Starting iTunes after a recent installation returned the error message “The folder iTunes cannot be found or created”. It was referring to the My Music directory that is usually located in the My Documents folder on the partition containing the operating system. The iTunes software creates an iTunes folder in the My Music directory on first start and if that directory is not accessible it will throw the error message and fail to load.
Since this error is related to the My Music folder it is important to check the directory path of that folder in the Windows Registry. This is best done by using the shortcut [Windows R], typing [regedit] and hitting the [enter] key.
The fastest way of location the two locations that contain path information for the My Music folder is to use the search by pressing [F3] and entering [My Music] in the search box. A click on [Find Next] will start the search and reveal the two locations.
The test computer system did not have path information listed at all. This can be changed by double-clicking the My Music key in the Registry and changing the path to an valid path manually.
The two Registry locations that list the My Music path are the following two:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Make sure both point to a valid path on the system. Once the path has been changed iTunes will create the iTunes folder in that location and start up without this error message.
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Mike!!! Thank you so much… I thought I’d never make this work…
Still can’t get this to work behind a firewall. The install has occurred with admin rights enabled, now i’m behind the admin firewall again and the folder won’t create. Not sure where it’s trying to create this folder but i tried in all the usual places on multiple drives and no luck.
Thank you very much,
That problem was breaking my ballss for days…
Thanks so much- this is brilliant.
Thanks Mike.
It cant get any easier than that.
Thanks for saving my weekend.
You are the man…
Thanks!!!!!!
mike! you are awesome!!!!!!!!!
thanks
thank you! the first time it didn’t work, but the second time i held the shift key and kept it after clicking the icon till the message box came (took about 8 seconds).
You are the boss!!!!
This was the best hint published anywhere! How can I thank you for solving a two-month old nightmare! Thanks!
Ive tried to un install about 50 times now. The registry points to the correct folder. Ive tried ver 7.6+ and 8′s. im running windows xp media center ed. i have a ipod nano 3rd gen and an iphone ver 2. Ive installed in program files, and my music files. no dice. anyone care to help?
joe-b@hvc.rr.com
It’s been said before, but I love you too
The shift key doesn’t work from all shortcuts – try different ones. I finally found one that worked and fixed the problem. THANKS Mike!!!!!!
the larger issue is that itunes should not require a folder to be created, particularly for those of us behind admin rights or corporate firewalls. i still can’t get this to work and have given up…sure, it’s on my work machine and technically i shouldn’t have installed iTunes to begin with but ya know :)
Doesn’t work when “My Music” points to the root of a drive…Has to be in a subfolder :(
Mike….you rock!!!! I tried doing the regedit version and it was confusing and difficult. Your method of pressing down the shift key while double clicking saved me time and frustration. It was easy to follow and set up. It was worth having to import the files again. Thanks for your help.
PEOPLE GO WITH WHAT MIKE SAID!
Thanks man…. It works… Wonderful and simple fix.
thanks so much – fixed my new install … :)
I reinstalled iTunes under a new Windows user name and it now works fine . Even so iTunes still does not work correctly under original user name for some strange reason although some times it does then it fails again although it has not failed under the new user name as yet ..keeping fingers crossed .
A further fix for any folk still unable to fix iTunes problem is described at Apple support
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1866
I got this error too and boy was I mad – especially considering that it gave me the option to change my iTunes folder, and then totally ignored that and gave me this error!
I f$%king hate iTunes.
thank you so much for the help!
hey ive got this problem but an even bigger one
i moved all my docos including pictures and music and now explorer isnt even the registry how do i fix this problem
i kno i screwed up like hell but a simple move turned into disaster.
please help jishua9@hotmail.com
Nice post. It helped me a lot. Thank you
Nice One!!
thanks yo!
I actually shed a tear. This totally worked. The itunes site sucks. Thank You so much.
Me too, you saved my laptop from a watery grave Mike.
Anyone else having problems with this fix, try holding the SHIFT key down from before you click, and keep it down till you get the Library message.
basically if ur itunes wont open, but you know how to find the actual itunes library file in ur computer, then when you try and open itunes hold the shift key and then it will ask you to locate the itunes library file. do that and then itunes opens up