Windows 7 users: Want to speed up iTunes? Use ReadyBoost!

[Yagami_Light]

As those of us with Windows have learned, Apple has created quite a crippled version of iTunes for Windows (or maybe it is just as slow on the Mac, but I doubt it. There is no reason a simple program like this would be so slow when everything else runs perfectly fast). Boot up times for the program have gotten a bit better with Win 7, but it still takes me about 15 seconds for the program to get up and running, which is unacceptable for a simple media player (in contrast, Windows Media Player boots instantly, and does everything iTunes does and a hell of a lot more).

Thankfully, this problem is solved with Windows 7's new ReadyBoost feature (yes, it was in Vista, but using it actually slowed down iTunes' boot time, was limited to one flash device, and only 4 gigs of memory). You can add up to 8 devices, for up to 256 GIGS of memory. You don't even have to use a 64 bit OS.

Just put in some flash memory (USB drives, SD cards, etc.), go to its properties page, and enable ReadyBoost.

With using only my PSP's 8 gig Sandisk memory card, the boot times for iTunes dropped from 15 seconds to less than 3 seconds. Definitely worth doing if you have some flash memory around.

[DonutGames]

Wow, thanks for the tip!
Anyone else who've tried this with similar results? (not doubting it worked for you, Yagami_light)

I'm waiting for my Win7 upgrade to arrive in the mail, so I can't give any feedback myself.

[Kamazar]

Naturally, you'd need an extra step to do what Windows should be doing in the first place.

[MidianGTX]

Naturally, you'd need an extra step to do what Windows should be doing in the first place.

Don't you mean Windows needs an extra step to fix what Apple did to iTunes in the first place?

[Teknikal]

Readyboost is pretty good I agree itunes is probably the worst programmed piece of software I've ever used it's actually put me off the idea of ever buying a mac which I did consider for a brief period of time.

Just as an example the last time I plugged my Ipod in it asked me to choose a library to use it and once before it told me my account had never been used.

I cant sync updates either without turning off itunes beforehand for me it's not that slow loading but it is terrible in general.

[Hmar9333]

Naturally, you'd need an extra step to do what Windows should be doing in the first place.
Ignorance is ignorant?

I touch iTunes as little as I possibly can on my PC. It makes me cry when I try to use it. Plus, I tried to restore my iPad recently, it just gave me error after error after error. I can probably fix I, but it will take many effort.

[Balu`]

Ignorance is ignorant?

I touch iTunes as little as I possibly can on my PC. It makes me cry when I try to use it. Plus, I tried to restore my iPad recently, it just gave me error after error after error. I can probably fix I, but it will take many effort.

And replying to a post that's a year and a half old is fun!

[Teknikal]

And replying to a post that's a year and a half old is fun!

I didn't dig this post up that's seriously weird it was on the first page of threads when I replied I wonder if a bad comment got deleted or something.

[Balu`]

I didn't dig this post up that's seriously weird it was on the first page of threads when I replied I wonder if a bad comment got deleted or something.

Haha, I know. A spambot bumped it.

[iPhondTouch3G]

ReadyBoost is useless on systems that have more than 1GB of RAM. If you have more, ReadyBoost can actually slow your system down, since flash memory and USB 2.0 are slow as hell compared to actual RAM.

[MidianGTX]

...it's actually put me off the idea of ever buying a mac which I did consider for a brief period of time.

For a guy called Teknikal you sure haven't done much research :rolleyes:

[Teknikal]

For a guy called Teknikal you sure haven't done much research :rolleyes:

I've done plenty macs are useless for what I use a computer for only reason I considered one briefly was I liked the look of the air. Macs are just overpriced and underpowered.

[Teknikal]

LOL — straight out of 1997.

Way to be a complete sheep, bro.

I don't think so the air is well over a grand and still running an old dual core at least it was when I looked at it.

[MidianGTX]

I've done plenty macs are useless for what I use a computer for only reason I considered one briefly was I liked the look of the air. Macs are just overpriced and underpowered.

I was referring to your theory that iTunes' performance on Windows is in any way indicative of how OSX/Mac programs perform. Any Mac user will tell you that iTunes runs almost flawlessly for them... as does the rest of the software.

[Teknikal]

I was referring to your theory that iTunes' performance on Windows is in any way indicative of how OSX/Mac programs perform. Any Mac user will tell you that iTunes runs almost flawlessly for them... as does the rest of the software.

Well I know it will run better on a Mac but I'm not filled with faith if that's the best they can manage at programming for windows. It's not the only bad example bonjour and quicktime are seriously poor windows programs as well.

I've nothing really against OSX but then again apple took most of the code from BSD.

[MidianGTX]

Yeah it's slightly misleading... but still not the case. I don't really care about Mac specs, mine was worth the extra money for the stress-free experience alone. Two years in and I can't recall seeing any errors or crashes. The extent of my problems was learning to use Photoshop without a mouse, and even that went well thanks to having the best trackpad I've ever encountered.

[Teknikal]

Yeah it's slightly misleading... but still not the case. I don't really care about Mac specs, mine was worth the extra money for the stress-free experience alone. Two years in and I can't recall seeing any errors or crashes. The extent of my problems was learning to use Photoshop without a mouse, and even that went well thanks to having the best trackpad I've ever encountered.

Well if it does what you need reliably and without any troubles it's a good purchase. I've really nothing against Macs although I'm definitely a specs person and do usually push my computers to their limit.

Reliability does have value I've been toying with the idea of buying my dad a mac mini just so I don't have to keep fixing his computer. Chromebook is also in the running for that as well though.

[ShadowsFall]

I can load up iTunes in 8 seconds, No need to go any faster with 8gb of ram :P

[iphoneprogrammer]

Mac iTunes > Windows iTunes.

Mac > Windows


The never-ending debate continues.


Look at this video

xS2ZipMM2Oo

My mac pro has 16GB of ram and its an 09' it opens iTunes in about 8.5-10 seconds depending on what else ive got open.

[CaptainAwesome]

Mac iTunes > Windows iTunes.

Mac > Windows


The never-ending debate continues.


Look at this video

YouTube: video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=xS2ZipMM2Oo)

My mac pro has 16GB of ram and its an 09' it opens iTunes in about 8.5-10 seconds depending on what else ive got open.

Helps that he's running it off an SSD. But that was pretty sweet.

[ShadowsFall]

My mac pro has 16GB of ram and its an 09' it opens iTunes in about 8.5-10 seconds depending on what else ive got open.

Oh gosh, 16gb. I only use up 4gb of ram out of my 8.

To compete with your video :D
SQUzaIIa7dg

[wootbean]

I don't think so the air is well over a grand and still running an old dual core at least it was when I looked at it.

I have one. Yes it only has a C2D and only 2gb of ram but it's still the fastest computer I have. Nothing takes more than 1.5-2 seconds to launch and the new models will only be better.

[Teknikal]

I have one. Yes it only has a C2D and only 2gb of ram but it's still the fastest computer I have. Nothing takes more than 1.5-2 seconds to launch and the new models will only be better.

It's a nice looking device and I'm sure it's great quality to me personally I'd rather have the Samsung series 9 but then I'm not much of an apple guy apart from my ipod.

I'd expect any computer in the last few years to be able to launch programs pretty much instantly so I'm not sure why people are bringing 8 seconds and 2 seconds into it.
Even on my older Vista machine Itunes launches as soon as I click that's not my issue with it, my issue is the way it's programmed for windows seems very sloppy and user unfriendly. It's little flaws like failing to sync unless you restart it after downloading updates that drives me crazy.

[koman lee]

Hi there,
I have also windows 7 and wanna install the itunes and want to speedup that one soon.. I got much better one help from this one forum about that one help... Thanks for helping and having the nice one posting here...