Windows 10: iTunes Auto Loading at Startup

Here's a tricky one for you (well I think it is anyway!) *Wink

One of the casualties of my upgrade to Win 10 Home was my iTunes library. Basically, iTunes could no longer find my music, even though it hadn't moved. To cut a long story short, I ended up creating a new library and all was well - or so I thought. Since then, however, every time I boot my PC, iTunes loads at startup, and the curious thing is that there is no reference to the programme in any of the startup folders, nor in Task Managers Start Up list. I also use CCleaner, and that also shows that nothing apple related should be running at startup.

Clearly something is causing iTunes to run - any ideas? I should add, there are no iPods connected to the PC, and iTunes helper is also disabled via CCleaner.

Cheers,

Cliff

:)

 

iTunes in Win 10

Here's a tricky one for you (well I think it is anyway!)


One of the casualties of my upgrade to Win 10 Home was my iTunes library. Basically, iTunes could no longer find my music, even though it hadn't moved. To cut a long story short, I ended up creating a new
library and all was well - or so I thought. Since then, however, every time I boot my PC, iTunes loads at startup, and the curious thing is that there is no reference to the programme in any of the startup folders, nor in Task Managers Start Up list. I also
use CCleaner, and that also shows that nothing apple related should be running at startup.

Clearly something is causing iTunes to run - any ideas? I should add, there are no iPods connected to the PC, and iTunes helper is also disabled via CCleaner.

Steps taken so far:

• Un-installed iTunes, then re-installed. Still runs at start up
• Tried loading Windows with all services disabled - iTunes still auto starts
• Found a restore point prior to iTunes misbehaving. Restored to that point - iTunes still auto starts
• Un-installed iTunes again, this time using Revo Uninstaller Pro. It found a shed load
  of registry entries and files etc left behind after the standard install. Removed the lot, and then did the same for Bonjour; Quick Time; and all the other sundry Apple programmes and services. Rebooted
  - all good. Re-installed iTunes from scratch - not good. Back to auto running at start up.

Just to check my sanity, I installed iTunes on our lap top (also Win 10). It runs fine, with no auto loading issues. Seriously, what the hell is going on here, why won't iTunes play nicely on my PC? There
surely has to be a rogue registry entry somewhere causing the issue. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Cliff

 

iTunes in Win 10

Many thanks for this. I did a clean boot, and iTunes did not load, however, I was still unable to trace a cause for the issue and, upon re-booting, iTunes once again loaded on startup. I have since, however, been able to resolve the issue. )

In sheer desperation, I checked everywhere in the Windows registry and could find no reason for iTunes to auto start. Logically then, I considered that perhaps Windows wasn't the culprit and it may be another programme calling on iTunes. With this in mind,
I revisited my startup list and disabled all programmes (even though none were Apple related). Bingo, no iTunes loading!

Having determined that it was, in fact, one of my startup programmes causing the issue, I set about enabling them in batches, and eventually narrowed it down to Plex Media Server. Every time it started, it bought iTunes along for the ride. Nice.

A quick visit to the Plex forums revealed that, since version 12.2, iTunes no longer generates a physical XML file for its library database by default. When I re-created my iTunes library following the initial problem, no new XML file was created. Plex was
therefore starting iTunes in order to gain access to access my music library.

The cure was simple: Just a single tick needed in iTunes in a box: "Share itunes XML with other apps". This forces iTunes to create a physical xml file, and keeps Plex happy.

It took me the best part of 3 days to sort, but things are now running as they should, and hopefully this post may help anyone else in a similar situation.

In hindsight, it was having Plex running at startup which sent me in the wrong direction, as I had assumed that it was the Windows startup routine that was firing up iTunes. A frustrating issue, but on this occasion, Windows 10 is not guilty, and I can resume
loving it once more!

Again, many thanks for taking the time to respond, it really is much appreciated.

Cliff

 

Okay, just bit the bullet and uninstalled iTunes. Ran CCleaner to clean out the registry and did a re-start. All good (well it would be I suppose )

Downloaded and installed iTunes. Did a re-start, and up pops iTunes again. *Mad Checked in CCleaner, and this time, iTunes helper was ticked to run at startup, so disabled this and re-booted and .......... UP POPS ITUNES!!! *Mad*Mad*Mad

There has to be a way of getting rid of this programme at startup short of leaving it uninstalled. It behaved perfectly well before I recreated my iTunes library.

Cliff

 

Just for clarity, here's a shot from Task manager:

 

No one any ideas? Can't believe this has got you guys stumped.

Cliff

 

Just by way of a bump, I have now tried loading Windows with all services disabled. iTunes still starts at bootup. Did a boot into safe mode with network and iTunes didn't start - so it can be stopped somehow!

Checked system restore, and found I had a restore point before iTunes stated to play up. Brilliant! Restored the PC to that point and ....... iTunes starts at bootup!!!!!*Mad*Mad*Mad*Mad*Mad

I surely can't be the only one with this issue - can I?

Cliff

 

Yup - still plugging away. Uninstalled iTunes again, but this time using Revo Uninstaller Pro. It found a shed load of registry entries and files etc left behind after the standard install. Removed the lot, and then did the same for Bonjour; Quick Time; and all the other sundry Apple programmes and services.

Rebooted - all good.

Re-installed iTunes from scratch - not good. Back to auto running at start up.

Just to check my sanity, I installed iTunes on our lap top (also Win 10). It runs fine, with no auto loading issues. Seriously, what the hell is going on here, why won't iTunes play nicely on my PC?

Cliff

 

Well, finally, all sorted.

Checked everywhere in the Windows registry and could find no reason for iTunes to auto start. Logically then, decided that Windows wasn't the culprit and it must be another programme calling on iTunes, so revisited my startup list. Disabled all programmes (even though none were Apple related) and bingo, no iTunes loading.

Finally narrowed it down to Plex Media Server. Every time it started, it bought iTunes along for the ride. Nice.

It transpires that, since version 12.2, iTunes no longer generates a physical XML file for its library database by default. When I re-created my iTunes library following the initial problem, no XML file was created, which Plex needs in order to run its iTunes plug in properly. Plex was therefore starting iTunes in order to access my music library.

The cure was simple. Just a single tick needed in the box "Share itunes XML with other apps". This forces iTunes to create a physical xml file, and keeps Plex happy.

It's only taken me best part of 3 days to sort! Still, hopefully all the effort may help someone else if they have the same issue.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

Thank you for your help, I have been looking for solutions since 4 days.

 

You're welcome - glad it helped someone. *Smile

Cliff

 

It helped me too - I have the same combination of Plex and iTunes. Thank you so much.

 

Finally. Brilliant. Thanks.

 

I know this is an old thread but I recently installed Plex on my Windows 10 system and ran cross this issue. It had me utterly baffled. I did a standard web search which lead me to this thread duplicating my problem and gave me the solution. Thank you!

 

Glad it was of help. *Smile

Cliff