iTunes for Windows XP: Troubleshooting unexpected quits, freezes, or launch issues

If your issue only happens in one user account, some of the suggestions below may resolve the issue. Before proceeding however, you'll need to make hidden files and folder visible in Windows. Follow steps one through five in this article.

• Remove iTunes Plug-ins

  Third-party iTunes plug-ins can cause many issues, particularly if the plug-in has not been updated to be compatible with new versions of iTunes. iTunes plug-ins are located in the following directory:

  C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins

• Remove iTunes preference files

  Some of the files that iTunes uses to store settings and preferences may be unusable and cause issues. iTunes has two folders where preferences are saved. Move one of them to the desktop and test to see if the issue persists. If it does, move it back and remove the second folder. The location for the two preference folders are:

  • C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes
  • C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes
• Recreate your iTunes Library

  If you iTunes library has become unusable, rebuilding it as described in How to recreate your iTunes Library may resolve the issue.

• Check for content files with issues

  Sometimes a certain audio file can cause iTunes to quit unexpectedly or stop responding when it is analyzing gapless playback information. To determine which file(s) may be cause the issue follow the steps below:

  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. Move the iTunes Library.itl file located at C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes to your desktop
  3. Open iTunes.
  4. From the File menu, choose Add Folder to Library.
  5. Navigate to the folder where your music is located. Typically this is

     C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Media
     
     Note: This folder may also be called "iTunes Music."

  6. Choose an artist, album, or single song to add the to the library
  7. Wait for iTunes to successfully add the songs to your library and perform the gapless playback scan.
  8. If successful, continue adding back more songs to your library.
  9. If there is an issue with one of your files, you will notice your issue reappear after you attempt to add it to the library. At this point you should repeat these steps being careful not to add the files that cause the issue to occur.

When troubleshooting system-wide issues with iTunes, there are a few different suggestion to try.

• Update your anti-virus software application

  Windows viruses can interfere with a variety of computer functions including iTunes. Make sure that you have current anti-virus software installed with updated virus definitions and use it to scan your system.

  iTunes and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 2.7 for Windows
  
  If there's no anti-virus software update available, temporarily disable your anti-virus software to see if that resolves the quitting, freezing, or launching issue with iTunes.

• Conflicting Processes

  Sometimes other programs and start-up items can conflict with iTunes. Learn how to troubleshoot such conflicts.
  

• Removing iTunes Configuration Files

  Removing unusable configuration files that iTunes uses can resolve launch issues.

• Check the iTunes and QuickTime installations

  An improper installation of iTunes or QuickTime can contribute to a variety of issues. Learn how to completely reinstall iTunes and QuickTime.
  

• Fix digital signing of Windows drivers

  In some cases an issue with the digital signing of certain Windows XP drivers can prevent iTunes from launching. Use the following steps to correct such issues:

  1. Highlight all of the following 4 lines of text that begin with regsvr32 and then choose Copy from the Edit menu of your web browser:

     regsvr32 /s wintrust.dll
     regsvr32 /s softpub.dll
     regsvr32 /s mssip32.dll
     regsvr32 /s initpki.dll
     

  2. Open the Notepad program by navigating to:

     Start > All Programs > Accessories > Notepad

  3. In Notepad, choose Paste from the Edit menu. Note: make sure that the text that appears in Notepad is the same as what is shown above.
  4. From the File menu, choose Save As.
  5. In the File name: field type iTunes.bat and save the file to the Desktop.
  6. Close Notepad and locate the iTunes.bat file. It should appear on the Desktop.
  7. Double-click the file and you will see a black window appear on the screen for about a minute. Wait until the window automatically disappears and proceed to the next step.
  8. The iTunes.bat file can be deleted at this time.
  9. Try opening iTunes again.
• Disconnect your computer from the Internet

  See if that resolves the quitting, freezing, or launching issue with iTunes.