Download Details

Version: 12.13.12.3 (latest)
File size: 193.17 MB
License: Free
Security scan: VirusTotal: 68 of 69 engines say OK (1 flagged)
SHA-256 checksum: 221a24203f6182b7dc0e18055b1e9338a0c3c992c7fefe6b3be0460caf29db4d
Developer: Apple
Supported OS: Windows 11, Windows 10
Installers: 64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86), Offline
Downloads: 14228
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 · 80 reviews
File name(s): iTunes64Setup.exe, iTunesSetup.exe

Reviewed by Mohamed Zaki
Tested on Windows 11 and 10 · November 7, 2026 · How we review

Screenshots

iTunes is Apple’s free media manager and iPhone toolkit for Windows PCs. It plays and organizes music, podcasts and videos, and it syncs, backs up and restores iPhones, iPads and iPods.

It is worth installing if you own an Apple device and use a Windows PC. If you only want a music player, lighter apps do the job with less clutter.

The interface is dated and the app can feel heavy, but nothing else from Apple covers library management and device syncing in a single window.

What is iTunes?

iTunes is Apple’s media player and library manager for Windows. It handles music, podcasts, audiobooks and videos, and it connects your PC to an iPhone, iPad or iPod.

It also opens the iTunes Store, where you can buy music and video and sign in with your Apple ID.

Backing up and restoring an iPhone from a Windows PC

This is the main reason many people install iTunes. You can back up an iPhone to your computer, restore it from that backup and install iOS updates over a cable.

Tip: turn on encryption for the backup if you want saved passwords and health data included.

The downside is that backups take space on your system drive, so check your free storage first.

Moving music to an iPhone: manual or automatic sync

iTunes can sync your whole library, selected playlists or only the albums you tick. Manual management lets you drag songs over without touching the rest.

If your phone fills up fast, sync by playlist instead of the full library.

Turning CDs, purchases and old MP3 folders into one library

You can rip audio CDs, add folders of MP3 files and keep store purchases in the same collection. Smart playlists then build lists from rules such as genre, rating or play count.

Home Sharing lets other devices on your home network browse the library.

The weak spot is tag cleanup. Editing metadata for hundreds of tracks is slower than in dedicated tag editors.

Microsoft Store version or standalone installer

The Store build updates itself and bundles the drivers iTunes needs to talk to a connected iPhone. The standalone installer suits offline setups and people who want to control updates.

Pick one and stay with it. Mixing both on the same PC is a common source of device detection trouble.

Is iTunes safe to install?

The installer comes from Apple Inc. and was checked with VirusTotal. It came back clean apart from a lone flag, which is consistent with a false positive on a large, signed installer.

iTunes installs background services for device support, so expect a few extra Apple entries in your startup and services lists.

When streaming and an Android phone make iTunes pointless

If you stream music and do not own an Apple device, iTunes adds little. It is also heavier than most Windows players, so older PCs may feel slow with a large library.

Apple has also released separate Windows apps for music, TV and device management through the Microsoft Store. They may suit you better if you only need one of those jobs.

How to Download & Install

The green download button at the top of this page gives you the iTunes setup program, an EXE file that runs like any other Windows installer.

Prefer the Microsoft Store route? Apple also lists iTunes there, and that version updates through the Store.

Step 1: Press the download button at the top of this page and let the setup file finish saving to your PC.

Step 2: Double-click the installer. If Windows shows a User Account Control prompt, click Yes. The setup wizard opens on the install screen.

Install iTunes on Windows

Step 3: Choose the install location, the desktop shortcut and whether iTunes becomes the default player for audio files, then click Install.

Step 4: Wait for the setup to complete and click Finish. The final screen confirms that iTunes is installed.

iTunes installed

Step 5: Open iTunes from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut, then sign in with your Apple ID if you want your purchases.

Which installer should you pick?

Main (64-bit) installer: the match for almost any current Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.
32-bit installer: meant for older machines running a 32-bit copy of Windows.
Microsoft Store version: a good option if you want updates handled for you.

To check your edition, open Settings, go to System, then About, and read the system type line.

System requirements

Windows 10 or Windows 11
A 64-bit processor and Windows edition for the main installer (a 32-bit build exists for older systems)
A USB cable if you plan to connect an iPhone, iPad or iPod

How to update iTunes

The Store version updates automatically. The standalone installer shows an update prompt inside the app when Apple releases a new build.

Keep it current if you connect a recent iPhone, because device support comes through iTunes updates.

Fixing common install problems

“This app can’t run on your PC”: you picked the wrong installer. Use the 64-bit one on 64-bit Windows, or the 32-bit one on a 32-bit system.
iPhone not detected: wake the phone, open its home screen, tap Trust when asked, then try another cable or USB port.
Setup fails or stops halfway: uninstall any older iTunes from Settings, restart Windows and run the installer again as administrator.

Pros & Cons

What we liked

Backs up and restores iPhones
Syncs music, podcasts and videos
Free from Apple Inc.
Smart playlists and CD ripping
64-bit and 32-bit installers

What we didn't like

Heavy on older PCs
Dated interface
Slow tag editing for big libraries

Best iTunes Alternatives

Kodi
Free open-source media center for organizing movies, music and photos.

Conclusion

4.6out of 5 · 80 user ratings

iTunes covers two jobs at once: a media library and an iPhone manager. Few apps on Windows do both.

The table below shows what the main alternatives offer, so you can match the tool to the job.

App	Best For	Price	Platform	Standout Feature
iTunes	iPhone sync and a mixed media library	Free	Windows 10/11	Backup, restore and iOS updates in one app
Apple Devices	Managing an iPhone without a media player	Free	Windows 11	Backup and restore from a simple Apple app
MusicBee	Large local music collections	Free	Windows	Strong tag editing and library tools
foobar2000	A light, customizable audio player	Free	Windows	Small footprint with component add-ons

Final verdict

Install iTunes if you connect an iPhone, iPad or iPod to a Windows PC and want backups, restores and music syncing from one place.

Skip it if you only play local files or stream, because MusicBee or foobar2000 will feel faster and less cluttered.

FAQ

Does iTunes work on Windows 11 64-bit?

Yes, iTunes runs on 64-bit Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Use the 64-bit installer, or the Microsoft Store version if you prefer automatic updates.

Which iTunes installer do I need, 64-bit or 32-bit?

Most modern PCs need the 64-bit installer.

Choose 32-bit only if Settings, System, About shows a 32-bit operating system.

Is iTunes free on Windows?

Yes, iTunes is free to install and use on Windows.

You only pay if you buy content from the iTunes Store or subscribe to a paid Apple service.

Why does iTunes not recognize my iPhone on Windows?

Wake the iPhone, open its home screen and tap Trust when it asks about the computer.

If it still does not appear, try another cable or USB port, restart both devices and reinstall iTunes.

Do I still need iTunes to back up an iPhone on a PC?

You can back up an iPhone to a Windows PC with iTunes, which also restores it and installs iOS updates.

Apple’s separate Devices app on Windows 11 can also handle those tasks.

Can I move my iTunes library to a new PC?

Yes, copy the iTunes folder from your old PC to the same location on the new one.

Close iTunes before copying, and keep the folder structure unchanged so the library finds your files.

Found a problem with this download? Report an outdated version, broken link, suspicious installer or incorrect information.

Changelog - What's new in version 12.13.12.3

This update adds support for new devices.

iTunes