How can i downgrade from iTunes 9?

As we reported earlier, many iPhone users have encountered problems with the iTunes 9 and iPhone 3.1 firmware upgrade. Until Apple comes out with fixes for these bugs, the solution may be a downgrade to earlier software versions.

To downgrade from iTunes 9 to version 8 or 7.7 you can try the following on a Mac (Windows instructions follow):

- First acquire the correct software package. Select iTunes 8.0.2 or iTunes 7.7.1:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/iTunes_8_0_2_for_Mac
http://support.apple.com/downloads/iTunes_7_7_1

- Uninstall iTunes 9:
Open the Applications folder and move iTunes into the Trash
Restart the Mac and empty the Trash.

- Open your Music directory and open the iTunes folder
- Copy "iTunes Library.itl" and "iTunes Music Library.xml" to your desktop
- Copy "iTunes Library Extras" and "iTunes Library Genius" to your desktop
- DO NOT DELETE this music library iTunes folder

- Install the older version of iTunes
- Run iTunes and select "File" -> "Import"
- Choose the file "iTunes Music Library.xml" from the Desktop
- Your library and playlists will be rebuilt in the older version of iTunes

To downgrade from iTunes 9 to version 8 you can try the following in Windows:

- First acquire the correct software package. Select iTunes 8 from the following site:
http://www.oldversion.com/iTunes.html
- Users looking for 64-bit versions of iTunes 8 can find them here (scroll down):
http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.php

- Navigate to your iTunes music library (normally in Music/iTunes)
- Copy "iTunes Library.itl" and "iTunes Music Library.xml" to your desktop
- Copy "iTunes Library Extras" and "iTunes Library Genius" to your desktop
- DO NOT DELETE this music library iTunes folder

- Uninstall all iTunes Software
- Use Control Panel uninstall to remove all of the following:
Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple Software Update, Bonjour, iPod for Windows, iTunes, QuickTime

- Under the folder c:\Program Files delete the following folders:
Apple Software Update, Bonjour, iPod, iTunes, QuickTime

- Search for any hidden folders named "Apple Computer" or "Apple"
- These may appear under AppData or Local/AppData
- Delete these folders

- Restart your Windows machine
- Install the older version of iTunes
- Run iTunes
- DO NOT SELECT options to automatically add media files
- Select "File" -> "Import"
- Choose the file "iTunes Music Library.xml" from the Desktop
- Your library and playlists will be rebuilt in the older version of iTunes

To downgrade your iPhone to firmware 3.0.1 see instructions here.