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7 iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows

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If the Apple EarPods that come with the iPhone are the world’s most popular earbuds, surely iTunes is one of the world’s most popular programs on Windows PCs. Certainly, Windows is the most popular platform iTunes; the iPhone may work best with the apps and extras that are included with a Mac, but more people own Windows PCs than any other operating system on the planet. iTunes is their gateway to Apple’s iTunes Store and link to iCloud and so much more.

itunes on windows

That’s why when iTunes problems occur, it sometimes feels like your digital life is falling apart. If you’re one of the millions that watch videos on your iPhone, stream music through Apple Music and enjoy podcasts through the service, iTunes breaking can be a huge problem.

Here’s some quick fixes for iTunes for Windows. Some of them are based on problems we’ve had with iTunes ourselves. Others are handy tips for helping you navigate the sometimes confusing world of Apple’s digital storefront and digital jukebox software.

iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows: Moving Your Library

iTunes for Windows is generally used to being the primary music software installed on your PC. Its default behavior is to it take control of managing our music, how it’s organized and where it’s placed in relation to the metadata that it finds.

If you already have iTunes installed, go into iTunes and click on the drop-down menu icon on the left-top corner of your display. Inside that drop-down menu select Preferences.

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In the Preferences menu click on Advanced. Uncheck the option that allows iTunes to rearrange what’s in the iTunes Music folder. Only do this if you’re using more than one piece of media software and don’t want iTunes changing where files are.

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iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows: Copying & Multiple Files

Again, iTunes has a nasty problem with assuming that it’s the only music software on your PC. That’s why, in addition to managing your folder, it’s also able to copy every music file that you play into its own folder. To be clear, this isn’t a major issue for those that want the extra copy of the file, just those that don’t.

Go into iTunes and click on the drop-down menu icon on the left-top corner of your display. Inside that drop-down menu select Preferences.

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In the Preferences menu click on Advanced. Uncheck the option that tells iTunes to copy ever file that you add to your iTunes library.

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iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows: Music Files Don’t Open in iTunes

When you installed iTunes, it should have asked you if you’d like to make iTunes your default program for playing music files. You can also change that setting outside of iTunes.

Windows 10 users should go to the Settings app and click on System. Inside System is an option for Default Apps. Head there and select which app you’d like to be your default player.

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Older versions of Windows support modifying the default apps from the Control Panel. Search for Set Default Programs. Click on Choose Defaults for this Program if you’d like more control over which files open in iTunes automatically. Click Set Program as default to blanket set it as the default.

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iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows: iTunes Doesn’t Disappear When You Close It

iTunes can stay open despite having been closed with the red X in the right corner of each window. This happens when iTunes is set to minimize to the Windows System Tray.

Go into iTunes and click on the drop-down menu icon on the left-top corner of your display. Inside that drop-down menu select Preferences.

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In the Preferences menu click on Advanced.

Uncheck the option that tells iTunes to Minimize to System Tray and Show iTunes in System Tray.

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iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows: Missing Podcasts Radio & Store

If you have a smaller display, iTunes limits the amount of media types you see in the menu bar without having to click anything extra. This means, that the Podcast Store or Ringtone Store could be a few clicks away instead of just one.

Click on the beside the other media icons.

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Click on Edit from the drop-down menu.

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Now select the areas that you’d like to have immediate access to anywhere from iTunes.

iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows: Missing Menu Bar

Aiming to simplify iTunes for Windows, a few years ago Apple starting hiding the File Menu in new versions of iTunes by default. Without the menu, things can get a bit confusing though.

To bring the Menu back in iTunes click on the drop-down menu icon on the left-top corner of your display.

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Inside that drop-down menu select Show Menu Bar.

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iTunes Problems & Fixes for Windows: Authorizing Music & Video

Music purchased through iTunes is owned by you. Movies and television shows aren’t owned by you, but are authorize to download and stream on your PC. Sometimes you’ll find yourself needing to authorize your PC with your iTunes Account.

Click on the drop-down menu button in the top-left corner of your screen. Next, hover your mouse pointer over the iTunes Store link. Now select Authorize Computer from the drop-down menu. iTunes will guide you through make sure that your PC is cleared to play your iTunes content.

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Good luck with iTunes for Windows. As more iTunes for Windows problems surface we’ll add to this list of fixes.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Kimberlyfseder

    01/19/2016 at 6:28 am

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