iPod: What to do if Windows displays an "itunes.exe - Corrupt File" message

Products Affected

iPod, iTunes 7 for Windows, iTunes 8 for Windows, Windows

Symptoms

If Windows has difficulty reading information off iPod or iPod shuffle, it may display a message from the System Tray, indicating there's a corrupt file and to please run the Chkdsk utility.

Resolution

We recommend using the latest version of iTunes to restore iPod because this will address the file system issue and will also defragment the iPod drive. Although you can use the Chkdsk utility to fix file system errors on the drive mapped to iPod, Chkdsk will not defragment the drive.

Warning: The restore process cannot be undone. All of your songs and files will be deleted. Always make a backup of your important data.

Tip: Make sure you always eject iPod properly and that you wait for the orange light to stop blinking before disconnecting iPod shuffle. Read Understanding iPod shuffle status lights to learn more about iPod shuffle status lights.

This issue may be more likely to occur on iPod shuffle if iPod shuffle's file system has become heavily fragmented. A restore will eliminate fragmentation. Chkdsk will not.

This document will be updated when additional information is available.

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