Apple has released a new version of iTunes for Windows 11 (and Windows 10), which also includes support for the newly introduced iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
You can download iTunes version 12.13.2 for Windows from both the Microsoft Store and from Apple’s website.
iTunes has been phased out for macOS and is no longer present on Apple’s own desktop operating system. However, Apple still updates iTunes quite regularly on Windows, and this new update follows a release that brought security fixes in December 2023.
This latest iTunes update also provides a security fix, addressing a vulnerability that could cause the app to close unexpectedly, or allow a malicious party to use “arbitrary code execution” (which essentially lets an attacker do nasty things to your PC can do).
Apple’s transition from iTunes to more modern apps
Overall, though, it seems like Apple is trying to move away from iTunes in favor of more modern media apps like Apple Music, Apple TV, and iCloud. These modern media apps are also available on Windows and are optimized to match Windows 11’s sleek, contemporary aesthetic.
iTunes is more than a media app: It’s also a device manager that many Apple hardware users are accustomed to, allowing iPhone and iPad users to perform tasks such as backing up data and installing software . Nowadays, however, you can do that with the newer Apple Device app, which you also get through the Microsoft Store.
There’s a caveat to keep in mind: Apple’s new apps may not work as intended if you also have iTunes installed. as Neowin notesso it is advisable that you choose one to use and delete the other.
Apple’s old media manager is a classic and still has a lot of use, as it’s a place to manage all the media you bought from Apple, including music, movies and TV shows, as well as Apple Music.
Of course, if you’d rather continue using iTunes, you’re still in luck, as you can grab this latest version from the Microsoft Store. This works whether you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, but not Windows 7. You can download older versions of iTunes from Apple’s website (but of course you shouldn’t still be using Windows 7 for obvious reasons – the flaw security updates are the main concern).
It’s good that Apple is still looking out for users who want to continue using iTunes, and it also gives Apple a chance to reach customers who may prefer Windows as the operating system for their PC.