How to enable iTunes in the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Firewall

  • Last Modified: October 23, 2009
  • Article: HT2553
  • Old Article: 305484

Summary

When the firewall in Windows Vista or Windows 7 is enabled, it may prevent iTunes from accessing the Internet unless iTunes is listed as an exception.

Products Affected

iTunes 7 for Windows, iTunes 9 for Windows, iTunes 8 for Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista and 7

Windows Vista

To make sure that your firewall is not blocking iTunes:

  1. From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
  2. Click Security and click Windows Firewall.
    Note: in the Classic View of Control Panel, click Windows Firewall.
  3. Click Change Settings.
  4. If Windows needs your permission to continue, click Continue.
  5. In the Windows Firewall Settings window, make sure that the "Block all incoming connections" option is not selected, and then click the Exceptions tab.


To make sure that iTunes appears in your list of programs:

  1. Make sure that iTunes is checked under "Programs or port" and click OK.
  2. If iTunes isn't listed under Programs and Services, click Add Program, click Browse and navigate to the iTunes program (often at C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes).
    Note: For 64 bit editions of Windows navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.
  3. Select iTunes program and click Open.
    Note:     iTunes may also appear as "iTunes.exe."
  4. Click OK in the "Add a Program" window.
  5. Click OK in the "Windows Firewall Settings" window.
  6. Click OK in the Properties window.

Windows 7

To make sure that your firewall is not blocking iTunes:

  1. From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
  2. Click System and Security and click Windows Firewall.
    Note: in the Icons View of Control Panel, click Windows Firewall.
  3. Click "Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall."
  4. In the "Allowed Programs and Features" window, choose Change Settings.
  5. Make sure that iTunes is checked for your network in use.
  6. If iTunes isn't listed, click "Allow another program", click Browse, and navigate to the iTunes program (Usually in C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes).
    Note: For 64-bit editions of Windows, navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.
  7. Select iTunes and click Open. 
    Note:     iTunes may also appear as "iTunes.exe."
  8. Click Add in the "Add a Program" window.
  9. Click OK in the Allowed Programs window.
  10. Close the Windows Firewall window.

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

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