Hendrik of eidac has figured out a way to stop iTunes from backing up your iPhone on a Windows machine. It’s actually pretty easy to do. Instructions inside.
All you do is copy the snippet of text and paste it. Be sure to backup the iTunesPrefs.xml file and kill iTunes before starting. The instructions are as followed:
1. Locate your iTunesPrefs.xml file. It’s usually located in C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes or C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes.
Hint: If the folder Application Data does not show up, make sure that hidden files are visible in the Windows Explorer
2.Backup your iTunesPrefs.xml file
3.Open iTunesPrefs.xml using a capable text-editor (e.g. Notepad++, Ultraedit, but not MS Notepad)
4.Search for a section called User Preferences and paste the following snipped into the User Preferences Section after the first <dict>:
<key>DeviceBackupsDisabled</key>
<data>
dHJ1ZQ==
</data>
5. Save the file and restart iTunes. Backups should now be disabled. To enable backups again delete the XML Snippet from iTunesPrefs.xml file.
When you’re done, it should look like this:
I’ve tested it myself and can say that it works. Thanks Hendrik!
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\\ tags: disable iTunes backup, windows
What about Mac User’s?
Refer to my previous post here:
http://iphonefreakz.com/2008/07/27/mac-users-disable-iphone-backup-for-faster-sync/
i couldnt find anything in step one… i searched for C:\Documents and it wouldnt even find that! so i finally found them on my own and i went into it and settings wasnt there.. any help?
Are you on Vista?
For Vista it is in C:\Users\username\AppData\Apple Computer\iTunes\
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes\
i found it :lol:
AT LAST!
Was waiting for this one… :)
I don’t see a “User Preferences” in my iTunesPrefs.xml file… :(
Hey I found the file and opened it with notepad ++, i could never find the part with user preferences, I found machine preferences twice :shock: . Any help will be greatly appreciated :razz:
It’s in the middle of tons of code and random letters. Notepad++ has a search feature at the top (binoculars) use that and search User Preferences. It’s there, just really hard to find.
Yea I had already tried the search option and I still didnt find it, I pretty much went through all the lines to look for it…but no luck, if you can give me your email, ill send you my file and let me know if you can take a look at it, my email is saiyamvora13@gmail.com
yea i’ll email it to someone too… I used the search before posting here first and had no luck
My email is bhdude76@yahoo.com
Email it to me and I’ll see what I can do.
Located iTunesPrefs.xml file and used Notepad++ to look for DeviceBackupsDisabled in iTunesPrefs.xml.
It’s not there. iTunes version is 7.7.0.43. OS is Windows XP.
for everyone who can’t find the “User Preferences†string, i may be able to help:
On my computer there are two files named “iTunesPrefs.xml”, one in the …\Application Data\… folder and one in the …\Local Settings\… folder. Only the file in the …\Application Data\… folder has a “User Preferences†string. I don’t know why there are 2 preference files in two locations, but thy are not the same, so make sure you edit the correct one.
you’re looking for a “User Preferences Section” and adding the DeviceBackupsDisabled key.
“you’re looking for a “User Preferences Section†and adding the DeviceBackupsDisabled key.”
oh ok. thanks. I have tried and it works.
**FOR VISTA USERS**
C:\Users\USER NAME\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes
[...] Also, we would like an iTunes update that gives us the choice to enable or disable iPhone backups, since they are dreadfully slow. But there are ways to do this now with a little effort. For Mac, go here, and for Windows, go here. [...]
I have written a small Windows program called “iPhone Backup Switch”. The program will allow you to enable and disable the iPhone backup feature in iTunes. I have tested it pretty well in Windows XP and VISTA. There is a backup feature that will backup the iTunes configuration and let you restore a previous version, if something goes wrong. Comes complete with installer and uninstaller.
Get it here:
http://www.microseconds.com/backupswitch.html
Spread the word please!
Hey I found the file, opened it up with Notepad++ found the user prefs section… made the edits and SAVED the file.
I reopened the file JUST to be sure my edits were saved and they were. My problem is that when i open up iTunes it seems to overwrite my edits! :evil: :evil: :evil:
how the heck do i get iTunes to STOP overwriting my changes???
Thanks man i was one hour into the back up and not even half way, so i decieded to take action and thankfully found this site THANKS ALOT :grin:
It works!!!! Awesome… Itunes sucks…shitty software i ever seen.
Hi there.
I am running iTunes 8.0.2.20 on a Windows 7 OS (my iPhone is running OS 2.2.1)
I did everything you explained before. However, when I run iTunes, it re-writes the iTunesPrefs.xml, deleting the modification (the command after the 1st on User Preference). Is there any other workaround?
Regards.
White Dane
SP – Brazil