iTunes won't start, on a locked disk... list goes on.

Had exactly the same frustrating problem. Installed Wedows Media Center, then I could not open iTunes. received the same message. Tried everything on this thread.
Then saw a post from another thread to delete the Genius Library file. Did it, and iTunes opened!

You may want to try and change it from the Administrator account.


win 7 and vista steps:
1.Right click my computer and click Manage
2. go to Local users and groups
3.double click users
4. click on administrator and un-check (Account is disabled)
5. ok then log off
6. If you do not see an account called administrator on your Login screen press (Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
7. Other users, Type Administrator and enter (no pass)
8.Navigate to C:/users/X/Music
9.disable read only.
10. take ownership of the folder if it does not allow you, or better yet give ownership to your account

Hope this hellps :)

After I had added my 360 as an extender, itunes was locked out for me too... I looked all around and tried everything, but nothing seemed to work so this is what I did:

1.) Open Windows Media Center
2.) Click on Tasks and then Settings
3.) Click on Start Menu and Extras
4.) Click on Extras Library Options
5.) Make sure that the option "Control the media experience in Windows Media Center" is UNCHECKED
6.) Click Save and try opening iTunes it worked for me

Arc

I have been pulling my hair out for months trying to get Itunes to open. Your "takeownership.zip" fixed this very frustrating problem.
Many, many thanks
Gene

I just want to say this just to say this, apple in my opinion is pretty bad at coding software, both Windows and mac.

I've been using iTunes on win7 64 the past few weeks, coming from apple side for 5 years, and think the win7 version is better. So far, no problems. I put the music/movie folder on it's own separate drive, changed the settings, and been lucky so far.

Hi all,
I solved my problem and I've just registered on here to pass on what I know to try to help other poor souls that have this issue. I havent got the perfect step by step solution but hopefully it will help.

So yes, I decided to use my Xbox to view photos on my PC via the Extender thing & Windows Media Center.
Big mistake, WMC is really slow and laggy and basically useless so I have since discovered on other forums.

By doing this it locked my USER folder (a little lock appeared on my USER folder name)
I got the message you are all getting, folder or file locked etc..

I searched all the forums and tried various things. no one thing was the magic solution.

What I can say is that it's all to do with ownership of a) your own folder and b) the Itunes library file.

I think the zip file above could be useful as a starting point. However, it did NOT change all the permissions correctly for the itunes folder.

check who is the owner of your itunes folder/files.
go properties, security, advanced, ownership << and check that you and not some other thing is the owner of the folder/file. you can manually amend I think.

check also properties, sharing < to see if the folder/files is shared with everyone, mine wasnt.


someone said that you should go to the itunes library file and go: general, advanced and untick the two things: under file attributes. I did that and it might have helped. but note: now that my itunes is working, both are ticked again so could be a red herring.

someone said, do a couple of check disk jobs. Media Centre locked drive - Microsoft Answers my USER folder seems to become unlocked at this point (although it might have been other things I did). worth doing though

NOTE! I was able to run itunes via Admin control. Start/right click on itunes.exe and run as a admin. I was also to sync my iphone and everything. so this was a relief but of course the original issue wasnt fixed but as least I could sync.

I had not removed WMC at this point, but I DID click on Start Menu and EXtras in WMC and untick the box that says that it will control all media. worth doing and saving.

my breakthrough was cut/pasting the itunes library.itl into another new folder within the itunes folder so that itunes couldnt FIND the library file and hey presto, itunes opened via my normal user account

but it did have any music listed of course. I then ensured the the old library file was properly owned by me and is shared. then COPIED it back into the proper location. started itunes and by some miracle, it worked.

other notes:
system restore didnt work for me
I never reinstalled itunes during all this, dont bother
my USER folder still has "read only" ticked, but I can use it normally. weird.
I still have WMC installed
I never tried to mess with Administrator account stuff or login as Admin. My user account has admin privileges.
I never touched my anti virus (Zone Alarm) during all this

bloody computers!

good luck all.

ARC, You are a genius! Much appreciate your help and the file, seems you are the only one that makes it easy

I went through the fuss of registering just to applaud you celery! You're advice was the best advice. After an hour and a half of frustration, your solution worked.

check who is the owner of your itunes folder/files.
go properties, security, advanced, ownership << and check that you and not some other thing is the owner of the folder/file.