iTunes for Windows compatibility error
On computers that have been upgraded from Windows Vista to Windows 7, iTunes always launches with an error iTunes.exe has been set to run in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows. For best results, turn off compatibility mode for iTunes before you open it.
iTunes was likely installed on Vista, and was retained when upgrading to Windows 7. Uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes at this point does not fix the error.
The compatibility mode checkbox and “run as administrator” are both UNchecked already in iTunes properties.
http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3956
The key issue is described in steps 7 and 8 of the article above, a Registry key needs to be removed.
- Exit out of iTunes.
- Open the Registry Editor by selecting the Windows Start button, typing regedit into the search box, and then pressing Enter.
- Browse to the following location in the registry editor, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers, and highlight the Layers folder.
- Delete the entry for the iTunes application (iTunes or iTunes.exe).
Close regedit and open iTunes. It should now open without error.