How to Install iTunes on Windows

Thanks to our Internet-enabled age, many essential software packages are no longer supplied on CD or DVD by their makers, who instead offer them as downloads. That's the case with iTunes, which Apple no longer includes on a CD when you buy an iPod, iPhone, or iPad. Instead, you have to download it for free from the Apple website.

Read on to learn how to download and install iTunes on Windows, and how to take the first few steps in setting it up for use with your iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

Begin by downloading the correct version of iTunes for your computer. The website should automatically detect that you're using a PC and offer you a Windows version of iTunes (while this page used to require you to check a box if you were using a 64-bit version of Windows, it can now detect that automatically).

Decide if you want to receive email newsletters from Apple and enter your email address, then click the "Download Now" button.

When you do this, Windows will ask you if you want to run or save the file. Either works for installing iTunes: running will install it right away, saving will allow you to install it later. If you choose to save, the installer program will be saved to your default downloads folder (usually "Downloads" on recent versions of Windows).

Once you've downloaded iTunes, the installation process will start (if you chose "run" in the last step) or the installer program will appear on your computer (if you chose "save"). If you chose "save," double click the installer icon.

When the installer begins running, you'll have to agree to run it and then go through a few screens of agreeing to iTunes' terms and conditions. Agree where indicated and click the next/run/continue buttons (depending on what the window offers you).

After agreeing to terms and proceeding through the initial, basic steps of the installation process, iTunes will ask you to choose some installation options. They include:

• Add iTunes and QuickTime shortcuts to my desktop - This will place the iTunes and QuickTime icons on your desktop for easy access. If you often launch programs by double-clicking on their icons from your desktop, choose this. ITunes will also be added to your Start menu regardless of what you choose here.
• Use iTunes as the default player for audio files - Choose this if you want iTunes to handle all your audio files, including CDs, MP3s, podcasts, and downloads.
• Default iTunes language - Choose the language you want iTunes to be in.
• Destination Folder - This is where iTunes and its files will be installed. Unless you know what you're doing with this and have a reason to change it, use the default setting.

When you've made your choices, click the "Install" button.

Once you've done this, iTunes will go through its install process. You'll see a progress bar during the installation that tells you how close it is to being done. When the installation is complete, you'll be asked to click a "Finish" button. Do so.

You'll also be asked to restart your computer to finish the installation. You can do that now or later; either way, you'll be able to use iTunes right away.

With iTunes installed, you may now want to begin importing your CDs into your iTunes library. The process of importing them will convert the songs from the CDs into MP3 or AAC files. Learn more about this from these articles:

• How to Copy CD to iPod & iTunes
• AAC vs. MP3: Which to Choose for Ripping CDs
• AAC vs. MP3, A Sound Quality Test

Besides importing your own CDs to your new iTunes library, another important step in the iTunes setup process is to create an iTunes account. With one of these accounts, you'll be able to buy or download free music, apps, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and audiobooks from the iTunes Store.

Setting up an iTunes account is easy and free. Learn how to do it here.

Once you've added CDs to your iTunes library and/or created an iTunes account and begun downloading from the iTunes Store, you're ready to set your iPod, iPhone, or iPad to iTunes and begin using it. For instructions on how to sync your device, read the article below:

• iPhone
• iPod
• iPad

And, with that, you've setup iTunes, set up and synced content to your device, and are ready to rock!