Clearing iTunes from registry

I had problems with iTunes not finding music files after I moved them. So rather than telling iTunes where the new location of over 1000 files were, I uninstalled it and then reinstalled it hoping that it would then pick up the new file locations when it imported the music. Imagine my surprise when it reinstalled with the old file locations and did not go through the importing of all of the files.

So I uninstalled it again and then looked through the registry and much to my surprise found several references to iTunes. This is probably why it picked up on the old file locations and did not import files like it would on it's initial install. At least this is my working theory.

How can I clear my system so I can do a fresh install and have iTunes import files like it should on it's initial install? Do I need to clear my registry of all references to iTunes, and how would I do this? Is there a registry cleaner such as Regedit that I can use that would remove all references to a program no longer installed on my system? I've used Regedit in the past with older OS's with good results, but the last time I looked it didn't list Windows 7 as being compatible so I'm a little leery about using it.

Hey SmokingMan,

Download ccleaner and run this software using its registry scanner. You can also use the normal cleaning mode and it will speed your computer up a ton. Ultra useful.

Let us know,
Ben

Download the free version of revo uninstaller and uninstall iTunes using the program. It searches the computer after it uninstalls the program for any leftover registry entries or files.

Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download

Packet,
He is asking for a fresh install of itunes. There is nothing wrong with his songs.. he just needs to run ccleaner, clean all registry files, reinstall, and he will be all set.

If not, there could be more then 1 issue.

Let us know,
Ben

Packet said:

i could be wrong here (that's the usual caveat), but my understanding is that itunes doesnt use registry locations for your media files.
rather, it uses the itunes folders in your user profile (my music\itunes, app data\apple\etc etc) where it maintains in xml format, your target media file locations.

so if you delete / rename said folders, you should have a clean itunes install again... just saying, before you go about tearing up the reg

EDIT: some paths to get you started:
\My Music\iTunes

and within AppData (I think it's Roaming), Apple Computer\iTunes

After posting I started looking around (I get impatient) and did a search for iTunes files and found several folders and the xml file. I deleted these files and then reinstalled iTunes and it worked. It must be magic

But I will take a look at Ccleaner and Revo uninstaller because I would like to be able to get rid of registry entries that no longer point to anything. Thanks y'all!