Apple tells Windows iTunes users not to install Vista

Filed under: Business, Internet, Photo, Utilities, Video, Windows, Web services, Apple

Apple tells Windows iTunes users not to install Vista

by Chris Gilmer Feb 3rd 2007

Apple has been warning Windows users of iTunes to wait until the next upgrade before installing Microsoft's new Vista Operating System. Apple has come across a number of compatibility issues that may cause issues between the iTunes player, iPod, and Vista. Problems that might occur include not being able to play music or videos purchased from the iTunes store, issues with syncing content and calendars, and sluggish runtimes.

Geesh! This makes me want to run out and grab Vista. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited that Microsoft launched Vista after all these years, but we all knew there would be issues. This little tidbit from Apple just makes me want to wait a little while longer before running the install since I don't think I would be able to live without a properly functioning iTunes player.

Apple has said that it might not affect all Windows users, but there are some serious concerns that it is not going to recommend the install. Look out for a new iTunes update though. Apple is planning to release a version that will correct any compatibility issues.

Below is Apple's iTunes, version 7.0.2 and earlier, on Vista compatibility issue list:

iTunes Store purchases may not play when upgrading to Windows Vista from Windows 2000 or XP.
iPod models with the "Enable Disk Use" option turned off may be unable to update or restore iPod software, and make changes to iPod settings.
iPod models configured to Auto Sync and have the "Enable Disk Use" option turned off may require being ejected and reconnected to resync.
Ejecting an iPod from the Windows System Tray using the "Safely Remove Hardware" feature may corrupt your iPod. To always safely eject an iPod, choose Eject iPod from the Controls menu within iTunes.
Cover Flow animation may be slower than expected.
Contacts and calendars will not sync with iPod.

Apple has come up with a list or steps for Windows iTunes users to do that are still planning on upgrading to Vista, accessible here.

Tags: apple, ipod, itunes, music, player, video, vista, windows

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jared said 5:31PM on 2-03-2007

Soooo...Apple has, what, 5 years notice on Vista and still can't ship a compatible piece of software when its released? Pathetic. I'm gonna go ahead a file this as an underhanded means of making Vista look bad by Apple.

mettmann said 5:48PM on 2-03-2007

next thing you know, Apple will tell us when to wipe our ass...

Angela Parker said 7:17PM on 2-03-2007

Actually, this is a Vista deal. I've been reading about it across the web for a couple weeks. In order to help curtail illegal ripping of music and video content, Vista has added programming which not only causes problems with legitimate content, but also causes performance issues with the operating system. I had planned on upgrading to Vista the moment it arrived on my Tablet PC. Now, I'll be waiting for a long while -- and I'm seriously considering going to Linux again. (I just dread the learning curve.)

epobirs said 8:22PM on 2-03-2007

#3

What you been reading is a load of lies from people who've done no real-life verification with Vista itself. The Gutmann paper is so full of wild speculation and outright lies that it defies belief. I've been running the final Vista for a good while yet and have had problems whatsoever running all sorts of operations that are claimed to be curtailed. The fact is the DRM only applies to some very specific content, mainly HD-DVD and Blu-ray material. So long as the code would be up to the standards required for XP certification, it'll work on Vista.

The fact is that Apple had many, many months to test iTunes with Vista betas says a lot about how Apple regards its Windows user base. For a long time they were forcing iTunes on those who just wanrted to get QuickTime. If Microsoft did a forced bundle like that the virtual lynch mobs would be up in arms.

The fact is that Apple dropped the ball here. They'd rather try to make Vista look bad with their shoddy programming practices than serve their customers. Since I don't and never would use iTunes I'm not affected. Everything I need to do on a daily basis I'm doing on Vista already.

epobirs said 8:24PM on 2-03-2007

Ooops, dropped a 'no' there. It should read 'no problems whatsoever.' The bigger problem is my neglecting to proofread before posting.

Zatch said 8:36PM on 2-03-2007

Good thing I haven't plugged in my iPod yet! I have problems running video podcasts too...they are sluggish. Hopefully it's not my videocard/RAM stumbling and this fixes it...

Jason said 9:46PM on 2-03-2007

Thats kind of funny... seeing as though Windows users make up 95% of the iPod install base you would have thought that Apple would have atleast installed the RTM version and built a patch to iTunes based on that... it has already been out for almost 2 months!

It's funny how Apple mocks Microsoft so much... Apple's computer business in nothing compared to thier iPod business and ALMOST ALL OF THAT BUSINESS relies on Windows. The iPod couldn't exist without Windows.

Oh and I'm sure all those users out there will HOLD OFF on Vista just to make sure they can still purchase stuff from Apple once its installed.

Se7en said 11:34PM on 2-03-2007

Gee epobirs,your bigger problem is knowing exactly what a "fact" is. :p

dennis said 1:03AM on 2-04-2007

well, iTunes isn't the greatest bit of code on planet earth but vista will be no thrill-a-minute for its users either...

any OS that puts in its EULA that it can summarily delete code you've installed because its manufacturer doesn't like it isn't something that should be trusted by its users, period. if i buy and pay for it, I SHOULD BE THE SOLE DETERMINANT of what code runs there.

i'm with apple. don't install vista, EVER. that is MY PC, not Billy Gate's and it is not his company's right to determine the code i or anyone else install and use on their PC. he and the Big Media a$$wipes they are trying to please can kiss my fat, white Royal American a$$.

XP is the last mickeysoft OS to see the inside of a PC i own, period. i may not run right out to buy a mac but there is an alternative (Linux) and it is pretty damn close to being a complete replacement for Gate's crappy attempt at an OS...

LordDaMan said 1:12AM on 2-04-2007

#8
I know. how DARE a anti-spyware program delete spyware! Next they will be doing something as horrible as an anti-virus deleting viruses!

Really man, do you think microsoft of all people would just delete files? How long do you think thier buiness would last if it did that or if it was even remotly the same as you said it is?

Spex said 11:13AM on 2-04-2007

>.> OK, for all the "ZOMG! DOWN WITH BILL!!" commenters, all I can say is chill out. Bill Gates is not out to get you and if were true that they can delete any code they didn't like on your computer, there would no Windows hacking tools, or XBox Emulators.

But, onto the real topic - I've had no issues with iTunes what so ever. Any compatibility issues I've had with other programs were solved after Vista's launch day updates.

To put it simply, Vista is worth-while upgrade. To be honest, I don't know how I ever lived without such a readily available search everywhere. (And don't whine about how it was on Mac first, cuse I really don't care. I don't use Macs, so regardless, that doesn't effect me.)

And way to many people are assuming Aero is a resource hog, but when I turned it off, my RAM usage only went down by 2%.

I used to think Bill was a good-for-nothing money hog too, but with Vista coming out, I call Microsoft a bit more changed. Vista is everything they would've wanted XP to be and far more.

M$ wins this round, and you loose. Get over it guys, honestly.

PS
Stop complaining about the DRM too, guys. There's sure to be ways to remove it anyhow, and even if their arn't, who cares? DRM is a bitch, but it's not a horrible inconvenience. I don't support it, but it does make sense.

Moore said 4:15PM on 2-04-2007

... I use Foobar to load/unload my iPod. iTunes sucks donkey c*ck. Sorry... but it truly does.

Brian! said 2:50AM on 2-05-2007

Hahaha.

First, try Anapod Explorer. It is far better than iTunes for connecting your iPod to your PC anyway.

Second, this is stupid. Quite frankly, Apple is going to fix their software. Do you think for a moment that Apple wants to loose sales of iTunes purchases? Because I know that the average PC user who buys their new computer is going to want the new OS, and they like the idea of "HD Suppport" more than they care about "DRM".

Quite frankly, this is just lame corporate attacks. How convenient it is for Apple to have a large brand market share in a computer accessory (iPod) and then not a week after release of their competitors OS tell their customer base that upgrading to that OS is not recommended? Seriously?

What bothers me about this is how Apple paints their company as one that is out for us, the consumers. From the beginning they make themselves out to be "our friends". But they are just another big corporation out for their share holders over us. It is hard to find large companies that balance ethics with profits.

My final thought... I don't purchase stuff off iTunes anymore anyway. The video playback is horrible on my PC. Fullscreen is a paid upgrade, but on a ultra fast PC, Quicktime still cannot play back without studdering. And for me, music is way better ripped from a CD and then I have a non-DRM master that I can put on any device I own at high-quality.

Moore said 6:44AM on 2-05-2007

I have never bought anything DRM and never will do so. It's just sad.

Franz said 12:08PM on 2-05-2007

Until the next upgrade??? Now when would that be?? Has anybody here defied the Apple directive and actually succeeded in making iTunes work in Vista? I'll be doing just that this weekend. I found a Web site (http://www.radarsync.com/vista) which has a complete databse of Windows Vista drivers. That should get rid of any incompatibility problem that one might encounter when using the new Microsoft OS.

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