Download Microsoft Windows Vista Compatibility Update for iPod

On the Windows Vista Team Blog, the developers of Windows Vista indicated that they have released a patch in collaboration with Apple that fixes some bugs related to Vista and the iPod. There is a bug in the operating system that causes a crashed iPod if it is disconnected from the computer via ‘Safely Remove Hardware’ or the eject command in Windows Explorer. The patch can be downloaded for Windows Vista and Windows Vista x64 and will be distributed during the ‘patch tuesday’ of May 22, but can be downloaded now. The iPod patch was also made available a few months ago, but was not compatible with the 64-bit edition of Windows Vista at the time.

Today we’re publishing at the Microsoft Download Center a recommended final compatibility update for users of Windows Vista and the Apple iPod; this same update will be automatically available via Windows Update on Tuesday 22 May. The release is for users worldwide and works with the latest version of Apple iTunes to correct an issue that caused some iPods to become corrupted when ejecting them using Windows Explorer or the “Safely Remove Hardware” function in the System Tray.

The long and short of it is this: Apple and Windows have partnered together to ensure a great experience in using Windows Vista with iTunes and the iPod, and both companies recommend you download this update.