iTunes Freezing - Why iTunes Keeps Freezing and How to Fix It

Do you have iTunes freezing problems? Do you complain that iTunes freezes up at random times? Before we get to fixing iTunes freezing problems, it is important to understand a little bit about iTunes itself.

Among the many free media players available, iTunes is widely popular because of its close integration with two of the most sought-after electronic gadgets of our time: the iPod and the iPhone. Both devices require Apple's media player for many reasons, not the least of which is the transfer of media files from computers to the portable device.

Old-time users know, however, that iTunes has its good and bad sides. It is intuitive and sleek alright, but sometimes using the apps can be really frustrating. For one, frequent start-up problems or program freezes would surely test the patience of even the most ardent fans. These issues usually occur whenever new updates are installed, when a portable device is connected, when downloading content from the Internet, or when shutting down the program. Most probable causes of the instability are missing program files or the settings running askew due to recent updates.

While this may not look like a life and death situation, it is nevertheless imperative to enact corrective measures once the program freezes more frequently than it does before. For one, you would not want to risk losing your entire media library - including content purchased from the iTunes store - which is a real possibility if the program hangs and the portable device's hard disk is corrupted due to an incomplete data write process.

Some practical ways to prevent iTunes from freezing include limiting the number of running applications to give iTunes all the memory it needs to do its tasks. Also, adjusting the program for manual updating of downloaded content would help, as it prevents simultaneous tasks - such as reading the media library, checking for new iTunes store contents, looking up settings in the registry - from running all at once when the program starts.

Another practical way to ensure that iTunes run smoothly is to have the registry checked periodically, to ensure that file associations, locations and other important data are accurate. The registry is the database that holds program parameters, user settings and system information, and often, changes in the system - like installing new programs - causes some files to be overwritten or deleted, making apps that uses such files inoperable.

More so for regularly updated programs like iTunes, as the frequent updating invariably leaves behind obsolete entries that in time would clutter up the database. Using a reliable registry cleaning program ensures that the registry is clear of debris and incorrect data, ensuring that applications run without a glitch, including iTunes.