QuickTime Installation Guide

Introduction

This tutorial will show you how to install and configure QuickTime for optimal performance, security, and user satisfaction.

Apple has discontinued development of QuickTime. However, many professional applications require QuickTime for importing and editing certain file and video formats, such as MP4/MOV, ProRes and DNxHD. Examples of such applications are: Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, GoPro Studio, Sony Vegas, and Traktor DJ. This tutorial will help you install only the minimal components needed for such applications.

QuickTime has some known security vulnerabilities. This tutorial shows you how you can safely use QuickTime, by skipping installation of insecure components such as the player and browser plugin.

Step 1: Downloading the installer

Version 7.79.80.95 (39.9 MB)

Download from Apple.com
Download from MajorGeeks.com
Download from FileHippo.com

This installer requires Windows Vista or newer.

If you have Windows XP you need to use version 7.6 of QuickTime. That version does not have a customizable installer. It installs the browser plugins by default, so it isn't secure. This tutorial does not apply to that version!

Step 2: Installation

If you already have QuickTime installed, then we recommend to uninstall it first. After the uninstallation you should reboot your computer.

Now run the installer (QuickTimeInstaller.exe)

1. Click on the Next button on the first page on the installation wizard.
2. Accept the License Agreement.
3. Select Custom install
4. Only enable QuickTime Essentials. Disable everything else.
   If you use Sony Vegas, then you also need to install the QuickTime Player.
5. Now you will be on the Destination Folder page.
   Uncheck the boxes for Install Desktop shortcuts and Automatically update QuickTime and other Apple software
6. Click on the Install button. The installation will now begin.
7. Click on the Finish button.

Step 3: Cleanup

Windows Start Menu > Control Panel > Software

Remove Apple Software Update. You don't need this, since QuickTime isn't going to receive updates.

Step 4: Configuration

Access the Windows Control Panel and open the QuickTime applet:

Windows 7:
Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> search for "QuickTime" in top right corner
Windows 8:
Press WindowsKey+I -> Control Panel -> search for "QuickTime" in top right corner
Windows 10:
Right-click on Start -> Control Panel -> search for "QuickTime" in top right corner

Make the following changes in the QuickTime settings:

Update tab:

Uncheck Check for updates automatically.

Advanced tab:

Uncheck Install QuickTime icon in system tray.

Security tips

Your QuickTime installation is secure as long as you don't open any .mov and .qtl files that you have downloaded from untrusted sources. This warning only applies to the QuickTime Player and third party applications that use the QuickTime Codecs.

You don't need to worry about .mov files if you use VLC Player or the K-Lite Codec Pack for playback.