Apple has released a new version of iTunes for Windows 11 (and Windows 10), which also includes support for the recently introduced iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
You can download iTunes version 12.13.2 for Windows from both the Microsoft Store and Apple's website.
iTunes was phased out for macOS and is no longer present on Apple's desktop operating system. However, Apple still updates iTunes fairly regularly on Windows and this new update follows a release that introduced security fixes in December 2023.
This latest iTunes update also offers a security fix, addressing a vulnerability that could cause the app to quit unexpectedly or a malicious party to exploit “arbitrary code execution” (basically allowing an attacker to do nasty things to your PC).
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 its more modern media apps like Apple Music, Apple TV, and iCloud. These modern multimedia apps are also available on Windows and are optimized to fit the sleek contemporary aesthetic of Windows 11.
iTunes is more than a multimedia 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. However, today you can do it using the new Apple Device app, which you can also get through the Microsoft Store.
There's one caveat to consider: Apple's new apps may not work as intended if you also have iTunes installed, as Neowin points out, so it's recommended to choose one to use and uninstall the other.
Apple's legacy media manager is a classic and still serves a great purpose, as it's a place to manage all the media you've purchased from Apple, including music, movies and TV shows, as well as Apple Music.
If you prefer to continue using iTunes, of course, you're still in luck, as you can get this latest version in the Microsoft Store. This will work whether you're using Windows 11 or Windows 10, but not Windows 7. You can get older versions of iTunes on Apple's website (but of course you shouldn't continue using Windows 7 for obvious reasons: the lack of the security updates are the main concern).
It's good that Apple is still looking for users who want to continue using iTunes, and it also gives Apple a way to reach customers who prefer Windows as their PC operating system.
