Removing iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows XP

  • Last Modified: May 22, 2008
  • Article: HT1925
  • Old Article: 93698

Summary

Learn how to uninstall iTunes, QuickTime, and other essential software components from your Windows PC. To uninstall iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components from your Windows Vista PC, see this article.

Products Affected

iTunes 7 for Windows, QuickTime for Windows, Windows, Windows XP

In some rare instances, it may be required to remove all traces of iTunes and QuickTime from your computer. Use the following steps to remove all traces of iTunes, QuickTime, and associated software installed by the iTunes + QuickTime Installer.

Removing iTunes

Note: iTunes Store purchases or songs imported from CDs are saved in your My Music folder by default and are not deleted by removing iTunes.

  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
  3. In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
  4. Select iTunes from the list of currently installed programs, then click Remove.
  5. When asked if you would like to remove iTunes, select Yes.
  6. After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart if you are prompted to.
  7. If other entries were present for iTunes remove those as well.
  8. In Add or Remove Programs, remove any iPod Updater applications that are listed in the same fashion as iTunes was removed.
  9. Restart your computer.
  10. After the computer restarts, open Local Disk (C:) in Computer or whichever disk programs are installed on.
  11. Open the Program Files folder.
  12. Right-click the iTunes folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Note: This folder may have already been deleted if iTunes was successfully removed in steps 1-7.
  13. Right-click the iPod folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Click Continue if Windows needs confirmation or permission to continue.
  14. Right-click on the Recycle Bin and on the shortcut menu, click Empty Recycle Bin.
  15. Restart your computer.
  16. Install the latest version of iTunes from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download.

Removing QuickTime

  1. Quit QuickTime Player.
  2. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.
  3. In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
  4. Select QuickTime from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
  5. When asked if you would like to remove QuickTime, select Yes.
  6. After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart if you are prompted to.
  7. If other entries were present for QuickTime remove those as well.
  8. Restart your computer.
  9. After the computer restarts, open Local Disk (C:) in Computer or whichever disk programs are installed on.
  10. Open the Program Files folder.
  11. Right-click the QuickTime folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Note: This folder may have already been deleted if QuickTime was successfully removed in steps 1-7.
  12. Delete the QuickTime and QuicktimeVR files located in the C:\Windows\system32\ folder. Click Continue if Windows needs confirmation or permission to continue.
  13. Right-click on the Recycle Bin and on the shortcut menu, click Empty Recycle Bin.
  14. Restart your computer.
  15. Install the latest version of QuickTime from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download.

Removing Apple Software Update

  1. Quit Apple Software Update.
  2. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.
  3. In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
  4. Select Apple Software Update from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
  5. When asked if you would like to remove Apple Software Update, select Yes.
  6. After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart if you are prompted to.
  7. If other entries were present for Apple Software Update remove those as well.
  8. Restart your computer.
  9. Install the latest version of Apple Software Update by installing the latest version of iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download.

Removing Apple Mobile Device Support

  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.
  3. In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
  4. Select iTunes from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
  5. When asked if you would like to remove iTunes, select Yes.
  6. After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart if you are prompted to.
  7. If other entries were present for iTunes remove those as well.
  8. In Add or Remove Programs, remove Apple Mobile Device Support in the same fashion as iTunes was removed.1
  9. Restart your computer.
  10. After the computer restarts, open Local Disk (C:) in Computer or whichever disk programs are installed on.
  11. Open the Program Files folder.
  12. Right-click the iTunes folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Note: This folder may have already been deleted if iTunes was successfully removed in steps 1-7.
  13. Right-click on the Recycle Bin and on the shortcut menu, click Empty Recycle Bin.
  14. Restart your computer.
  15. Install the latest version of iTunes from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download.

Notes: Do not manually delete the Mobile Device Support folder located at C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple. Use Programs and Features as described in the steps above.

 

iPodService.exe Alert

Follow these steps if the message, "Cannot delete iPodService.exe: It is being used by another person or program" appears when you try to delete the iPod folder.

  1. Make sure that iTunes and the iPod Updater utility are not open.
  2. On your keyboard press Control-Alt-Delete. Select Start Task Manager.
  3. Click on the Processes tab.
  4. Locate the iPodService.exe in the list.
  5. Click on iPodService.exe and choose End Process.
  6. Quit the Task Manager.
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