How to Downgrade iTunes 12 for Windows to an Earlier Version
Good news! If you hate iTunes 12 for Windows, it is possible to uninstall iTunes 12 and downgrade to 11 or an older version. Here’s how to do it!
I recently wrote a story about the availability of iTunes 12 for Windows, but according to your feedback, it looks like most of you hate iTunes 12 more than any other version to date. iTunes, in general, won our Worst Software Ever award, and it looks like version 12 would have no problem winning it again in a landslide victory.
Well, there’s some good news if you do use iTunes and can’t stand the latest version. It is possible to uninstall iTunes 12 and downgrade to an older version on Windows. Here’s how to do it!
Uninstall iTunes 12
Uninstalling the monstrosity is a simple task, but there are multiple parts you must uninstall. Go to PC Settings > Apps > Apps & features and find and select iTunes in the list on the right.
Click Uninstall once and then again on the small popup that displays.
If the User Account Control dialog box displays, click Yes to continue.
You may not see this dialog box, depending on your User Account Control settings. We don’t recommend disabling UAC entirely, however.
You must also uninstall the following items in the order listed to completely uninstall iTunes. It’s important to uninstall these items in the order listed.
- Apple Software Update
- Apple Mobile Device Support
- Bonjour
- Apple Application Support 32-bit
- Apple Application Support 64-bit
After uninstalling those items, there may be some clean up to do to be sure all the remnants of iTunes left behind by the uninstallation process are gone. Apple details what to check for and delete to make sure iTunes is completely removed from your computer. Follow the steps in the Make sure that iTunes and its related components are completely uninstalled section on this page.
Reboot your computer after carefully following all the steps to uninstall iTunes.
Reinstall iTunes 11 or 10.7
Now, how do you get an earlier version of iTunes? To its credit, Apple does offer the ability to download older versions of iTunes for Windows and Mac.
I wasn’t able to find iTunes 11 for my 64-bit system, so I went ahead and got iTunes 10.7 – anything is better than version 12 right?
Now just go through the steps to install the new (I mean old) version of iTunes, including giving iTunes permission to install on the User Account Control dialog box, and you should be good to go!
Make sure you uncheck the Automatically update iTunes and other Apple software box during installation.
When you’re asked if you want to download iTunes 12, click Don’t Download. If you don’t want to be asked again, uncheck the Do not ask me again box before clicking Don’t Download.
If you do get an earlier version like I had to do on my 64-bit Windows system, don’t bother trying to update it because it’s going to want you to get iTunes 12.
In fact, to stop annoying reminders about updating, go to Edit > Preferences > General and uncheck the Check for new software updates automatically box and click OK.
A lot of you will get the error message shown below saying that Library.itl can’t be read because it was created with a newer version — Click OK on that and make sure iTunes is closed.
Now head to the local music folder on your computer. For example on my system it’s located in C:\Users\Brian\Music\iTunes.
From there delete the Library.itl file and then launch iTunes again, and it should work, as it will create its own version of the Library.itl file.
This method worked successfully for me on both Windows 8.1 update 1 and the Windows 10 Technical Preview. But when I tried the same steps on a Windows 7 32-bit system with version 11.1.5, I received a different error that I will need to deal with – but that’s a separate issue.
The point is, your experience may vary so make sure you’ve backed up the important stuff or create a Restore Point before starting this.
Of course, if you want to ditch it for good, you can use a free alternative program like Foobar2000 or SharePod.
94 Comments
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Phil
November 14, 2014 at 7:20 am
If I do this, will I lose all my preferences, playlists and music ratings?
Jacob
January 9, 2015 at 2:30 am
Yeah you’ll loose everything.
But apple made a guide to recreating your library.
Can be found here http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201561
cari
August 28, 2016 at 2:20 am
uhm no you wont… just did this and since I had everything in separate files along side the ones from iTunes it was all saved.
but everything should be in your downloads and if you look hard enough in your computer it’ll all be there
Brian Burgess
November 14, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I tested this on a couple of machines and yes, I had to start over …
Christina
September 5, 2015 at 8:46 pm
Thank you Brian! :)
nabin
September 12, 2015 at 8:20 pm
Thanks man :)
Ziggy
November 14, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Hi Brian. You will find earlier versions of iTune at Filehippo. Check this link http://www.filehippo.com/download_itunes_64/history
Paul Bouchard
November 3, 2021 at 3:09 pm
SSUUUUPPPPEEERRR ! Thank you very much
Mahajan
November 14, 2014 at 8:38 pm
Hey Brian,
Thanks for this
Worked perfect on Windows 7 – 64 bit too.
Thanks again
Mike
November 17, 2014 at 2:21 am
Hey all. I’ve done this plenty of times and it keeps automatically updating my iTunes 11.4 to 12, while I’m at work. Anyone have a fix for this? My general tab doesn’t have the check box.
Brian Burgess
November 21, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Another way you can stop it from updating is open Apple Software Update
Then go to Edit > Preferences and under the Schedule tab check Never.
Candace
November 30, 2014 at 9:14 am
Thank you for this info. I was able to fine 11.4 for 64 bit. This worked and I am very happy.
Ann
December 2, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Candace, where did you get 11.4, 64 bit? Thanks
Ann
December 2, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Hi Brian,
Worked fine on ny windows 64bit system. Reconstructing my library a bit challenging. Two problems. 1. iTunes 10.7 won’t Recognize my iPad ios 8.1 – does recognize iPod touch. 2.
Can’t access iTunes store (& haven’t figured problem yet – might be configuration).
jenny
February 1, 2015 at 10:44 am
Ann, did you ever figure out how to get 10.7 to recognize your ipad ios 8.1? I’m having the same problem.
Candace
December 2, 2014 at 9:29 pm
I just googled it. I don’t remember the site
Candace
January 6, 2015 at 7:14 pm
Well I guess the site lied. My system says it is 32
Dale Eskra
December 8, 2014 at 9:50 pm
So how do I deal with the 32-bit “separate issue” you mention at the end, where there is the error message about a component not being installed? Running Repair in Windows install does not fix it. So that’s where I am now, and all that I have done has been a waste of time. Reinstall 11.1.5 and go back to 12 and live with that mess?
Fisher
December 9, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Thank you, It worked for me on win 7 x64
Mike
December 20, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Wow, thanks for this, it worked perfectly for me – I reverted back to 11.2.2.3 and using the trick below I got my old library and setup back perfectly – no issues whatsoever (so far!)
I did one more trick than this article mentions though – when I looked in C:\user\mike\music\itunes I found iTunes had backed up my old .itl files each time I’d upgraded so I opened the last one before I’d updated to v12 (eg: “iTunes Library 2014-10-19.itl”) in Notepad and saw that it was v11.2.2 (the file is in binary but the version is right at the top) so I just downloaded that exact version from filehippo, renamed the old .itl file back to “iTunes Library.itl”, installed v11.2.2 and when it restarted everything was just like it was before I ugpraded to the disaster that is v12.
Hope this is clear – it just avoids having to re-set up your library when you do this, which for me, with 120GB of music, is a complete nightmare!
Steve Krause
December 20, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Hey thanks Mike on the details on the old .itl file. I’m going to guess that will help many ppl get around the re-setup of the library.
Thnx again!
-S
Jason
February 9, 2023 at 10:43 am
Thank you Thank you Thank you Mike!
When I opened iTunes my music was blank!
I couldn’t imagine losing all my music!
Your tip in using the previous back up file was a life saver. I had a folder called “Previous Libraries”
and I simply moved that over and renamed it itunes/library and opened iTunes and found all my tunes again!
thanks for the tip!
Dan
December 22, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Does anyone know if podcasts are retained ok with the downgrade?
Steve
December 30, 2014 at 3:48 am
Hi Brian,
This itunes v12 is driving me nuts as well, so I took your advice on board, following step-by-step and still get this horrible little Sign ‘itunes Library.itl cannot be read blah blah blah” Even stood on my head & that didn’t work either. Running Win7 64bit Office 2007 on Samsung Laptop – and yep – all drivers etc up-to-date.
All in all – without being rude – any other ideas/suggestions pleeeaasssseeee…
Haven’t run System Restore, then again – how far back to restore the damn thing, then re=download a plethora of updates :(
Dan
December 30, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Downgraded. Worked fine. Had to rebuild podcast library a bit, but wasn’t too bad. iTunes 10 doesn’t seem to work with the iTunes store–so might have to upgrade again because of that..
Kerri
January 5, 2015 at 8:43 am
This information is a godsend! Thank you!!! I have been dealing with iTunes v12 and no customer service support for days. I uninstalled and re-installed an older version, but got that message about the library and not being able to open iTunes. I was so frustrated thinking I’d have to go back to v12 which just shows a black screen when I try to play any shows.
The 2nd part of your directions helped me. Thank you! Thank you! My iTunes library is there and the shows play on the v11 of iTunes. I haven’t tried the iTunes store, but I have enough unwatched shows in my library it doesn’t matter much. I also went in and unchecked for updates.
Thanks again!
Terry
January 6, 2015 at 7:04 pm
I downloaded the latest version of iTunes after numerous prompts and bullying from Apple, and I can say in all honesty that it was the worst decision that I have ever made, since accepting my wife’s proposal of marriage.We’re now divorced so at least that problem has been resolved. I am now seeking a seperation from iTunes V12, and I’m now looking for something that will keep me occupied, amused and stress free during the cold Winter’s nights.V11?
Steve Krause
January 7, 2015 at 10:46 am
Ouch….. Yeah, that’s no good!
MrWoolly
January 7, 2015 at 9:37 am
I’ve completed this process three times now. Morning after I’ve just got the 64 bit version 10 of iTunes all how I want it I wake up to find the dreaded Red iTunes icon is on my machine and magically Apple has forced a 32 bit version of iTunes 12 down to my laptop.
I’ve turned of the check for updates inside iTunes and removed the check during the install of iTunes 10 to not auto-update.
This morning – again the horrid red icon appeared and I found a program ApplePush in the Startup tab in MSConfig. Tonight I’m going to uninstall all the Apple software from my machine and reinstall iTunes 10 64 bit. Uninstall the Apple Software update service and disable the ApplePush to see if that cures the problem.
Then I’m junking my iPhone for a Samsung.
cary
January 7, 2015 at 8:43 pm
I installed itunes 12 and immediately regretted it. First I followed the tip to uninstall itunes using control panel. Then I looked in my Downloads folder and found the setup file for itunes 11.x.x from last August. I ran the executable and everything worked fine except for the message “The file “iTunes Library.itl” cannot be read because it was created with a newer version of iTunes” I got when I attempted to open itunes. You can google that message and find the fix. It’s pretty easy.
Andy-SB
January 9, 2015 at 8:36 am
iTunes pleasure now ruined, I have successfully followed advice and managed to back-track away from version 12 with a lot of patience, but have lost all internet radio station use which I enjoyed for variety- perhaps noone was buying music anymore because of this- looks like they have removed
URL access to w/wide music, does anyone have a suggestion on this? I’m on 11,(32bit) windows XP
MrWoolly
January 11, 2015 at 8:34 am
AAAAAAAHG! It’s back. I caught it in the act on my old XP machine and managed to kill the process before all was lost. On XP i’ve edited the Registry to stop the Apple software starting with the machine. There are two places to go in the Registry to stop these programs launching, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270035 has walks you through how to do it. Under Windows 7 check the Registry, MSConfig.exe and Task Scheduler to hunt down the programs iTunes installs. I’ve uninstalled Apple Update, but found a program in C:Program Files (x86)Common FilesAppleApple Application SupportAPSDaemon.exe that I’d not disabled. Now I have and I’m on day three of having iTunes 10 back and working. I’ve just left the iPod service starting automatically.
As for my new phone, it is on it’s way from Samsung. Can’t wait to say bye bye to my iPhone.
Shuefrk
January 11, 2015 at 4:23 pm
I did as directed above. Imported all my music. Seemed all good.
Now I am not able to access the ITunes store. Keeps telling me that ITunes has stopped working and it will let me know when there is a solution.
Is this related to the new (old)version. Also Keeps asking me for my password, and I have to enter it twice, cause it says I entered it wrong the first time.
Any help with these two issues would be greatly appreciated
Fred
January 30, 2015 at 3:44 pm
How do know my local music file?
Im stuck
Brendan
February 1, 2015 at 12:02 am
I am hoping you are able to help me please as it is driving me crazy, half way through the installation process of itunes version 10.7 64 bit it gets to the status section which says starting services, freezes for a second or two then starts to “roll back action” and stops the installation with an error msg. Please any clue as to what I can do.
Heid Theba
February 4, 2015 at 8:25 am
I’m experiencing exactly the same problem (Win 7 64 bit and all older versions of iTunes from 10 – 11); the opaque error message is, of course, completely useless in terms of fixing the problem. Removing the iTunes database with all of my music files didn’t help, nor did manually deleting the residual iTunes files left behind by the uninstall process. I’m about 5 minutes away from permanently switching over to Foobar as my media player…….
Heid Theba
February 5, 2015 at 12:36 pm
30 hours later – this link explains the reasons for the install problem(s) and shows all of the additional files/folders that need to be deleted before you can roll back to an earlier version of iTunes in Windows 7 and 8, 64 bit: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1923
iTunes version 11.4 is available at http://filehippo.com/download_itunes_64/58615/ – some articles say this version is hard to find.
BTW – this worked for me, but I did lose all of my playlists because iTunes 11.4 couldn’t read the database files created by V12.* and it just imported all 10,000 of my mp3 files as if it was seeing them for the first time, so be prepared…!
Sean
February 7, 2015 at 6:23 am
That worked perfectly thank you, the link takes you to the itunes site which explains how to uninstall various other programs IN A SET ORDER and then re-boot. Once done, you can install the older version and, as shown above delete the i-tunes library.tl file
Mike Austin
May 22, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Thanks to Brian, Heid Theba and others :-)
iTunes 11.4 on a 64-bit Windows 7 box had a problem a few days ago. Because at that time I couldn’t find a current 64-bit version 11.4 Windows installation file, I tried iTunes 12.x. As is lately the case with most of Apple’s software on either Windows or iOS, it had problems with bugs and disappearing features, simply so Apple can sell new stuff for more money.
Downgraded today to 11.4, thanks to y’all. Thanks for saving my light fluffy biscuits of sound and video from certain disaster :-)
John Holzmann
July 6, 2015 at 1:49 pm
Woo-hoo! Perfect! THANK YOU, Heid, for your instructions. I had been SO frustrated!
MrWoolly
February 6, 2015 at 4:18 am
Encouraged by the posts from Heid Theba, I’m giving this one more go. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled per the link http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1923 and in the reinstal I unchecked the Update Apple software check box, as I’ve done in the past. Let’s see how long it takes for Apple to replace the 11.4.0.18 with version 12.
My iPhone has been replaced and now has all the funtionality of a iPod Touch. I’m delighted and very impressed with my Samsung Note 4.
Dusty
February 10, 2015 at 7:43 pm
Thank you SO much for this help!!! What a nightmare! I would like to add though, that just deleting iTunes in Control Panel didn’t work. What worked for me was: Control Panel, sort by Publisher (click “Publisher” on top of column), then uninstall each thing that was from Apple. I think there were 4 things (maybe 3). After that I was able to reinstall iTunes just fine.
Thanks so much for the recommendation on the older version and how to stop it from ever updating again! Apple has really lost it’s quality control lately – Safari’s a mess too! (Mercury browser is MUCH better)
Steve
February 16, 2015 at 11:46 am
Thanks for all the help/suggestions. Here’s what worked for me (Windows 7 64-bit/Outlook 2013/iPhone 5):
1. Uninstall all Apple products using Control Panel Add & Remove Programs – Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple Application Support, Apple Software Update, iTunes, Bonjour)
2. Search for iTunes Library.itl and rename it so something else.
3. Download iTunes 12.0.1 64-bit from FileHippo and install it.
4. Turn off the automatic updates in iTunes preferences (to prevent 12.1 from overwriting it)
5. Open Outlook and check the Add-ins (in my case Outlook Change Notifyer reappeared and was already enabled but iTunes Outlook Add-In had reappeared but was not enabled so i enabled it). I also checked that iTunes Library.itl had been rebuilt – it had).
6. Reset other iTunes preferences and re-download all ‘Purchased Applicactions’ etc.
7. Hit Sync and watched in wonder as my Contacts, Calendar, Notes once more aligned.
8. Breathd a sigh of relief.
good luck.
Willem
February 17, 2015 at 5:06 am
Thnx fo your solutions! Steve’s one helped me out, excellent!
Jay Deakins
September 25, 2015 at 11:03 am
FINALLY…because of your post, I was able to install an older version. I tried a dozen times, but nothing worked…until I uninstalled all of the other Apple products in Control Panel. THANK YOU IMMENSELY FOR THIS!!
Taha
February 21, 2015 at 3:15 am
Hey! Thanks Brian! That was very, very helpful!
Andrea
February 28, 2015 at 4:41 pm
Thank you for this post. It got me started. It did not totally do the trick, but the comments from Ziggy, Mike and Dusty helped a lot so finish connecting the dots and get it working. Thank you all!!!
I was able to find the previous version I had and download it (11.3.1 for Win 64 -Thank you Ziggy) and use that library (Thank you Mike). Yet the thing would not finish the new install. Ugh. So thanks to Dusty’s post I removed everything Apple not just iTunes (I hate Bonjour anyway!) in the Add/Remove Programs Wizard. Still wouldn’t work. Looked in Task Manager and there were still Apple things running behind the scenes. I couldn’t stop them or delete the folders in Program(x86). Agh!
At this point I was really getting fried. iTunes has been so frustrating over time. It’s one reason I will never switch to a Mac … Anyway, did a Google search on the error message “Errors occurred during installation before iTunes could be configured. Your system has not been modified. Run the installer again.” and came across this: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6562#qtmoviewin It mentions reasons why you might be having trouble and lead me to: http://support.microsoft.com/mats/Program_Install_and_Uninstall Where I downloaded MS Fixit and proceed to really uninstall everything Apple.
Copied the old library I wanted to use and changed the name per Mike. Tried to install again and Yay! It worked! Got my library back.
Also in the 11.3.1 version to disable the automatic updates go to Preferences > Advanced (Not General). I am sure they move it around ’cause they don’t want you to uncheck it! There was also an option to Uncheck when installing about updates and I unchecked that also.
I will never upgrade again without doing a search to see if the newer version have issues. The other thing that started happening with iTunes 12 is that my device would not be recognized. Turns out that is an easy fix. Turn the device of and on again and then reconnect to the computer.
Feeling happy!! Thanks everyone.
david
March 6, 2015 at 12:46 am
http://downloads.tomsguide.com/iTunes,0301-282.html
behold a version of itunes x64 11.1 but i still cannot install it on windows 8.1
batrico
March 20, 2015 at 7:24 pm
My experience of itunes12 has been a nightmare.obgc.dll in application support part of itunes is causing itunes to crash everytime i check my purchase history.this happens in all versions of 12.doesnt happen in 11.4 so i may end up going back to that.
Adler montana
March 26, 2015 at 8:45 pm
Hello Steve, I am having a problem installing any older versions of iTunes. It works if I re install iTunes v.12 but, on any other versions it stops and reverses the process near the end, I am using windows 8 btw thanks! pls reply
Andrea
March 26, 2015 at 11:25 pm
Adler,
I had trouble reinstalling an earlier version, because not all of the Apple related software uninstalled when I used Add/Remove Programs. Check out my comment a few up to read more. That might be what is happening for you. Best wishes!
Andrea
debra
April 3, 2015 at 4:11 pm
thank you so much for this!
dawn
April 7, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Hallelujah!!! Thank you so much, especially for the link to 11. I will never upgrade again, if I can possibly avoid it.
So thankful my ipod stays expanded now. The extra clicking on everything has driven me over the edge and back to an old version.
Dianne Ledet
April 15, 2015 at 6:41 am
This worked great for me … except that this version will not recognize my iPhone 6+!!! Any ideas?
Shi
April 18, 2015 at 4:28 am
While installing 11 or 10.7 it keeps occurring some error. Cannot install on Windows 8.0
DENISE
April 20, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Thank you sooo much for this post! It ultimately helped me get an older version of ITunes up and running….after 3.5 hours of suffering with downloads that would not complete ….
Ludwig Van Beethoven
April 21, 2015 at 6:58 pm
They won’t let me put my f&#@*ng album art in? That’s #*@(! ridiculous
Jose
May 14, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Did anyone find a solution to “A required iTunes component is not installed….”???
vastlife
May 17, 2015 at 5:37 pm
unfortunately, none of this is working for me. Have loaded and unloaded iTunes about 6 times today, and tried this process you noted, as well as two others. iTunes worked two days ago, and last night, poof, iTunes stopped working on my Windows 7 64 bit system. No idea what to try next. Thanks for the suggestion.
Brian Burgess
May 17, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Yeah, it sucks that iTunes is such a pig of a program and digs it claws so deep in the OS.
I am going to look into this more and see if there is a more effective solution.
Remember you can also use an iTunes alternative, and you can bring all of your purchased iTunes movies, music, and other media with you.
Foobar2000 is my favorite: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/sick-of-itunes-intall-foobar2000/
Candace
September 29, 2015 at 11:03 am
will these alternative programs let you back up and/or update your apple devices?
blain
June 6, 2015 at 6:22 pm
doesnt even work for me, it keeps saying errors were encountered during instillation, please help me!
duplex
June 11, 2015 at 7:24 am
magic bro!!
Jon B
June 22, 2015 at 4:48 pm
I upgraded to Version 12 today and lost the ability to sync my phone and iPad. I removed all Apple programs, including iTunes, went to FileHippo and downloaded iTunes version 11.4 (Windows 64 bit) and installed it. All is well again.
Harry
June 24, 2015 at 10:48 am
I can’t seem to install it, and have tried it multiple times with internet connection. I am using Windows 8.1 on Lenovo G50
wachira
July 6, 2015 at 4:42 am
Thank you very much. I was able to uninstall itunes 12.2 (which gave me a headache coz apple drivers had an error 52) and install 12.1.1 even though i lost my playlist, preferences and music rating but everything else works fine.
Katie
July 29, 2015 at 9:16 pm
I updated my iTunes when 12 first came out, thinking nothing of it. After all, they all worked in the past right? This new and somehow “improved” iTunes made it so that I literally could not use it. I have been living for the past several months trying to download my music and apps off of my iPod touch 4th gen’s iTunes page, which is a nightmare. And the app store doesn’t even let me see what previously purchased apps I’ve gotten. As much as I like my iPod (especially before it got switched over to IOS 7 and I no longer got updates) I despise Apple.
Worst yet is that when I got my 4th Gen the 5th came out within weeks of when I bought mine and the 8gb one was the same exact price as what I got. $200 for something that’s already a paper weight that plays music. And even the apps that are SUPPOSED to work with IOS 6 and before crash frequently now.
Apple needs to stop trying to produce new product after new product and work on the sh*t they already have.
riou
August 6, 2015 at 11:00 pm
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GOD BLESS YOU MAN!
Rebecca
August 11, 2015 at 11:28 am
After dealing with the “catastrophic failure” caused by I-tunes 12 for 2 days I am convinced I need to look for a different system. Thanks for nothing APPLE. Any suggestions?
Steve
August 22, 2015 at 4:07 pm
1 a.m. in the morning and I am exhausted and almost in tears. Just opened my downgrade of iTunes 11.4 for about the 6th time tonight and I have got everything back… Playlists included.
After issues with Windows 10 I did an ill-considered reinstall and lost iTunes 11.4 and of course when I re-downloaded it was the dreaded 12. Which puts my podcast playlists in the wrong order with no way to reorder them except by manually dragging everything around.
Before I found this discussion I had spent about three hours trying to make 12 work or find answers find answers to problems with it. And I’ve spent about 2 more hours going through this process, so basically my whole Saturday night…
Thanks to everybody. As I said I did it about 6 times, each time it went wrong I went back through the posts and found another useful comment addressing an issue… I wish I had tracked the whole process but Heidi and Mike’s points on the uninstall order and renaming the archved library were particularly helpful. I doubt anyone else will make this mistake, but the second to last time when it opened completely blank I realised I had renamed my old 11.4 library but left it in the old libraries folder instead of moving it to the location of the deleted v12 itl file.
Thanks again… Not sure if I’ll be able to get up in time for church tomorrow but if I do make it there will be blessings asked for all of you…
Kathie
September 14, 2015 at 10:02 am
Here’s my problem; I just got a new ipod for my birthday. I get the error “The ipod cannot be used because it requires i Tunes version 12.2 or later”
fine I try and download 12.2 I get this errror; “This Itunes installer requires windows 7 or later 64 bits edition” I guess I’ll be bringing my ipod back…
Candace
September 14, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I just installed Windows 10 and now my itunes is not working. I had downgraded my itunes earlier and it was working great. Any suggestions?
Zac
September 29, 2015 at 2:54 am
When i try to download any version of itunes (exept the latest one) it gets to stage were it says ‘starting servises’ then it say a error has occered and i cant use it.
Steve
September 30, 2015 at 6:00 am
Here’s a new wrinkle since my post on Feb 16th. I was running fine with my iPhone 5 on iOS 8.3 and iTunes on the back-release 12.0.1….. until yesterday when i updated the phone to the new iOS 9.0.1. When i tried to sync as usual i got an error that iOS 9.0.1 would not communicate with iTunes 12.0.1; it had to be a newer version. Since i could not connect to iTunes, i also could not restore the iPhone back to 8.3 because my backup was only to iTunes (I don’t use iCloud). Catch 22. I decided i would try upgrading iTunes to the latest version (12.3.0.44) since i could always reload 12.0.1. from my saved download. Anyway. I did bring everything up to date and the syncing all works again. I guess the previous issues between iOS 8.3 and iTunes 12.3 have been fixed.
Steve
October 16, 2015 at 6:23 am
UPDATE. On September 30th i was a happy camper again. That continued until a few days ago. Apart from iTunes syncing of mainstream apps using a USB connection, i have 2 non-Apple apps that require WiFi sync (Documents To Go and mSecure). I usually sync these about twice a week. A coupel of day ago, both stopped working giving reasons related to the iPhone not being able to see my PC on the WiFi network. I did all the recommended checking – iPhone and PC were both on the same network, both able to communicate with the internet, Bonjour running on my PC – but no joy. Finally I went back to a very old method by trying an Ad-Hoc network between the two. That worked for Documents To Go but not for mSecure. After a couple of days fiddling around I have concluded it must be iOS 9.0.2 that stopped this working. I am going to attempt to revert to iOS 9.0.1 to see if it starts working again.
Steve
October 16, 2015 at 1:28 pm
OK. Another day, another update. I found a version of iOS 9.0.1 to reinstall but (for whatever reason), the iTunes Restore would not load it (even though i followed instructions explicitly – downloaded OK, used Shift with restore to select that version, etc.). At this point i wondered if my outdated apps were the problem (both old versions). I updated one (found the other to be current) and after more tinkering i have workable, if far from ideal, solutions. For mSecure i now have the sync working via Dropbox instead of WiFi. this turns out to be far better because it auto-sync’s automatically without me doing anything (except turning on the iPhone WiFi now and again). Check. For Documents To Go, it still will not work with regular WiFi but will sync over the Ad-Hoc network (which is how i used to do it a few years back). A bit cumbersome but it does work. Check. I guess, from here on I will just check whether the DTG sync works without the Ad-Hoc network after each iOS update – in the hope that Apple will finally fix it eventually……
Kate
October 16, 2015 at 12:04 pm
Am using Windows 8.1 and was using iTunes 11 until (having resisted for ages) I stupidly updated to version 12. Like everyone else who’s posted what a BIG mistake that was. The music was there but I read a lot of audio books on my iPod and it lost the lot as well as refusing to download a new book from Audible. Finding your instructions was great, thank you. I rolled back my computer to before the iTunes upgrade just in case it had changed anything else, uninstalled all Apple software and followed your instructions using version 10.7 64 bit. I also unticked any check boxes that might cause updates to occur. Everything is working perfectly thank goodness and all my books are back and I can download from Audible again.
Having read through a lot of the comments and noted someone saying about an iTunes automatic program updater I went into the Computer’s Control Panel and looked in the Programs and Features, found the iTunes Updater and deleted it. iTunes is still working perfectly so hopefully it will continue to do so and won’t be able to update at all!
I’ve never liked Apple software and don’t know why software writers think it’s so great to tinker with stuff that already works and everyone is happy with. Microsoft are almost as bad.
Hannes
October 26, 2015 at 1:35 pm
I just upgraded to iTunes 12.3.1.23 64-bit on Windows10. Since the upgrade iTunes get stuck on Syncing contacts, both on iPhone & iPad, both on IOS 9.0.2 and IOS 9.1 – Syncing via USB.
Darn annoying when everything was working with iTunes 12.3.0.44 64-bit on Windows10 Running Office Professional Plus 2013………..
Same symptom when bypassing contacts, it then gets stuck on Syncing calendars.
Same symptom when bypassing calendars, it then gets stuck on Syncing bookmarks.
When bypassing contacts, calendars and bookmarks it goes through.
At least my Photos, Apps and Music syncs.
shaggy
December 1, 2015 at 3:33 am
I installed itunes 12.3 on my computer and updated the iphone 4 to ios 7.1. Now when I used your method to downgrade the itunes 12.3 to earlier version itunes 10.7 I get an error message that iPhone cannot be used since it requires itunes 11.1 or later. What should I do to resolve this error?
szweed
December 16, 2015 at 8:20 am
after numerous installs and uninstalls of iTunes 12 and then older version 10.7 for 64bit, iTunes fails to recognize most of my albums, artists and blows out complete albums, combines under one unrecognizable album, or blows out each song individually into separate files…I’m talking most popular albums like back in black which it fails to recognize and combines with other pieces of ac/dc music..
all the music is listed completely under windows 8.1 music folder, artist, album, songs with all information listed correctly. windows media player recognizes every file why wont iTunes?
Liz
January 10, 2016 at 1:15 pm
My son was putting tunes on a friends iPod & it said we needed to update iTunes. So he did, but I didn’t find out till hours later. We had a screaming match. Anyway I deleted the new iTunes & tried downloading version 10. It gets to the last stage of installing, then it says “Rolling back action.” Then, “The installer encountered errors before iTunes could be configured. Errors occurred during installation. Your system has not been modified.”
How do I get version 10 to completely install? I don’t know if I have a Windows 64bit system. How do I find this out?
Rebeca
March 29, 2016 at 10:53 am
Something very similar happened to me today when I was trying to update shitty itunes programme. It seem that the installation was going right, but almost at the end appeared ‘Rolling back action’ and then it didn’t install.
Joe C
April 1, 2016 at 7:04 pm
Please help me to allow my iTunes synch with my iPod Mini. I have iTunes 12 installed on my Win 7 desktop, but if I uninstall/install an earlier version of iTunes, like iTunes 8 or 10, neither will allow me to synch my music library and playlists to my formatted 9new) iPod Mini.
Andy LaCombe
April 5, 2016 at 8:25 am
Thank you! I backed up to iTunes 12.1
Aiman
April 5, 2016 at 11:15 pm
Thank you so much, it work!
Adam Israel
June 22, 2016 at 10:46 pm
To its credit, Apple does offer the ability to download older versions of for Windows and Mac. Download an earlier version of iTunes for Windows.
“For”
Sydney
July 7, 2016 at 9:25 pm
would this (downloading an older version) help me? I have the newest iTunes and so far everything’s still on my iPod, but nothing non-iTunes shows up in the actual iTunes library (and by extension, my computer’s drive). I’ve never had this problem before when I upgraded to new iTunes!
Jen G
July 14, 2016 at 9:22 pm
This was EXACTLY what I needed! Thank you SO MUCH for this!
Jahanzaib Hashmi
August 15, 2016 at 7:51 am
awwwww that,s it……..i have looking it after long time
Jocke Törngren
October 20, 2017 at 8:25 am
Weeell,I made an ass of myself though. I accidentally upgrade to 12.07 and got pissed that I no longer could add files directly to an app. uninstalled and got the 10.7 iTunes and thought I could install it…nope. So I got even more pissed and deleted everything with “apple” and/or “iTunes” in it…well that royally fu**ed me. Reverted to system restore to the point before I even uninstalled iTunes 12, but it STILL won’t let me install 10,7…fucking burn in hell Steve Jobs!
A Hat
March 3, 2018 at 9:17 am
Any reason why my 64-bit windows 10 keeps telling me why iTunes can’t run because it was installed by a later version? I deleted everything Apple twice and nothing seems to work. It installs fine, then I get the message.
Pidge
July 11, 2018 at 1:46 am
Thank you so much!!!!! This advice saved me!!!
grace
September 12, 2018 at 8:40 am
Thank you … accidentally upgrade my iTunes and realized no more apps store and found this info fro you. 1 problem I kept getting (after un-install and reinstalling iTunes 10.7 or iTunes 11) .. when I sign in it gave me this error:
“We could not complete your iTunes Store request. An unknown error occurred (11111)”
Please help!!!!!
rb
October 14, 2020 at 8:39 pm
Thank You. Also added PodTrans program. Adding or deleting songs on a second generation shuffle is now a piece of cake.