Overcome iTunes Freezing in Windows in Windows 10 & Previous Versions

A lot of people have recently complained that iTunes, a digital audio player from Apple, freezes as soon as they connect an iPhone or other iOS-based device. It’s quite frustrating since there is no much information available at the support knowledge base. If you’re running into this issue and need to overcome iTunes Freezing in Windows 10 & previous versions, follow the solutions given below.

Speed up iTunes Automatically

One easy way to enhance iTunes performance is to clean and optimize your computer. You can rely on CCleaner Professional  System Utilisation tool which has 7+ optimisation features. Its services optimisation feature is most effective to boost iTunes functionality. Try it here: Speed up iTunes Easily.

Update iTunes To Overcome iTunes Freezing in Windows 10

An older version of iTunes may behave strangely. To ensure it works smoothly, update it to a newer version compatible with the Windows version installed on your computer.

1. Open the iTunes media player.
2. Click the Help menu.
3. Select Check for Updates option.

Delete Dupes

Duplicate files are inevitable. Fortunately, iTunes has an inbuilt feature to automatically detect duplicate songs.

1. Select the playlist you’d like to check for dupes.
2. Click the View menu.
3. Select Show duplicate items.
4. All dupes will now be highlighted. Select multiple items, right-click the selection and choose Delete.

Recommended: The pre-built dupes finding feature in iTunes isn’t sufficient. To thoroughly search for duplicate iTunes media all over your hard disk, removable storage, download Sorcim’s Clone Files Checker. It enables users to find dupes by artist, title and using various music tags.

Disable Automatic Synchronization

Syncing, an abbreviation of synchronizing, is the process of making files available at both the destinations. Any changes that you make to the original file are automatically reflected at the other end, courtesy synchronization. However, this uses your system resources and causes iTunes to freeze.

1. Click the Edit menu.
2. Select Preferences.
3. In the new dialog that appears, click the Devices tab.
4. Select the Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from syncing automatically box.
5. Click OK.

Eliminate Unneeded iTunes Plug-Ins

Plug-ins can significantly slow down iTunes. Get rid of the plug-ins you do not use.

1. Click the File Explorer icon on your Taskbar.
2. Click the View tab on the Ribbon interface.
3. Select the Hidden items box.
4. Open the following path:
   • C:\Users\User_Name\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-Ins
5. Select all folder contents or the plug-ins that you’d like to remove.
6. Click the Home tab.
7. Click Move To icon.
8. Select a destination folder where you’d like to move all plug-ins.

Update Connected Device

Besides iPod, iPhone and iPad are widely used for syncing media and downloading content from the iTunes Store, a place where you buy new music of your favorite artist. Make sure the iOS-based device driver is updated.

1. Connect your iOS-based device.
2. Press Windows Key + X; choose Device Manager.
3. Expand the top node from the left panel.
4. Right-click your device (iPhone, iPad or iPod) and select Update driver software.
5. Choose to automatically download & update the driver.

Delete Smart Playlist

Do you see any smart playlist on the left panel? If you don’t use it, remove it instantly.

1. Expand the Playlist category on the left.
2. Right click the Smart Playlist, select Delete option.
3. In the confirmation box, click Delete.

Disable Downloading Album Artwork

Every time you play a music file, iTunes downloads associated album artwork. Prevent downloading of data and fix iTunes freezes.

1. Press the Alt key to show menu bar.
2. Click the Edit menu.
3. Choose Preferences.
4. In the new dialog, click Store tab.
5. Uncheck the box named Automatically download album artwork.
6. Click OK.

I hope following the above steps you are now able to overcome iTunes Freezing in Windows 10 issue. Please let me know via comments if you have any further issue.

Himadri Subrah Saha

Himadri is an ICT Professional who writes for his technology tips & tricks related blog TechnTechie. Though it is hard to balance time in between professional life and blogging, he still manages time to work for his own blog and writes almost regularly. The dashboard of this WordPress is the only place where he does not feel tired! Read my other blogs @ PetCare and Teleinfo