iTunes (iTunes64 on 圆4 systems) is Apple's all-purpose media player/device sync application.If you’d prefer an even lighter option, try the unofficial QuickTime Alternative, which runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. If you don't have an iPod or other Apple-branded device and all you want is the ability to play QuickTime files, go to Apple’s QuickTime download page and choose the QuickTime-only option (don’t select the QuickTime with iTunes option, which includes the full, bloated iTunes installer). QuickTime is required if you want to use iTunes. The big selling point is support for the QuickTime movie (.mov) format, via the standalone player or an embedded ActiveX control. QuickTime is Apple's multimedia framework, a collection of codecs, plugins, DLLs, and several players designed to help you play back digital media files in most popular formats.

Here's an unvarnished description of each installer: I've also updated my advice for individual scenarios so that you can make intelligent choices instead of simply settling for Apple's defaults. It contains detailed, up-to-date instructions for cracking open that gigantic iTunes installer and installing just the pieces you want and need. It installs a network service that many iTunes users don't need and that has been associated with security and reliability issues.Īnd you wonder why I dislike iTunes with a passion that burns like the fire of a thousand suns? It configures two 'helper' programs to start automatically every time you start your PC, giving you no easy way to disable them. Why is that important? When you run the iTunes setup program, it unpacks six Windows Installer packages and a master setup program, which then installs nearly 300MB of program and support files, a kernel-mode CD/DVD-burning driver, multiple system services, and a bunch of browser plugins. Apple still gives its customers a monolithic iTunes setup program with absolutely no options to pick and choose based on your specific needs. Now that iTunes 10 has been released, it's apparent that nothing has changed in Cupertino. One of the most popular posts I wrote in 2008 was a set of step-by-step instructions to help you do what Apple doesn't want you to do with iTunes for Windows (see Slimming down the bloated iTunes installer).

How do i install itunes on mac