iTunes Problem: Too Many Processes
“Hairgel Addict” is not alone in his frustrations with this media player mess…
In one of Your videos You’ve mentioned the problem with iTunes I have a question about. Well, actually maybe it’s not an actual iTunes “problem”, but It’s a problem for me. Like You’ve said in that video iTunes runs a couple of processes (at least 3) in the background and that annoys the hell out of me. Maybe I’m very picky, but I don’t like when my computer does something I didn’t tell it (or asked or in some cases pleaded) to do. I use iTunes only to sync my iPod and it’s like 2-3 times a month (to sync OR charge). I know that these processes almost don’t use any memory and are there to detect whether iPod is connected and “help” me sync my iPod, which again I don’t like.
Probably most of the people who own an iPod like that when you connect it to a computer automatically iTunes starts and begins syncing their iPod’s brains out. For me it’s very annoying. I’m a Web Developer, so most of the time I have a lot of programs running at the same time, especially when I test websites on different browsers, so when this syncing frenzy starts my computer becomes crippled and I have to wait for iTunes to load and sometimes stop my work and close all the programs so iTunes loads faster and I can close it and let iPod just charge.
Why not use some other program to sync my iPod? That’s the whole reason why I’m writing and complaining (sorry for that) - in real life I like to multitask, but with programs I tend to have 1 program for 1 thing: iTunes for syncing my iPod, Foobar for listening to music, Windows Media Player for watching movies. Cannot really explain why and maybe it’s dumb to be doing that, I guess the only explanation is my impatience and importance of speed in multitasking. How this explains it? Well, it takes me literally 2 clicks to start doing things I’ve mentioned above and continue on working. And it’s kinda kewl to be using Apple Software for Apple Device :) Not to mention that I really to used to iTunes’ and iPod’s “playlist” organization system after switching from CD player to iPod.
Cutting to the chase, the question is: do You know of any way to stop those processes from starting each time? I most probably going to Google the answer myself as soon as I send this email, but I wanted to write and ask You, because You’ve been very helpful before and even though my Google-Fu is pretty good :) I still have found out about many things from Your videos & blog posts (Comodo Firewall, for example. Use it at work). Perhaps there’s some sort of setting that I couldn’t find in iTunes or Windows (I run WinXP) that disables those processes or some application that gets those entries out of my startup list registry. I’m guessing that’s where it stored, because the “Startup” folder is empty. Don’t want to use any “tweaking” utility, because again, like You’ve said in another video (I’m starting to sound like a fanboy) - they often cause more damage than they help, and I had that experience when I had to reinstall Windows after “tweaking” it.
Other than getting a faster computer, I’m not sure there’s a way to pull ‘er off in Windows. It’s one of the reasons I’ve chosen to sync all my data to Plaxo and sync the iPhone from my MacBook Pro - I don’t want Apple software installed on Windows (other than Safari, which remains relatively benign).
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22 Comments
Craig
October 14th, 2007
at 1:26am
There is an option that might do what Hairgel Addict wants. On the summary tab of the iPod screen that appears when my iPod connects to iTunes is an option called “Open iTunes when this iPod is connected”. Presumably if this option is unchecked, iTunes will not start up automatically, which would seems to solve at least one of the problems being experienced. I haven’t tried this option, but seems like it should do the job.
Cheers
Sebbi
October 14th, 2007
at 3:36am
Just go to your system control panel and get to the list of running services. Disable the services called “Apple Mobile Device” and “Ipod-Service” … it’s as simple as that.
… I am amazed how a web developer who works close with his computer can sleep well without even knowing the most basic things about the system he uses …
Michael Markman
October 14th, 2007
at 5:42am
Here’s how I do it on my Mac, with my iPod connected and iTunes open, I can go to the Summary tab for that iPod and uncheck “Open iTunes when this iPod is connected” and check “Manually Manage Music” — then click the “Apply” button in the lower right.
I’m guessing the Windows version of iTunes has something similar.
Mickeleh
October 14th, 2007
at 6:12am
Here’s how I do it on Mac. (I’m guessing Windows offers the same options).
With the iPod connected and iTunes open, go to the Summary tab for that iPod. In the Options panel, uncheck “Open iTunes when this iPod is connected.” Check “Manually manage music” Click the “Apply” button (lower right)
I don’t sync contacts, calendars, or photos to my iPod. (a second generation nano);
Michael Markman
(chris: there’s a version of this waiting moderation. You can trash that.)
Hairgel_Addict
October 14th, 2007
at 6:19am
Like I’ve said, I did google the answer myself.
Disabled iTunesHelper.exe & iPodServices.exe via msconfig/startup and as for AppleMobileDeviceService.exe justed uninstalled it from Add/Remove Programs, because it just enables iTunes to interact with iPhone and Apple TV and I don’t have neither of them.
Another frustrating thing - hate it when you install one program and it installs a whole lot of **** it thinks you might need (not only iTunes)..
scottfrye
October 14th, 2007
at 6:34am
Can’t you just use services management (services.msc) to stop the processes from starting on startup? Only problem is that you will have to redo it every time you upgrade iTunes.
David Morse
October 14th, 2007
at 7:05am
“Probably most of the people who own an iPod like that when you connect it to a computer automatically iTunes starts and begins syncing their iPod’s brains out. For me it’s very annoying.”
Easily solved: in iTunes, click on your iPod under Devices, and uncheck “Open iTunes when this iPod is connected”.
Upon release of the iPhone, newer versions of iTunes started installing a background service named “AppleMobileDeviceService.exe”. Fortunately, there’s an entry in Add/Remove Programs named “Apple Mobile Device Support” that will remove this, and has no impact if you just have an iPod.
The only other background service I’m aware of is “iPod Service” (iPodService.exe) which I highly recommend you not mess with.
Google Tutor: Tutorials and Tips for Google Users
October 14th, 2007
at 8:14am
iTunes Problem: Too Many Processes- Do Sitemaps Help Your Google Pagerank? Every Meeting Should Be Timely and Effective Microsoft agrees being behind Google in online advertising and web … desperate enough to ask “how can i get my site on top?
Dan the Barbarian
October 14th, 2007
at 8:17am
OMG
This is the biggest non-complaint I’ve ever heard. Unless this guy is adding and deleting gigs of data in his iTunes library, the sync he’s so skittish about should only take a few seconds, maybe 30 with the boot up and all AND it only happens when he plugs in his iPod. The answer to that is to only plug in your iPod when your on your way for a coke or to take a leak - problem solved.
About all that moral indignation that his computer is running processes he doesn’t want - give me a break. He’s using a PC, they run hundreds of background processes all the time. If he plugged in his iPod, he has to know what’s about to happen, and therefore, by default, he wants these processes. Now, if he doesn’t want to sync, just to charge, go get a charge cable and plug it into the wall.
For a developer, this guy doesn’t seem to have much on the ball.
Sounds like an ID 10-T error to me.
Left Of Center
October 14th, 2007
at 10:09am
Chris Pirillo »iTunes Problem: Too Many ProcessesPosted 3 hours ago
Loyd
October 14th, 2007
at 1:21pm
Plug in your iPod and let it start synching. Select it from the left menu and go to the Summary tab. Uncheck Open iTunes when this iPod is Connected.
A Penguin in the Orchard
October 14th, 2007
at 2:16pm
iTunes Problem: Too Many Processes (Viamyapplemenu.) by Chris Pirillo “iTunes runs a couple of processes (at least 3) in the background and that annoys the hell out of me. Maybe I’m picky, but I don’t like when my computer does something I didn
MyAppleMenu : Conversations In The Apple Community
October 14th, 2007
at 2:27pm
iTunes Problem: Too Many Processesby Chris Pirillo “iTunes runs a couple of processes (at least 3) in the background and that annoys the hell out of me. Maybe I’m picky, but I don’t like when my computer does something I didn’t tell it (or asked or in come cases pleaded) to do.
Ethan
October 14th, 2007
at 2:48pm
I too dislike having the extra processes, I don’t use the / and dislike the feature of itunes opening up when my ipod is connected.
IP Telephony, VoIP, Broadband mobile edition
October 15th, 2007
at 3:20am
[...] friend and fellow blogger Chris Pirillo cites a complaint by “Hairgel Addict” that the task of synching up between iTunes and iPod involves “too many [...]
Jay
October 15th, 2007
at 7:31am
I don’t have a dual core/quad core or what ever yet !!!
I’m running 2giger P4, so I have to keep my eye on all processes.
Ok, (and no one likes extra processes running) but that aside, the biggest CPU hog on my PC is Spyware Exterminator.
For anyone running Windows, get the free process exploror from Systinternals.com to see whats running… and/or kill the process.
IgwanaRob
October 15th, 2007
at 12:01pm
Get StartupCPL from http://www.mlin.net/ - it will let you remove the startup entries from all the locations they like to hide in.
Brian
October 15th, 2007
at 12:14pm
Chris… you said you don’t like any Apple software on your PC, but what about Quicktime?
Dan Ciruli
October 15th, 2007
at 1:32pm
Easiest way yet:
Look at your Services (under Control Panel->Administrative tools).
One of the services is Apple Mobile Device service. Its Status is probably “Started”, and its Startup Type is “Automatic.”
Services are different than “normal” software — they can start automatically without being in a startup folder.
To change its Startup Type, just right click and select “Manual.” Click OK. Then, click the Stop button.
I think this is (at least marginally) better than David Morse’s solution. His works equally well, of course–but this is more reversible if you ever change your mind.
sus
November 27th, 2007
at 4:17am
My computer broke down, we saved all data before - but the itunes library got mixed up a total mess, and my favoured plalist gone!!!
How can I SYNC my Computer with my IPOD, nad NOT update my IPOD. I want to recover my favoured playlists from my IPOD and its mission impossible!
TMF: ipodservices.exe / iPod Living
June 15th, 2008
at 7:17am
[...] is closed. A google search found many entries relevant to this problem, one such thread is chris.pirillo.com/2007/10/13/itunes-problem-too-many-…As a website developer (and part-time aerobics instructor) I usually have a number of apps open [...]
funkyellowmonkey(ps3 id)
December 2nd, 2008
at 3:59pm
I have the standard edition of Comodo and i can access iTunes store ONLY if i disable comodo’s security, once your done with your browsing of the store, enable back security - easy!
1. At the Main menu of Comodo, under the PROACTIVE DEFENSE header, take note of ‘The Defense+security level is set to ‘
2. Where is, click onto that link and slide the security level bar down to DISABLED and click on APPLY
3. Now start iTunes up and you should be able to connect now!
NB: Remember to enable whatever your security level was after browsing store, EASY!
Happy iTuning! ;)p