5 Easy Steps To Get iTunes Working On Windows Vista x64
This morning I wrote about the problems I had installing the newly released iTunes for Windows Vista Ultimate x64. I just recently found a solution to the problem error that iTunes was giving me when I tried to install it this morning. The error was:
iTunes could not be installed because Visual Basic Script (VBScript) is not installed or has been disabled. Make sure VBScript is installed, turn off script blocking in anti-virus and personal firewall software, re-register VBScript, and then install iTunes.
And the solution is to simple register the vbscript.dll. To do this you just need to follow the next 3 steps:
- Open up the Command Prompt as an Administrator (Go to All Programs > Accessories and Right Click on Command Prompt and then choose Run as administrator)
- Type cd C:\Windows\SysWOW64
- Type regsvr32 vbscript.dll (This registers VB Script with your computer.)
- Now install iTunes as you normally would by double clicking on the install program and wait for iTunes to finish installing.
- Type regsvr32 /u vbscript.dll (This unregisters VB Script with your computer.)
If the above didn’t work for you, you may be using a 32-bit version of Windows. Please check out the Apple Support #304405, which will walk you through the process to enabled VBScript on Windows 32-bit.
Please read more if you would like to hear my rant against Apple and the security vulnerability this opens up in the Windows Operating System. On a side note Apple should be congratulated, I guess, for fixing a bug I documented almost 3 months ago when trying to install iTunes on Vista x64.
Rant
On a personal note this is one of things that pisses me off about Apple.
According to this commercial Apple leads you to believe it is much more secure than Windows Vista. Forgetting all the points people normally bring up about Apple and security. Apple wants you the Windows Vista user, to enabled, VB Script a scripting language that has been responsible for more trojan and worms floating around the internet than any other on the face of this earth. All in order to install one of the earths most popular programs to get our daily audio fix. So we have to disable security measures built in to protect the operating system from malicious code and leave our selves wide open.This would be the equivalent to Microsoft telling Mac People to disable buffer overflow protection in order to install Microsoft Office for the Mac. Or VMWare telling its customers you must leave your network wide open in order to use their product. This is just bad programming on Apple’s part. Maybe if they took 1/1000 of the time they spend on the UI and actually use that time to train their developers on effective programming concepts these problems wouldn’t happen.So as an important note please, please, please follow the last step and un-register VB Script, if the developer of the scripting language, Microsoft, shipped it unregistered and acknowledges the potential for danger you should definitely heed that warning.Also Apple should hang it’s head in shame for still using VB Script to install applications. It is not necessary if they effectively use the Microsoft Software Installation framework, which I know they know about because they did a half assed job at using it to install iTunes.
Update: I have been getting many thanks for these easy 5 steps to getting iTunes working on their Windows Vista machines. If you would really like to do something for me, please visit one of the sponsors to the right or the left. They are how I support this site and keep it running.
Update (2007-07-24): Many people have also found this article helpful in installing iTunes on Windows Vista x64, it is an easy hack that allows you to fool QuickTime in to working correctly.
Update (2007-09-19): A couple people have reported being able to get the iPhone working on Windows Vista x64 with the steps listed up above. If you have luck with this please let me know, I personally do not own an iPhone to confirm this, however if this is actually true it would be major breaking news.
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March 12th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
It isn’t that they did a half-assed job at all, they actually did exactly what they wanted to. They are hoping that if enough users start doing this it will lead to security issues and they can make another commercial about it.
March 12th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
[...] by default because of potential use by internet worms and trojan viruses. I have created a step-by-step guide to walk users through the process of enabled VB Script and then disabling it after the iTunes [...]
March 12th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Joe you actually have a very good point. Because a couple of my comments in the past posted that the problems with iTunes and Vista was planned to move people over the OS X. I personally think this is too much conspiracy, and it gives Apple management way too much credit.
March 20th, 2007 at 9:45 am
[...] it’s been a whole 8 days since the last Apple iTunes release 7.1 where Apple wanted us Windows Vista users to be unsecured so they could install the iTunes software. Now the latest version of Apple iTunes has been release, [...]
April 22nd, 2007 at 4:29 am
Many thanks for the info on how to install I-tunes in Vista, absolutely agree that Apple should fix their instal to preserve system security under Vista. It ilikely that their actions are close to criminally negligent in some jurisdictions.
May 12th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
i followed your step by step guide to install itunes on my vista os, it registered vb script fine,but the unregistering part does not work on my pc, help!
May 29th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
How to you reinstall the vbscript after you have turned it off to allow itunes to install? The command “regsvr32 \u vbscript.dll didn’t work on my computer.
May 29th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Make sure you are still in the “C:\Windows\SysWOW64″ folder when running the command.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
i have windows vista on my computer, but when I follow the steps, my command prompt starts with:
C:\Windows\system32>
how do i get mine to work?
June 1st, 2007 at 3:45 am
regsvr32 /u vbscript.dll should work.
June 1st, 2007 at 7:05 am
tawny,
follow the directions exactly and type in “cd c:\windows\syswow64″. this will change your directory to the right folder. Alternatively you can type “cd ..” and then “cd syswow64″ to get to the same folder.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
i was able to enable vbscript but i cant disable it. my file is c:\windows\system32> i tried wat u guys said about changing the file but it keeps saying that “the system cannot find the path specified” when i type in cd c:\windows\syswow64, any ideas, it sounds like it is not good to have this enabled so i would greatly like to disable it, thanks for all ur help!!
June 27th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
You are getting that message because you are not running the 64-bit version of Windows. Skip the step where is says “cd c:\windows\syswow64″
July 10th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
[...] turns out, this has been a known issue for a while now (and on a couple of different point versions of [...]
July 10th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
[...] turns out, this has been a known issue for a while now (and on a couple of different point versions of [...]
July 12th, 2007 at 9:36 am
[...] Update: If you are still having trouble you are probably experiencing the VB Script issue, where Apple wants you to run in an unsecured mode to install iTunes. I have outlined the steps to install iTunes in the following article. [...]
July 20th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Regarding the enabling and disabling of vscript.dll. The problem some are having is that in the directions the unregister command line is listed as: regsvr32 \u vbscript.dll when actually it should be: regsvr32 /u vbscript.dll
Anyhow, thanks for the tips as they have been a great help to me!
Edward
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Thank you Nick for finally getting Quicktime and Itunes 7.3 installed on my Vista64 PC. Had to do both creation of Program Files x64 directory and registering VBScript. I had tried registration of VBScript alone previously from Apple KnowledgeBase directions but remained frustrated until I found your article. I am visiting your sponsors, keep up the great work!!!
September 30th, 2007 at 9:41 am
I had itunes working on vista 64 with these tips. Then I had a problem after i tried upgrading to the newest version and kept trying to re-install and re-install and it would not launch. Then I downloaded Quicktime seperatly, and then ran the install of Quiktime and then re-installed itunes and it worked.
So if you have problems with Vista 64 install, try installing Quicktime seperatly
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I have Vista Ultimate 64-bit version. I just cannot get iTunes installed on my laptop. I’ve tried everything you suggested above exactly the way you said. iTunes installed and gives me the Finished button but when I click on it, a message comes up and tells me that iTunes did not install correctly. I launch iTunes and plug in my iPhone and iTunes tells me to plug my iPhone into a 32-bit Vista pc instead. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Bee
October 12th, 2007 at 1:09 am
You’re absolutely right that VBScript is an insecure turd It’s been an albatross around Microsoft’s neck for a decade.
So, how is this Apple’s fault?!?? Sure there might be better ways of coding iTunes, but blaming Apple for Microsoft’s security woes is like complaining about a dripping faucet on the Titanic.
As operating systems move forward, legacy must be provided for but there are always things that break. iTunes is not the only app with compatability problems on WV64, it’s just the most ubiquitous.
October 12th, 2007 at 9:41 am
I still contend that it is just lazy or incompetent Apple programmers. Either way it is inexcusable. Apple’s idea of secure software seems to rest on the fact that no cracker wants to bother with 4% of the population.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:18 am
Hey, at least they didn’t tell us to turn of UAC. I bought a MAC for a work project the other day, and you know what I noticed first off that really bit me about the UAC commercial? Everytime windows askes you to continue (running apps as admin such as visual studio, changing system wide settings, and installing software) you just need to hit continue. On the MAC if you set a user password (as you SHOULD), you have to type your entire password. Maybe when they made that comercial they did not fix the user access rights security flaw, but then again, maybe they just didn’t care.
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:10 am
Hi Casmer,
That is because in Windows you were probably already an administrator and authenticated as one. If you just run under Windows Vista as a regular user you are promoted to enter an administrator password. Try it out and you will see what I mean. The same is actually true for Mac if you put your self in the right group.
But honestly I am feeling attacked lately, and many of them off the topic of the original post. We all know Microsoft has had problems with security in the past, you don’t have to remind me. But really does it help to have Apple exacerbating the problem by having users enable probably the single largest cause for security problems on Windows Vista? When there are definitely alternatives to installing software.
Apples Windows programmers are out-dated by about 7 years. I guess this is really where we should be praising Microsoft for hiring actually Apple programmers to make Mac Office look and feel like a Mac app. On the flip side you have Apple using out-dated methods for installing their apps, and they try to force that fugly Apple interface on us with iTunes, Quick Time, and now Safari.
November 17th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Hello Nick,
I had this running fine with the steps outlined above (except I forgot to go back and unregister vbscript). This was back in the July 07 timeframe (I forget what iTunes version). In late July or early August I loaded an update that went fine. Then in late August I loaded the next version (when prompted that a new one was available). Since then whenever I open iTunes I get this message “iTunes was not properly installed. If you wish to import or burn CD’s you need to reinstall iTunes.”
I then click OK and it loads iTunes. I haven’t tried to import CD’s so I really don’t know if it doesn’t work but the message is annoying. Any ideas on what causes this and/or how to resolve it? I have tried to uninstall iTunes and reload it several times each time with the same result.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:28 am
I followed the above steps and the ones outlined to create a folder in both program directories. I still get the itunes was not installed properly message. Funny, I use to get a “please run a 32 bit version of windows” message when I pulled in my iphone, now I get “please uninstall itunes and reinstall a 64 bit version of itunes” UMMMM last I checked there was no such thing! I have had no luck getting my iphone to sync at all
December 9th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
iTunes loaded just fine and everything looked great until I plugged in my iPhone. Then I got a message to uninstall iTunes and install a 64 bit version of the iTunes software, which doesn’t exist which is why we are using your 5 easy step patch. It apppears that there is a driver missing that allows the iPhone and iTunes to communicate. Is there a way to copy the driver from a working setup in XP for the iPhone into a directory in Vista or another work around for the iPhone?
December 10th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Thank you for the code, I am now able to use my Itunes on my new 64-bit computer. Unfortunately my Iphone is still not capatible. Rumors on the net say that apple is coming out with a 64-bit version soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed. But in the meantime if any of you brains have a solution, I would love to hear it. THANKS AGAIN.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
got itunes installed but it comes up saying I cannot import cd’s
then when i connect my ipod touch, it says it will not work and I will need to install a 64 bit version of itunes
any ideas, or have I just bought a nice brick?
January 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
these 5 steps are so hard to follow and i am not happy with it at all
January 14th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
May I please have some clear light on this error or message with Itouch>
“This iPod cannot be used because the required software is not installed. Run the iTunes installer to remove iTunes, then install the 64-bit version of iTunes.”
What I find weird is that Apple will have the Perfect XP version but not a Visat version, I think that’s silly. Vista is not “new” anymore and now we still get these errors. If apple wants you to buy their products there should be sufficient support/drivers/software for it, regardless of your OS. it like racisim, if it aint white tough shht, buy a mac. For what fancy nothings. I have Ipods, now the Touch, and can’t get the touch to work. I have a Zune too, and I tell you it’s the best, and the support is great.
At least with MS if you happen to have some sort of Mac/linux product, they always try to have it fixed for you, or give you a patch just so you can run your stuff. No wonder Apple will stay apple, it will never evolve wait maybe they will change thename to http://www.MCBaboon.com/Itmonkey/sorry not supported - we are all idiots.
Sorry but I am certain lots of people feel this way, to apple I am just a number. I think I should buy shares and Force them to fix their product or get fired.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Dude i tried your whole 5 step process and it didnt work, i didnt it twice and it failed both times. is there any other way?
April 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
[...] you might have gathered from the title Apple has screwed up in this area yet again. In their never ending battle to try and forcibly get an install base, from [...]
June 25th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Thank you so much Nick! Finally I was able to fix my iTunes!
August 10th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
friends i installed 7,7 64bit now 5 times and uninstalled it due to malfunction:
using vista 64b ultimate, then
cd C:\Windows\SysWOW64
regsvr32 vbscript.dll
did not work.
when starting itunes it mourns it was not able to create the /my music/itunes folder.
helpful hints will be donated via paypal, kindest regards !
August 10th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Fred,
it sounds like iTunes thinks it’s running under Windows XP. /my music folder doesn’t exist anymore.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
HELP HELP HELP
I have had my Dell Vista Laptop since December 2008 as well as a new I-pod mini. Everytime I install iTunes on my laptop, it makes my DVD/CD Drive disappear! Kind of makes burning/importing CDs impossible. Anyway, neither Dell nor Apple seems to have a fix and I am beyond ticked off as I continue to wait for someone to fix this! I have downloaded Gear device drivers, but that didn’t work. I am afraid to change registrys, as that fix always seems to come with a warning that if you do it wrong, it will render your computer inoperable. Anyone have any ideas????