Windows 7 x64 freezes freezing iTunes iPod iPhone iPad sync [SOLVED]

Ok..... this one had me really tearing my hair out. For months, trying to get iTunes to "see" my Apple iPhone on my Windows 7 x64 system was like pulling teeth. But I've finally got it to work with a compatibility workaround!

Symptoms:

1) Start iTunes
2) Plug in iPhone
3) iTunes freezes for at least 5 minutes or longer
4) iTunes becomes responsive but no iPhone is recognised (thus no sync can happen)

This would also happen with 1) & 2) reversed (i.e. plugin phone (which Windows 7 x64 recognises immediately)) and then start iTunes. Same freeze up/lock up for 5 mins or longer.

What I tried:

I'd love to bill Apple for the lost time where I tried almost everything out there written on the web. There are hundreds of threads about this very problem going back at least three years.

I tried Apple's "fixes" by restarting their services - no joy
I tried (of course) updating all drivers (Win 7 said I was using latest drivers OK)
I tried updating to every new issue of iTunes that came out but there was never any resolution.
I've wiped out Apple softeare and reinstalled, System Restored and all to no avail.

Then I realised the real problem. Actually the iTunes/iPhone/Win7 x64 combination just does not work, period. Apple seem unwilling (or can't be bothered to effect a fix). They must know about this its all over the net. They just don't care.

So... the solution:

1) Right click the iTunes icon
2) Click 'Properties'
3) Click the 'Compatibility' Tab
4) In the Compatibility Mode box tick "Run this program in Compatibility mode for:"
5) From the dropdown select "Windows Vista (Service Pack 2)".

Now when I open iTunes I get a warning box (telling me it's in compatibility mode). This is the only drawback. Ignoring that and continuing to open iTunes is fine. iTunes looks and behaves exactly the same. Except it doesn't lock up for 5 minutes!

So:

n.b. I've found doing it this way round is best for response times. Get iTunes going first.
1) Open iTunes
2) Plug in your iPhone/iPod/iPad
3) It will freeze for about 5-10 SECONDS so don't panic!! then..........
4) Hey presto your device will appear there in the left hand bar ready to work with, add music too, sync etc. Just as it should.


Hope this helps someone out. I've been wasting hours trying to get iTunes to see my phone in Win7 x64 iTunes for two years with no joy. Until now... Still not ideal and shame on Apple for not getting this to work properly in Windows 7 x64.

Thank you very much for this post! To date I do not have any Apple products but I was considering buying the next iphone. This heads up will save a lot of time should I run into problems!

Just registered to say that after trying 8-9 different solutions ... this one worked !
Thanks a lot for posting.

I too have been pulling my hair out over this for what seems like forever, I registered here just to say you're my new BFF and I love you, thank you SO much ~:)