalink
        Same here. No solution yet. I hate Windows Vista. This is only the first of many problems. I can't even uninstall the damn thing and reinstall my XP. I am saving for a Mac.
        • Posted by: cnjsang_5098 at 04 May 19:30 permalink
          I wish someone would answer this. I tried to reinstall XP after having many Vista related problems, esp. with Ipod. I can't do it! Wish someone would reply
        • Posted by: gernodeb at 01 Dec 05:19 permalink
          Just a foot note- I was at a genius bar yesterday and the genius called the Ipod apples "trojan Horse". As soon as people try to use it with Vista, the start looking at Mac's
          • Posted by: gtorell_5871 at 02 Apr 22:15 permalink
            I love how people take a program that was clearly written by apple that doesn't work and use that as evidence that you should buy a mac. People are fucking stupid.
    • Posted by: njudie1_7694 at 08 Apr 09:53 permalink
      I have windows Vista after download of Itunes 7.1 and 7 I receive error message that states "ITunes cannot run because it has detected a problems with your audio configuration". Need help on how to over come this. I cannot access my ITunes music library at all.
      • Posted by: kplaya4real_8976 at 11 Apr 19:42 permalink
        i downloaded a song from itunes and i bought it with no problem but it downloaded halfway and said my connection timed out, and it said "Error = -3259" what is the problem and how can i fix it? email me at kplaya4real@aol.com thank you? :)
      • Posted by: jstarr_713 at 26 Apr 15:19 permalink
        I have three Ipods linked to a common library on a machine running windows xp professional. I recently purchased a new laptop running Windows Vista and installed Itunes 7.1.1. The laptop only recognizes one of my three Ipods, which happens to be a first generation nano. The ipods it won't recognize are a second generation nano (latest model), and a mini. Vista keeps asking for drivers, but they're already installed via version 7.1.1. Any ideas?
      • Posted by: centoris at 05 May 08:51 permalink
        I updated to itunes 7.1.1 from 7.0.1 and it came up wid the bout the audio config..the best way to fix it is first remove itunes and QuickTime from the control pannel....etc...then once removed go to www.oldapps.com/itunes and download itunes 7.0.1 and 7.0.0 and run it and then it works fine....dont update for a while untill apple fixes some of the bugs...hopefully soon gudluck :P
        • Posted by: jimmy_5249 at 13 May 04:06 permalink
          hi bought a new HP computer with Vista. I did a data transfer from my old laptop to my new computer using a Belkin transfer cable. Now half of my i-tunes music won't play as it says the origional location of the file cannot be located. Also Vista seems to want to play everything through it's own programs even though i have defaulted evrything to use i-tunes. When i downl;oad from bit torrent.com, it says ther files are downloaded on the c: drive, howevwer when i go to it's stated location shown in file properties, there is no such location. Can anyone help me? My e-mail is jimmy@the-mudhut.com
          • Posted by: cchesebro_8554 at 20 May 14:01 permalink
            I am having a problem even instaling on Vista. It keeps telling me that the program is not a valid Win32 program. Any ideas?
          • Posted by: jason.damas_922 at 04 Jun 07:12 permalink
            I have been having a problem since upgrading to Vista 3 months ago, and it still continues even after the flurry of recent Apple and Microsoft patches and upgrades (I'm now on iTunes 7.2). If I'm playing songs in iTunes, it works almost perfectly. However, if I pause iTunes and let it sit for more than 5 minutes or so, then when I return to the program there will be funky display issues, that cause iTunes to look all chunky, almost like a webpage with a broken style sheet. This also causes several functions of the program to be unusuable, and the only way to fix it is to CTRL+ALT+DEL, kill the program, and restart it. Please tell me someone is going to fix this!
            • Posted by: timmy_boy52_6708 at 07 Jun 12:24 permalink
              I am now ruinning Vista with itunes 7.2, and I am unable to download and play video podcasts, and also sync videos to my ipod. The message tells me that the file type is not supported by my ipod, but it all worked when it was on XP. Any ideas?
              • Posted by: philippa_loughhead_1984 at 13 Jun 00:40 permalink
                I have a new iPod mini and Windows Vista Home Premium. I've got the newest version of iTunes but whenever I plug my iPod into the computer Windows stops responding and nothing on the computer will work. I can still access the internet though. As soon as I pull the iPod cable out of the computer everything immediately starts working again. It's so frustrating! Can anyone help me?
                • Posted by: andreapneil_7347 at 18 Jun 07:46 permalink
                  I have an ipod nano and recently got a new HP desktop PC with Windows Vista. I have not been able to connect to the iTunes store since we got the new computer. I have called Apple numerous times and each time they ask if I have downloaded the new iTunes version, etc. but it still doesn't work. This weekend I was talking to the help desk at HP for some other issues I had, and he said absolutely iTunes DOES NOT WORK with Vista yet. I am curious how others have gotten it to work...??? It is so frustrating. I am able to play songs from my playlist, etc but just cannot connect to the store to buy anything.
                  I guess at this point I am just resigned to the fact that I am going to have to wait.....wait.....wait....
                  • Posted by: yipon_3945 at 29 Jun 18:30 permalink
                    I too have a vista laptop and a mini and am having the same problem. Today I downloaded ITunes 7.3 and it still won't work, did you ever get your to?
                  • Posted by: dasht691_1088 at 19 Jun 16:23 permalink
                    My iTunes downloads/syncs commonly cause the following message "Itunes has stopped working", occasionally followed with a blue screen memory dump warning. What is going on here?
                    • Posted by: summerbrlu_9201 at 27 Jul 12:33 permalink
                      Ive got the same problem. Both apple and HP act like theyve never heard of such a thing. It has crashed several hard drives that had to be replaced. Lately it says Itunes has stopped working when I try to sync my ipod or watch purchased videos or the videos play slowly and dont move. But what is odd is that when I set my desktop up to share its itunes library( its windows XP) it woks great. I can watch videos like that and it works fine as long as it like that. Ive also tried evrything. Im scared if i keep trying it will ruin my ipod or HP may eventually refuse to replace the hard drive again. HP and Apple have repeatedly told me there are no compatibility issues, but I dont believe them, b/c it crashes everytime I watch purchesed videos or try to transfer purchases from my Ipod. I dont have problems accessing the store or anything. Please help if anyone knows a solution. The main reason I got my laptop was to watch my itunes videos.
                    • Posted by: mmustafa.z_6064 at 23 Jun 22:39 permalink
                      I have a windows vista downloaded and installed the latest itunes. It does not recognize my ipod when i plug it in. I checked if my ipod service is running, Yes it is running. Any thing else?
                    • Posted by: weversol_3851 at 29 Jun 16:11 permalink
                      I have Vista and am trying to install itunes and it just keeps saying "This installation package could not be opened . Verify the package exists, and that you can access it or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer package" Then I click ok and nothing happens. Once before when I tired installing it - it said "not a valid win32" or something like that.
                      • Posted by: powertumbler00_8693 at 02 Jul 10:45 permalink
                        I recently bought a new dell computer with Windows Vista. I have an ipod video and downloaded the most recent version of iTunes. It worked sometimes. If I was in iTunes for a long time it would quit unexpectedly. I have reinstalled iTunes at least 3 times and it did the same thing. This morning I tried to open it and it won't open it just says it has unexpectedly quit. I have tried everything and can't find anybody to contact on apple.com so I hope you can help me or send me to someone who can.
                        • Posted by: kkerin1_2146 at 08 Jul 01:24 permalink
                          i have installed every update for itunes but every time i try to load the updated version the error message "itunes has stopped working" appears, vista has been the worse decision i've every made for my pc! as the non-compatible list is endless.
                        • Posted by: ellen.suffolk_212 at 13 Jul 07:11 permalink
                          I have a 32-bit edition of Vista on a brand new laptop and still cannot use iTunes. I have tried previous versions and the latest version. It opens for only a few seconds and then says 'iTunes has stopped working' and Windows checks for a solution to the problem, when of course, there isn't one. If this is some pathetic attempt by Apple to rob Microsoft of some of its customers by deliberately delaying sorting out this compatibility issue - which many forums have suggested - then they have failed miserably with me. I'll simply flog my iPod and buy another MP3 player. Vista is fantastic in every other aspect, and this little problem is certainly not enough to make me want to struggle my way through using an Apple Mac! No chance!
                          • Posted by: savannah100357_2522 at 20 Jul 18:26 permalink
                            Hi! I just bought a new HP Pavilion laptop with Windows Vista. I plugged my Apple iPod into it the other day and my computer froze and I lost all of my songs on my iPod. So, are you saying that another iPod would be compatible with Windows Vista? Please advise. Thanks!
                          • Posted by: ellen.suffolk_212 at 13 Jul 07:11 permalink
                            I have a 32-bit edition of Vista on a brand new laptop and still cannot use iTunes. I have tried previous versions and the latest version. It opens for only a few seconds and then says 'iTunes has stopped working' and Windows checks for a solution to the problem, when of course, there isn't one. If this is some pathetic attempt by Apple to rob Microsoft of some of its customers by deliberately delaying sorting out this compatibility issue - which many forums have suggested - then they have failed miserably with me. I'll simply flog my iPod and buy another MP3 player. Vista is fantastic in every other aspect, and this little problem is certainly not enough to make me want to struggle my way through using an Apple Mac! No chance!
                            • Posted by: ikua_ge_1947 at 25 Jul 09:54 permalink
                              For God's sake people, STOP MOANING ABOUT VISTA!!!! This is NOT the fault of Microsoft and Vista that you are all having problems, IT'S APPLE'S FAULT. Put the blame where it belongs. Apple had YEARS to get iTunes ready for Vista and they did what they do best, they told us to go to ****. I've been having a whole slew of issues with iTunes and Quicktime too but I know who's to blame, the folks that wrote the program. I, for one, will NOT be saving up for a new Mac.
                              • Posted by: summerbrlu_9201 at 27 Jul 12:41 permalink
                                At least I know I'm not alone the way that HP and Apple make me feel when I call to see if they can help me. Maybe if I just keep waiting Apple will finally have a version that works properly with vista. I waited on npurchasing a new laptop until Apple claimed to have worked out all the kinks, but obviously it was just a lie. I really get mad because all the latest versions I have downloaded specifically say they are compatible with vista and I get all excited and try to transfer purchases from my ipod and of course everything crashes and I spend hours to weeks trying to repair my laptop. SOmetimes it comes back and sometimes I have to send it to HP.
                            • Posted by: augiegrl_503 at 03 Oct 11:14 permalink
                              I got a laptop with vista in June, and I installed itunes on it as soon as I got it. For a while, itunes was working fine, but now I get an error message, saying that itunes has stopped running, but i will be notified blah blah blah...please help! Augiegrl@aol.com
                              • Posted by: lucky82191_8194 at 25 Oct 14:58 permalink
                                well i just got a laptop with vista on it and i thought that the newest version of itunes would work, so i downloaded it and about two hours after i had just got my computer it froze. so i restored it to its factory settings and waited a few hours to see what would happen. i didn't download anything on it or connect to the internet. it still did not freeze. finally i downloaded itunes and about an hour after it froze. so im thinking it has to do with itunes. im currently searching for some way to put songs on my ipod without using itunes, but no luck. does anyone have any suggestions? if so please email me @ lucky82191@hotmail.com and soon because i need my music on my ipod! and i kinda like windows vista but i guess microsoft really needed to work on it a little longer. hopefully they fix it soon. thanks
                                • Posted by: dpharr_8766 at 16 Nov 00:13 permalink
                                  I just upgraded to windows vista and install the latest version of itunes 7.5. Now I can't figure out how to get all my songs and playlists back into itunes. Can you help?

                                  dpharr@pharrside.com
                                  • Posted by: pyrokristi_835 at 29 Nov 08:18 permalink
                                    I Bought a Sony all in one computer VGC-LS25E that has a Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-8465 ATA driver version 6.0.6000.16386.

                                    Evertytime I load i-tunes on my computer it works fine until I re-boot, then my driver is gone and I get "this device cannot start. (code 10).

                                    I've spend hours on the phone with Sony and they tell me it's not their problems. Apple points the finger at Microsoft and Microsoft won't help me becuase Vista was loaded on my computer and I didn't buy the program!

                                    Anyone have suggestions on how I can solve this problem???

                                    Thanks
                                    Kristi
                                    • Posted by: rr at 10 Dec 17:31 permalink
                                      i had the same problem-chated with sony online i was directed to "Knowledge Article C501168" and it worked good luck
                                    • Posted by: akugbe_4995 at 03 Mar 16:01 permalink
                                      I just bought the iphone but to my annoyance i was unable to activate the phone on my computer with Window Vista operating system.. I keep getting the error message that read that "this iphone cannot be used because the required software is not installed. Run the itunes installer to remove the itunes, then install itune again". Even though i follwed this instructions many many times, i am still unable to clear this bug. I use windows Vista operating system, however my friends with the same operating systems seems not to have the same problem. Now i am unable to sink the iphone with my computer.
                                      • Posted by: akugbe_4995 at 03 Mar 16:13 permalink
                                        Two weeks ago i bought the iphone but i was unable to activate it through my home personal computer with the Vista Windows operating system. I keep getting the error message that reads that "THIS IPHONE CANNOT BE USED BECAUSE THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE IS NOT INSTALLED. RUN THE ITUNES INSTALLER TO REMOVE ITUNE, THEN INSTALL ITUNE AGAIN". I had spent countless times following this instructions and yet i am still unable to get the right result. My iphone was finally activated in an Aple store. At the moment i cannot sink the phone with my desk top. I have all other components of the itune downloaded except that of the iphone. Help; Help; Help;
                                        • Posted by: r.dylan.ward_9558 at 25 May 09:25 permalink
                                          I went through the replies below, but didn't find my issue. I have installed Vista business on my Toshiba Portege M400. The installation and program work fine, except when I try to access the iTunes Store. I get the error "iTunes could not connect to the iTunes Store. Make sure your network connection is active and try again." I assure you my network and internet are up, my firewall is disabled, Windows Firewall is disabled, the iTunes program has full network access on my Firewall (Kaspersky Internet Security...) and Windows Defender is disabled. Yet, I cannot access the Store for the life of me. Has anyone come accross this issue? What do I do to fix it? Anyone???
                                          • Posted by: r.dylan.ward_9558 at 25 May 09:38 permalink
                                            Did some more under the hood to try to shed some light. I used the iTunes built in diagnostics and it came back saying that the network and connectivity to the store (secure connection and all...) was working as should and there are no errors. Yet, when I try to connect to the store through the app, no go. Anyone experience this???
                                            • Posted by: mcauleyisland_6602 at 02 Aug 16:08 permalink
                                              Did you ever solve this? I am having the exact problem, and it is so frustrating!!!! please someone help!
                                            • Posted by: melissakayetx1_8699 at 16 Jun 01:38 permalink
                                              my problem is my dvd drive keeps leaving and then when i get it back to working my itunes then says it needs to be repaired. So then when i repair Itunes my dvd drive goes away.. I have vista and Itunes 7.6.2 update I have even replaced my dvd ddrive and it went missing after i reinstalled ITUNES. So Itunes and Vista.. I just don't know..
                                              • Posted by: kenneth.merritt1_8043 at 01 Jul 16:58 permalink
                                                ok i downloaded the newest version of itunes 7.6.2.9 what ever that mean to my new computer..i tunes plays all the music ive pulled off cds but when it attemps to ask for a username and password a windows error message pops up saying itunes has stopped responding INSTANTLY and closes i tunes. what the heck is causing this i cant find anything on apple.com or anywhere else on the internet for that matter anyone got any ideas?
                                                • Posted by: a_tlly_7051 at 24 Jul 14:57 permalink
                                                  is any on having problems with itunes, vista, and norton security?
                                                  • Posted by: a_tlly_7051 at 24 Jul 14:57 permalink
                                                    is anyone having problems with itunes, vista, and norton security?
                                                  • Posted by: drpearlzadeh_9613 at 18 Aug 22:19 permalink
                                                    I just bought a new Sony Vaio that runs on Vista. I have tried to install itunes 7.7 at least 10 times and it does NOT work. Does anybody now how to intruct me to download and install itunes on my new comp.
                                                    • Posted by: drpearlzadeh_9613 at 18 Aug 22:20 permalink
                                                      I just bought a new comp, Sony Vaio that has Vista. I have tried to download itunes 7.7 at least 10 times and it does not work. Can anyone help me instal itunes please. drpearlzadeh@gmail.com
                                                      • Posted by: angus.vermaak_2705 at 04 Sep 22:50 permalink
                                                        I have an ipod touch and i'm running windows vista premium, when i first installed itunes it was working fine but now whenever i try to open it windows tells me that it has stopped the program and mentions something about DEP (Data Execution Prevention).
                                                        Does anyone know what that means or how to fix it?
                                                        • Posted by: mandytennis_394 at 08 Sep 17:30 permalink
                                                          I am having problems with my ipod classic. I try to sync it with my itunes program ( I have windows vista) and it freezes up my computer and the program. I cannot sync anything and I have restored my ipod with no success. help!!
                                                          • Posted by: darkening_star_5499 at 02 Nov 04:06 permalink
                                                            i have vista from the day it started...that day...install quick time and itunes seperatally! i hear that will work...im not on a amin account...so i cant really do any thing yet...got to wae and c.
                                                            • Posted by: mark.lansdon_7301 at 26 Nov 06:33 permalink
                                                              have taken two 8gb ipods to apple store three times. screen goes to gray apple and locks up.Both worked at the store when they loaded a couple songs.I deleted and reloaded all my software reinstalled ipod as soon as i ejected the ipod the screeen went right back to the gray apple.I then took a brand new 4gb ipod i bought as a gift did the same thing it works fine.I belive there is something wrong with both 8gb units and that its not windows as apple claims.
                                                              • Posted by: northshore6_10_2429 at 29 Dec 23:29 permalink
                                                                Itunes for 64 vista is at Itunes.com it is at this link http://support.apple.com/downloads/iTunes_8_0_1_for_Windows_64_bit

                                                                the itunes for 64bit vista is itunes64install.exe not itunesinstall.exe
                                                                • Posted by: pepemalinus_1586 at 06 Jan 01:22 permalink
                                                                  iTunes is designed to screw Windows Vista.

                                                                  I started to have problems with Vista the day I installed iTunes. At first it was just a feeling but using debugging tools I have since identified 2 components installed by iTunes which are the root cause of the sluggishness of my Vista machine.
                                                                  - iTunes mini player DLL is causing all the file explorer windows to take several seconds to display any files. This DLL is registered in Windows Explorer. Since I removed it manually the delay is gone.
                                                                  - Bonjour : This service added several seconds to the Boot time.
                                                                  I find it strange that Apple's software causes some of the problems they are pointing as "Vista's flows".
                                                                  • Posted by: astragab_4043 at 12 Mar 08:58 permalink
                                                                    I just downloaded Itunes 8 on my computer and can't find it anywhere? Unfortunately, I'm stuck with Vista (aghh, i hate Vista so much). Itunes supposdely downloaded to a temporary folder but where?
                                                                    • Posted by: astragab_4043 at 12 Mar 09:00 permalink
                                                                      I just downloaded Itunes 8 and now can't find where it downloaded. I'm working with crappy Vista unfortunately, and it says it was downloaded to a temporary file, which I can't locate for the life of me. Does anyone know where I can find my Itunes 8?
                                                                      • Posted by: sidro_2172 at 13 Mar 17:39 permalink
                                                                        iTunes and burning 4000 error. I finnaly got to fixed by loading itunes 7.2 my OS is HP a6230n Vista, 32bit. I can burn fine but the burn options won't open before it starts to burn. soon as the cd-r disc. in inserted it starts to burn, no media check first??? thanx Sidro P.S. If you need to download past itunes go to oldapps.com and check itunes, then pick one.
                                                                        • Posted by: plmedlyn66_2785 at 21 Mar 05:34 permalink
                                                                          Hi
                                                                          I have a new laptop and am experiencing Vista for the first time, having had XP previously. Everytime I install Itunes it won't connect to the store and gives me a -3212 error saying that my network is not detected (I have no connectivity problems other than this). It also will not recognise my Ipod 2G Touch, though Vista does.
                                                                          Any thoughts?
                                                                          Thanks
                                                                          Penny
                                                                          • Posted by: mitch_3596 at 27 May 08:23 permalink
                                                                            I have Vista and I can download & play purchased songs from itunes, but everytime I try to copy a CD onto my ipod it plays & copies for about 1 min 10 secs, then skips through the remaining tracks without recording them! Thought it was the CD drive but have replaced that and it still does the same thing! Any suggestions please?