Install iTunes Without Quicktime And Bonjour
Apple's iTunes software will only install and run if additional Apple products are installed on the computer system as well. These programs include Apple Quicktime Bonjour, Apple Software Update, Apple Mobile Device Support, and Apple Application Support.
A user installing iTunes will notice that the installer will also install Quicktime and Bonjour and the other programs mentioned baove on the host system with no obvious option to opt out of the installation.
There is however a way to install iTunes without Bonjour, Apple Software Update, Mobile Device Support and Application Support, and avoid having all these programs run on startup when the PC boots.
Update: The last update that has been posted on the original download site dates back to 2009. We have therefore removed the download links. Instead of leaving you standing in the rain though, we have an alternative for you.
Just head over to this custom installers site and download the 32-bit or 64-bit version of iTunes from it. The installers get regularly updated so that you can be sure that you will always run the latest version of iTunes on your system.
Install a clean copy of iTunes
This can be achieved with a custom installer that can be downloaded from the Custom Installers page which offers installers for the English and multi-language versions of iTunes 8.0.2.20 and 8.1.0.52.
The only requirement other than running the installer to install iTunes is an installation of Quicktime Alternative and the Quicktime Alternative iTunes add-on which makes the program compatible with iTunes 8.
The correct sequence for installing iTunes without Quicktime and Bonjour would be therefore to install Quicktime Alternative, then the Quicktime Alternative plugin and finally iTunes using the custom installer.
The custom installer will skip the installation of aforementioned programs and services. This is great news for users who do not want to have those programs running in the background, or those who prefer to run the Quicktime Alternative program instead of the original.
The iTunes customer installer is only available for the Microsoft Windows operating system. It comes as a msi file that allows a silent installation with the switches /qb /norestart.
Please note that you can remove some of the components that are included with iTunes. Apple suggests not to remove any of those on the official support site though, as it may impact functionality.
Don't uninstall these components in a different order, or only uninstall some of them. Doing so might have unintended effects. After you uninstall a component, you might be prompted to restart your computer. Wait to restart your computer until you're finished removing all of the components.
Tja, leider behauptet auch die iTunes-Version bei ajuaOnline konsequent mein Laufwerkspfad “D” enthielte einen ungültigen Buchstaben – und es ist das EINZIGE Programm, das dieses behauptet. Von Apple gibt es keinen Support, die interessieren sich nur für’s verkaufen…
So what – also this ajuaOnline version of iTunes still claims, my folder-Path “D” containing an invalid letter – and it’s the ONLY programe claiming this (not even Safari and Quicktime does). No support from Apple of course, they are only intersted in selling and making money…
Thanks for the QT alternative tip! It saved me from the regular quicktime headache.. ;(
I hate QT too and hate that it’s a forced bundle with iTunes. Apple is evil!
The installer is now available for iTunes 9.0.2.25, and doesn’t require the iTunes addon any longer if you use the latest version of Quicktime Alternative.
@rianna: try manually creating that folder, then re-run the installer.
Well, I fixed it, but not with this. I installed iTunes Alternative, which doesn’t have Quicktime or Bonjour.
I looked into the software that you recommended and the freebie version is only for managing music files and nothing else. They sell other software that will manage photos and videos so you need to pay for those programs. They don’t have a way to transfer apps and that’s what I’m looking for so it’s not a complete solution. Also, if you need to update your iPod software, you still need to be tied to the awful iTunes software.
I just got a new Ipod Touch for my dad, and I installed this version of Itunes because i hate quicktime, but when i plug the ipod Touch in, it says it can’t be used because i need Bonjour. Is there anyway to get around this? Is there an alternative Bonjour?
Good Stuff! Not that you no longer need the QT Alternative add on for iTunes. QT Alt, and the custom iTunes installer are enough
I tried this sequence, but when i tried to install itunes with the installer, this message came up: An error occurred while attempting to create the directory: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\CoreFP.
It won’t let me go any further, it won’t let me install it. What do I do?
You can also download the MSI installer and manually extract, although that would be wasting your bandwidth if you do so. Nice article.
Aah now it’s clear.
Thanks Martin.
Got rid of itunes and quicktime long ago, but is there a way to install photoshop without bonjour?
If bonjour isn’t needed to run itunes and/or quicktime, why is it on my pc?
Thanks for the tip, saves me a process again.
Rruben, read up on Bonjour: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonjour_(software)
good