How to Install and Update iTunes on Windows 10/11

iTunes installation and update process on Windows

To install iTunes on Windows without the Microsoft Store, go to support.apple.com/en-us/docs/software/pl296, download the 64-bit iTunesSetup.exe (or the 32-bit build for older PCs), and run it. To update later, open iTunes and click Help > Check for Updates — Apple Software Update handles the rest.

Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 14, 2026

How to Download and Install iTunes on Windows (Without Microsoft Store)

Key Takeaways

  • Apple still maintains a standalone iTunes installer outside the Microsoft Store at support.apple.com/en-us/docs/software/pl296. This is the only way to get the full desktop iTunes on Windows — the Microsoft Store version is the stripped-down Apple Devices app.
  • Pick the 64-bit installer on any modern Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Only download the 32-bit version if System Type in Settings > System > About reports 32-bit operating system.
  • iTunes updates through its own built-in channel: Help > Check for Updates. The standalone build does not auto-update, so this is a manual step.
  • If the Microsoft Store is broken or missing, my reinstall the Microsoft Store guide covers the fix, but the standalone iTunes installer below does not need the Store at all.

Quick Steps

  1. Open Apple’s iTunes download page.
  2. Click the Windows 64-bit link (or the 32-bit link for older hardware).
  3. Run iTunesSetup.exe and accept the defaults in the installer.
  4. Launch iTunes and accept the licence terms.
  5. To update later, open iTunes and click Help > Check for Updates.

In This Guide

This guide covers the two tasks every Windows iTunes user needs:

Install iTunes on Windows Without the Microsoft Store

Apple publishes two versions of iTunes for Windows — the Microsoft Store release (rebranded as Apple Devices, Apple TV, and Apple Music) and the classic standalone desktop installer. The standalone version is the one most people actually want: it syncs iPhones and iPads, burns CDs, manages ringtones, and restores iOS devices the traditional way. If the Microsoft Store on your PC is missing or broken, see my Microsoft Store reinstall guide, but the installer below does not need it.

  1. Open Apple’s iTunes download page in your browser.
  2. Scroll to the Looking for other versions? section.
  3. Click iTunes 12.13.5 for Windows (64-bit). Only choose the 32-bit build if your PC is 32-bit.
  4. Run the downloaded iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64Setup.exe) as administrator.
  5. Click Next through the installer, leave the defaults, and click Install.
  6. When the installer finishes, click Finish. iTunes launches automatically — accept the licence agreement to reach the main library window.
Apple support page showing the standalone iTunes for Windows download links with 64-bit and 32-bit options.

Tip: Not sure whether your PC is 32-bit or 64-bit? Press Windows + I, open System > About, and read the System type line. Anything built in the last decade is 64-bit.

Alternative: Install iTunes With WinGet or UniGetUI

WinGet pulls the same standalone installer directly from Apple and handles the administrator prompts in one command. Open an elevated PowerShell window and run:

winget install --id Apple.iTunes -e --source winget

If you prefer a GUI, my UniGetUI guide wraps WinGet in a cleaner interface. UniGetUI also handles future updates alongside the rest of your installed software, which removes the manual Check for Updates step below.

Update iTunes to the Latest Version

How to Update iTunes on Windows (Get the LATEST VERSION of iTunes)

The standalone iTunes installer does not auto-update the way the Microsoft Store build does. Apple ships security patches and iOS device compatibility fixes regularly, so it pays to check every couple of weeks — especially after a new iPhone release, when iTunes needs a matching sync driver.

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. Click the Help menu in the top bar, then choose Check for Updates.
  3. If an update is available, Apple Software Update opens with iTunes pre-selected.
  4. Click Install 1 item and approve the UAC prompt.
  5. Restart the PC when prompted so Apple Mobile Device Support drivers reload cleanly.
iTunes on Windows with the Help menu open and Check for Updates highlighted to trigger the Apple Software Update process.

After the reboot, open iTunes again and repeat Help > Check for Updates. When the dialog reports This version of iTunes is the latest version, the install is current.

Note: The “Check for Updates” menu item lives under Help on the desktop iTunes only. The Microsoft Store Apple Devices app has no such menu — it updates automatically through the Store.

Troubleshooting iTunes on Windows

The installer says iTunes is already installed. Uninstall every Apple product first — iTunes, Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple Software Update, Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit), and Bonjour — in that order from Settings > Apps > Installed apps, then rerun the installer. Leaving any of those in place causes the installer to refuse.

iTunes does not recognise my iPhone or iPad. Disconnect the device, open Services (services.msc), and start Apple Mobile Device Service. Reconnect the iPhone and tap Trust on the phone when prompted.

Apple Software Update crashes when checking for updates. Close iTunes, open Apple Software Update manually from the Start menu, and let it complete. If it still fails, download the latest standalone installer from Apple and run it over the existing version — it performs an in-place upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is iTunes still available for Windows in 2026?

Yes. Apple still publishes the classic desktop version of iTunes for Windows 10 and Windows 11 on its support site. Apple now pushes a newer Microsoft Store experience split into Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices, but the standalone iTunes build remains the full-featured option.

Should I use the 32-bit or 64-bit iTunes?

Use the 64-bit version on any modern PC. Only pick the 32-bit build if Settings > System > About > System type reports 32-bit operating system, which is only possible on very old hardware.

Why is iTunes not in the Microsoft Store anymore?

Apple replaced the Store version of iTunes with three split apps — Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices — in 2024. For syncing, restoring, and managing iPhones/iPads, most users still prefer the standalone desktop iTunes from Apple’s support site.

How do I check which iTunes version I have installed?

Open iTunes and click Help > About iTunes. The scrolling credits panel shows the full version number on the first line — for example, 12.13.5.5.

Do I need to restart after updating iTunes?

Yes. Apple Software Update replaces drivers for Apple Mobile Device Support, and those drivers only load cleanly after a reboot. Skipping the restart often causes iTunes to fail to recognise connected iPhones and iPads.

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