What is iTunesHelper.exe? Is iTunesHelper.exe spyware or a virus?

How to fix iTunesHelper.exe related problems?
1. Run Security Task Manager to check your iTunesHelper process
2. Run SpeedUpMyPC to fix related speed issues
3. Run Spyware Doctor to remove persistent malware


This ""helper"" application is installed by the Apple iTunes music player, and is used to support the operation of iTunes. iTunesHelper.exe performs various functions, including supporting communications for iTunes, and allowing the player to launch more quickly when it is needed by preloading certain necessary files. It may have other responsibilities as well, and should not be disabled if you are using iTunes.http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/ituneshelper.exe.html 

If you want a detailed security rating about your iTunesHelper.exe (and all other running background processes) read the following user opinions, and download the free trial version of Security Task Manager.

Note: Any malware can be named anything - so you should check where the files of the running processes are located on your disk. If a "non-Microsoft" .exe file is located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder, then there is a high risk for a virus, spyware, trojan or worm infection! Check it out!


Click to Run a Free Scan for iTunesHelper.exe speed issues.


Users Opinions

Average user rating of iTunesHelper.exe: 3.5 based on 116 votes. Read also the 102 reviews.

3020 users ask for this file. 66 users rated it as not dangerous. 5 users rated it as not so dangerous. 9 users rated it as neutral. 18 users rated it as little bit dangerous. 18 users rated it as dangerous. 4 users didn't rate it ("don't know").


All comments about iTunesHelper.exe:
rate3 Helper Module for ITunes, Think u have to be patient with this File. Maybe it´s Dangerous   BUD
rate1 It isn't dangerous!   Satch
rate3 I doubt it's dangerous, but it keeps trying to access the internet, even when all iTunes internet prefs are turned off. Very annoying if you don't have administrative control over your own firewall.   Tom
rate1 This is a helper module for the iTunes program, allowing you to set iTunes to start when you plug in your iPod. It isn't a dangerous file. If disabled or deleted from the registry it will reinitialize itself after iTunes runs a few times.  See also: Link   Gem
rate1 Performs background functions such as providing communication with docked iPod's and preloads files to help iTunes start faster.  See also: Link   Nidonocu
rate1 iTunes related executable, harmless   miejas
rate1 Simple helper module. No risk.   Pab89
rate1 it seems to let you remain connected to PC (charging) while be able to use the ipod. Very convenient for me, as a/c adapter is elsewhere.   doo
rate1 monitors for iPod connections, helps iTunes start faster  
rate1 If you use iTunes (not Quick Time only), dont delete it.  See also: Link   Name
rate1 It belongs to iTunes and it is required if you use iTunes and iPod. (Thats why I hate Apple)   Martin
rate4 It was causing me the -36 error when uploading songs into my ipod.. I disabled it and have no problem.. this program can be disabled and itunes and my ipod finally work.. I dunno what this programs intentions are but if you are frustrated by your ipod not working I suggest disbabling it!   Lkm
rate1 Probably needed for iTunes. I was able to stop it from loading at Windows boot by removing the entry from the startup list in MSCONFIG (run from "run" box). iTunes still starts (probably loads it as needed).   Dude
rate4 it runs when im not running itunes at all so it must be spyware. takes up a lot of space.   kk
rate1 Being a resident file it may slow your boot up process, however, it is needed for the proper operation of IPod in ITunes. Don't think this is bad enough to hate Apple...   J. Donato
rate1 Not Dangerous but stops other programs ie. winamp from Accessing iPod I tunes can be a royal pain but it may be a sleeper mp3 star in the future   T-Man
rate1 It also helps stream files over the home network a quicker. Maybe its also a buffer type thing or something.   Paul
rate5 proven malicious file; associated with malware   charles britley
rate4 It accesses the internet everytime I boot or wake up my pc. The only reason I can think of is to send usage statistics & maybe even song lists to Apple. Very similar to the way RealPlayer acts as spyware.   ts
rate2 I've never run Itunes althought it did come with the computer and it is already there.. However, it doesn't use much system resources when itunes isn't running   Mike
rate1 It'ds from Apple not Microsoft or any other dubious software developer. Safe and functional for iTunes iPod owners.   Neal
rate1 This file is useless if you don't have an ipod, all you have to do is turn iTunes off, kill the process and delete the exe file, you can also delete the entire iPod folder and get rid of that service as well ... so stupid that these run if you dont even use an iPod ... should be optional for sure, shame on Apple.   Nick
rate1 COMPLETELY safe, required for iTunes, runs in background, harmless little thing!   Samantha
rate4 This crapy file may lower your computer, because it uses RAM. Why you need it if you don't have an iPod? It's horrible!   William Pera
rate1 This file automatically starts iTunes when you dock your iPod. iTunes will still run without it.   Jim Stewart
rate4 I've never had anything related to itunes on my pc but this file runs on startup!   Joe
rate5 Found PC crashed alot with it (WinXP SP2)  
rate4 Itunes load my memory with programs that trying access internet all the time!!!!, probably spyware.   dox22
rate1 File was installed by a new iPod installation. Not malicious.   thecreaser
rate1 Apparently, though, even if you delete it, it will regenerate itself after you've run iTunes a few times even if you do delete it.   Slavik81
rate4 I never had an iPod, never did anything to do with iTunes yet this runs on my system and so does iPodService.exe - maybe some spyware uses the same name??   Sohel
rate1 Installed when installing IPOD  
rate5 runs while itunes isnt in use and uses up to 11mb of ram space - definetly malware  
rate1 This file is used by iTunes to monitor hard drive conditions and to keep track of the songs you have ordered by itunes and have imported into itunes. this prevents itunes from forgetting where the file is located when it has been moved. this program is a resource hog at times but is not at all dangerous. just end it if you want some extra memory. it is not required to start up iTunes from my tests.   Mediarocker - IT Administrator
rate1 An iTunes service, much like the Windows Firewall service  
rate1 This process, probably acts as a SPEED BOOST when you start iTunes, Acrobat 7 uses a similar procedure. What may be a good idea is to first try without it (stoppable via MMC), then try with it running.   Jamie McGlynn
rate1 Not harmless at all, does NOT load any programs into memory. If you do not have an ipod you can disable this file in msconfig :)   Omar
rate1 A) It isn't Dangerous. B) If you own an iPod and want the convience of iTunes opening automatically, then leave this process running. C) Even if you own an iPod it is NOT needed. D) You can still access your iPod throw iTUnes by just starting iTunes. D) Its not worth the memory it uses all the time for just a small convince.   Techwre Computer Consultations
rate1 Not spyware. Used by iTunes to keep hard drive space statistics correct when iTunes is not loaded.   Mediarocker543
rate1 I Have it, and its use is simply 4 when you connect your iPod Itunes opens and sets it selff up,THATS IT...:)   Apacheizm23
rate1 It's perfectly safe. But I don't know it's specific function(s). I don't like that it does eat RAM though. But it won't harm your computer or send any information about you out. don't worry about that!   Tootsie
rate0 quite safe for apple computers, relatively safe for windows. just a memory eater. utterly useless without an ipod   weevil
rate1 its a very none harmful thing!. dont listen to these people   stephen glencross
rate3 It's TOTALLY useless!   RedSid
rate1 Background service to detect iPods as they are connected. Uses about 1.8MB of ram. The connections to the internet may be to ensure the iPod software is up to date, but i've never had any random connections on my test machines (in which I tested 5 machines for AppleDefects.com). Purely Harmless.   mbrice
rate1 Harmless, not spyware, just a program linked with iTunes and your precious iPod...   NB
rate4 Came unsolicited along with a QuickTime "update". Should not be dangerous, but I strongly detest the practice to pack uninvited and unexplained RAM and CPU consumers with "good stuff"!   Adrian
rate5 it's a piece of crap. It's jsut Quick Time trying to take over your computer, like Real Player does. I would like to keep it from starting up since I don't know how.  
rate1 A reason why you should use winamp instead.   stghm
rate0 it screws up my computer  See also: Link   robert stacey
rate2 If it is running from your iTunes install directory (C:\Program Files\iTunes), it will just be the meta helper for iTunes. If you don't have and have never had iTunes, check it out.  
rate5 it uses a lot of ram with itunes 7.3 but if you disable it , itunes and your ipod 'll work normally.   irunk089
rate1 I have an ipod and itunes works fine without this service. Disable if you're as picky about processes running as I am.   Austin
rate1 Harmless   simplism
rate1 it installed itself after i downloaded and installed Quicktime  
rate1 Module for ur IPod.. sharing music etc....   Steve
rate0 get AVG antispyware free version this will shut it down you wil have to go to analysis, processes,then terminate ,if you have spy bot running this will ask you if you want to allow this registry change put a tick in always remeber this decission then click aurthorised   orac
rate0 Any time I open an image file (i.e. jpg) or song file, this program tells me that my quicktime is out of date (which it isn't), and then won't perform an automatic update. I am thinking virus, but not sure.   John O.
rate1 To disable open iTunes, select Edit, Preferences, and uncheck Check for updates automatically. Close iTunes. When you reopen iTunes the service should be disabled.   joemama1969
rate1 Depending on your music Library, this file can blow out memory usage. Mine was using 12mb RAM. Apple suck. I've disabled it. Hopefully it will stay disabled.   Naca-Yoda
rate3 It can cripple a the performance of a VPN connection to a work computer. When running link acted like dial-up connection. After disableing at startup performance accross VPN returned to normal.   rob
rate1 necessary to start iTunes, installed with it. no malware here.  See also: Link   Alex78
rate1 Not dangerous. Definitely not malware or spyware. Aids in automatically starting iTunes when you plug in your iPod. However, if it's being run from somewhere suspicious, it might be malware in disguise.   four pi
rate2 It's not spyware, or dangerous, or whatever. It doesn't eat up memory either. It just sits in the background, in a similar way to say, the Printer Spooler Service (Which is *needed* to be able to print) - this is just a small applet for iPods. Yes, it's irritating if you don't own an iPod, but you can't blame Apple for trying. You can stop it turning on through msconfig easily enough, it's just a bit annoying. :-)   CMOT Weasel
rate4 You are incorrect in saying that it is "harmless". For users such as myself, I need the memory it uses.   Count Monaco
rate1 iTunesHelper simple tells explorer when to launch iTunes when the iPod is plugged in. It is safe to disable if you don't use this feature or don't have an iPod.  See also: Link   roandr
rate3 it eats up 99% of my CPU usage   oh hewwo
rate1 Itunes helper! (itunes are connecting to web for updates) NOT DANGERUS AT AL!!! :P   Tomato
rate1 It's not spyware, malware... It's just a little, annoying, memory hog and useless program(if you don't have an iPod or don't use the automatic Itune feature). You can easly disable it from msconfig.   Anakin Skywalker
rate1 It helps itunes load up when you have docked you ipod   colin
rate4 its making my computer crappy its saying msrwb.dll was not found and know it keeps poping up its really pissing me off now I hate Itunes thxs alot Itunes   cman
rate4 Security Task Manager utility says it can record inputs. Always bothers me when I see the report that a program can record input because seems it can record things like your user names and passwords used at websites and send them over the internet without your knowledge. And why does it need to record inputs anyway?   Nate
rate4 You need it for iTunes... BUT! this process takes the port 27015 which is needed for Half Life 2 games... There are known problems with the helper on port 27015 and games like Left 4 Dead   Ataman
rate1 okanyone who rated the danger thingy over 2 IS A NUTHEAD this is for itunes dont listen to anyone else   LMAO
rate3 Totaly slows the XP system down, hate it   Catrin
rate4 It began to max out my CPU usage. Every time I tried to burn a DVD, it would fail. When checking out the processes in Wiondows Task Manager, iTunesHelper would be using up my CPU processes. We're talking a sporadis 100%!!! Insane! Removing the program allowed me to successfully duplicate DVDs again. Anyone who says it is harmless hasn't a clue...   Jeff Clark
rate5 Virus scan said it was a trojan... fun...   The Cheese
rate3 This program runs upon starting Windows and is self-regenerating. Deleting, removing or disabling it is useless unless you get rid of Quicktime and all other associated programs. Otherwise it will continually reinstall itself.   GeeOhDee
rate1 It's as it says a helper to start iTunes. As you start iTunes it works for a few seconds. If you put it off, it just starts without (i geuss just as quick). So you don't need it. I put it off in msconfig.   Jellow
rate1 its just a process that makes itunes open up when you connect your ipod/iphone. i tested that and im sure of it. nothing dangerous..   aznDiDi
rate4 Allows auto-start & setup when attaching an iPod to your system... Though, it starts with windows -without- prior warning so, in my books, it's a piece of shite-ware.   Brad
rate1 This is not dangerous, obviously it is used by iTunes, and it's safe to disable this if you don't have iPod to save up resources.   Idoy
rate1 ituneshelper.exe is a process that runs in the background for iTunes, and anything dealing with Apple, Inc. products. I have a Compaq Presario with 448mb of ram and it hardly runs my computer down. Do not do this if Tunes is running!!! You could crash your computer! If you are have issues with it- click "start" button- click "run"- type in msconfig- go to the startup tab and uncheck mark iTuneshelper.exe- then hit ok. If you have iTunes installed, iTunes will start it automatically when you start iTunes. Some computer do have issues with it but some don't.   Indiana Computer Guy
rate5 This program has caused me innumerable problems with customer's Computers, from not allowing the CD-Rom drive to close AT ALL to Not allowing windows Machines to start up with Blue Screens and Registry Errors. I'm actually worried that most sites do not consider this program a security risk. It installs itself without your permission and hijacks files and/or extensions to get you to install Apple's products. Please Beware this program is not as harmless as people make it seem. NOTICE: YOU DO NOT NEED THIS TO RUN iTunes, If You Have iTunes You Should Still Remove!!   Dane A.
rate5 It sporadically eats 100% of my CPU resources, nothing else can be done while it is within this CPU consuming process. And I'm not talking 100% for short whiles in a row.... it's 100% for ages...   Frode
rate1 It is not dangerous!!   Poop
rate1 not harmful   Mitchell Mulder
rate4 Slams my laptop into system overload until I forcibly turn it OFF.   Maven (Bettina Helms)
rate5 considerable slows down my pc   jade
rate5 Process Explorer show this file consume high amounts of CPU. Most of it is context switich between processors. Consumes 140MB of memory.   Rob L
rate5 it comes from apple's itunes. Everything from apple should be considered a virus  
rate1 Unessential for running iTunes. Just another quick starter that you don't have the option to disable on installation. Typical Apple for you. Also autolaunches iTunes if you plug an iPod in. Worth the ram that it takes up? I think not. Reg key = Deleted.   Jimi Crackcorn
rate4 From personal experience I finally singled out my "Extremely Slow Processing Speed" to this file. When I deselect it with msconfig the computer is back to it's normal speed.   Mike G Womack
rate4 It prevents AMD's CoolNquiet and Intel's SpeedStep from doing what they're supposed to (dropping processor speed to save power). Definately suckware!!   Mike W.
rate1 Why are people that have no idea what this is rating the files security as if they do? Seriously.. this isn't malicious at all, it's added to startup when you install itunes. It helps boot itunes faster when you plug in an iPod  
rate5 After updating Ios on my Ipod, Itunes can now only be shutdown after shutting down itunes helper.... what a nouisance.... the problem occurs every time I plug in my Ipod my computer OS is win7 64bit   Mikael Neist
rate4 Typical Apple high-handed crap. Tries to sit on your network connection checking in with apple every couple of minutes. Has a memory leak when run under certain operating systems. Will reinstall itself unless everything Apple/Quicktime related is take off the PC. Screw apple.   Nanaki
rate1 This ""helper"" application is installed by the Apple iTunes music player, and is used to support the operation of iTunes. iTunesHelper.exe performs various functions, including supporting communications for iTunes, and allowing the player to launch more quickly when it is needed by preloading certain necessary files. It may have other responsibilities as well, and should not be disabled if you are using iTunes.  See also: Link   Keepin it Real gone wrong
rate1 iTunes helper allows iTunes to open automatically when your iPhone, iPod or iPad is connected. It is necessary if you expect your iOS device to sync automatically with iTunes   Correz
rate2 background program but slows down startup speed on windows   tom
rate3 Would crash my fairly high end laptop every 30 minutes or so with a memory leak. I disable it every time the PC boots.   Chris H.
rate1 its not dangerous at all, but be careful cause if you close it, and then try to transfer files to your ipod, it will mess it up, and you will have to reset your ipod to factory settings, happened to me a couple times   James

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More process information

Is iTunesHelper.exe spyware or a virus, trojans, adware or worm? Is there a known iTunesHelper.exe error?


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iTunesHelper.exe [all processes]