ITunes 12.1.1.4 won't launch on Windows 8.1 64 bit

Question

I have a Dell laptop running Windows 8.1 64 bit. I recently let iTunes update to 12.1.1.4. Ever since I updated, iTunes will not start. When I go to the Windows Application Log, I find the following error:
Log Name:      Application
Source:        Application Error
Date:          2/25/2015 10:07:50 AM
Event ID:      1000
Task Category: (100)
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      COMPUTER_NAME
Description:
Faulting application name: iTunes.exe, version: 12.1.1.4, time stamp: 0x54de1991
Faulting module name: KERNELBASE.dll, version: 6.3.9600.17415, time stamp: 0x54505737
Exception code: 0xc000041d
Fault offset: 0x0000000000008b9c
Faulting process id: 0x9c0
Faulting application start time: 0x01d051153175cf74
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe
Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\KERNELBASE.dll
Report Id: 71bf9801-bd08-11e4-8315-c4d987f53cd1
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Application Error" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="0">1000</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>100</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2015-02-25T16:07:50.000000000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>130544</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>COMPUTER_NAME</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>iTunes.exe</Data>
    <Data>12.1.1.4</Data>
    <Data>54de1991</Data>
    <Data>KERNELBASE.dll</Data>
    <Data>6.3.9600.17415</Data>
    <Data>54505737</Data>
    <Data>c000041d</Data>
    <Data>0000000000008b9c</Data>
    <Data>9c0</Data>
    <Data>01d051153175cf74</Data>
    <Data>C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe</Data>
    <Data>C:\WINDOWS\system32\KERNELBASE.dll</Data>
    <Data>71bf9801-bd08-11e4-8315-c4d987f53cd1</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>
I have followed the directions for a complete removal and reinstallation of iTunes. Upon completion of the reinstallation the app will launch, but then after I reboot, the same error occurs. I have tried running in Windows 8 and Windows 7 compatibility mode, as well as Run As Administrator.
What else should I do?

Answer 1

If Jason's post hasn't helped then for general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.
The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.
The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, need to revert to an older version or want to try the iTunes for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) release as a workaround for performance issues or compatibility with third party software.
Your library should be unaffected by these steps but there is backup and recovery advice elsewhere in the user tip.
tt2