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iTunes starts every time I boot my Windows 7 computer. How can I prevent iTunes from starting on Windows startup? Is there a simple setting or do I need to edit the Windows registry to accomplish this?

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migrated from apple.stackexchange.com Nov 10 '11 at 2:54


Try looking here? sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html –  user99736 Nov 10 '11 at 2:12
yea, kind of a simple question for superuser. I meant to post this on apple.stackexchange.com but I was in a hurry and accidently posted to superuser.com. Would have been a good contribution to the apple knowledge base. –  steampowered Nov 10 '11 at 15:58

3 Answers 3

up vote 5 down vote accepted
  1. Go to "Start"
  2. Click on "Run"
  3. In the Open box type "msconfig" and then click "OK"
  4. Select the "Startup" tab at the top
  5. De-select iTunes from the list and click "Apply" then "OK".

You may need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.

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If you do what wizlog suggested and iTunes is still starting automatically, it could be related to your iPod. iTunes is set--by default--to automatically launch iTunes if it detects an iPod. There is a setting in iTunes, which disables this function.

Edit: This also includes iPhones and iPads too

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Since MSConfig has already been suggested I can advise you to try CCleaner, a freeware program for cleaning cookies and unnecessary data and with which you can also disable unneeded programs from starting up with a really simple dialogue.

What you (also) need to disable is iTunesHelper which boots up iTunes everytime it detects an iPod/iPhone plugged in. You will be able to find the entry for ituneshelper.exe if you use msconfig or any other start-up application manager.


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