Update 10/3/2012: Updated for iTunes 10.7, 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7. Updated location of “Drivers” folder in 64-bit Windows 7 and iTunes 10. If you don’t have the latest version of iTunes, you can download it here.
After searching the net and lots of forums and trying lots of things, I thought I’d post the solution that actually worked for me. I owe a great deal of thanks to Chris123nt
for this post (link removed, blog post no longer exists) for pointing me in the right direction.
First off, you will know if the solution below will work for you if you have the following set-up and symptoms:
• Windows 7 and iTunes 8, 9 or 10 (I tried all versions, and many commenters have indicated this issue still exists in iTunes 10)
• An iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad
• You receive the following error when you plug in your iPhone: “This iPhone cannot be used because the required software is not installed. Run the iTunes installer to remove iTunes, then re-install iTunes.”
• The Apple Mobile Device Service was not installed (to check this, click Start, Run, then type “services.msc” Look for “Apple Mobile Device”. If it doesn’t exist, keep reading. If it does, you have a different problem.)
• You have tried installing and re-installing iTunes already and it didn’t work
• According to other forums / posts, you might have tried extracting the Apple Mobile Device Software install files separately from the iTunes installer and installing manually that way, and it still didn’t work
The problem is, for some reason, iTunes won’t install the Apple Mobile Device software or service. Even if you extract out the AMDS installation files, it still fails. The SOLUTION is to take the software and service from a working machine for AMDS and manually install it. Then, it will work!
Luckily for you, I have provided the files you will need and installation instructions. This is a bit technical, but obviously worth it to get your iPhone, iTouch or iPad working on windows 7. These instructions are for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 and the latest version of iTunes 10. Depending on whether you have 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, make sure you select the appropriate files and follow the right instructions, otherwise it won’t work.
If you don’t know whether you have 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, right-click on “Computer”, click Properties, then look under “System type”.
NOTE: As of iTunes 10, for 64-bit Windows, Apple moved the location of the Drivers folder. In iTunes 9 it was in Program Files (x86)/Common Files/… now in iTunes 10 it is located in Program Files/Common Files/.
Good luck!
1. First of all, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed. You can download it from here. These instructions will NOT work for iTunes 8 or 9 anymore. If you’re unsure, just uninstall iTunes then re-install with the latest files.
2. Next, you need to manually copy the Mobile Device Support directory from a working machine to your Windows 7 computer. Luckily, I have conveniently provided these files for you. You can download them here:
64-Bit iTunes 10.7: Please click here to download this directory for 64-bit Windows.
32-Bit iTunes 10.7: Please click here to download this directory for 32-bit Windows.
3. Once you download that file, you need to Unzip it to this directory.IMPORTANT: Make sure you unzip the CONTENTS of the zip file, don’t just copy over the zip file:
32-Bit: Unzip to C:Program FilesCommon FilesApple
64-Bit: Unzip to C:Program Files (x86)Common FilesAppleThere are a large number of files in that directory, so it may take a little time, please be patient
4. 64-bit only step (if you have 32-bit Windows skip to Step 5): First, check if you already have this folder. Navigate to: C:Program FilesCommon FilesAppleMobile Device SupportDrivers
If this folder exists, you can skip to step 5. Otherwise complete these steps: You need to download an extra file to get these drivers. Click here to download the “Drivers” folder for 64-bit Windows 7 iTunes 10. Once downloaded, do this:
Navigate to C:Program FilesCommon FilesApple and unzip the contents of the ZIP file you just downloaded. You should end up with a new folder “Mobile Device Support” in the Apple folder.
5. Next, we have to merge the registry entries that will install the Apple Mobile Device service.
First, download the registry entries that I have provided for you here:
64-bit iTunes 10.7: Click here to download the registry entries for 64-bit Windows.
32-bit iTunes 10.7: Click here to download the registry entries for 32-bit Windows.
After you download the registry entries ZIP file, unzip it to your desktop and double-click each to install it. Say “Yes” to any prompts or confirmations about adding it to the registry. There are 2 entries, make sure you click BOTH and add BOTH to the registry.
6. Now, we need to install the correct driver for your iPhone / iTouch. Windows 7 incorrectly identifies the device as a digital camera. To fix this:
- Plug in your iPhone / iTouch (don’t have iTunes loaded at this time)
- Go to Device Manager (Click Start, right-click Computer, then click Properties. In the window that appears choose “Device Manager” on the left)
- Scroll down and find “Apple iPod” or “Apple iPhone” or “Apple iTouch”. It will likely be under the “Portable Devices” category.IMPORTANT NOTE: If your device is already listed under “Universal serial Bus Controllers” and not Portable Devices, you can skip these steps and go to Step 7.
- Right-click the Apple device and choose “Update Driver Software…”
- Choose “Browse my computer for driver software” in the window that appears
- It will ask you for a location; you want to Browse to this folder (location is the same in 32 and 64 bit Windows):
32-bit and 64-bit: C:Program FilesCommon FilesAppleMobile Device SupportDrivers
- Click Next
- It should find the driver for your device; let it install that driver
7. Once you complete these steps, reboot your computer. Once you reboot everything should work exactly as expected!
