ITunes library appears invalid

Since I upgraded to the latest version of itunes (months ago), i have had issues upon opening the program. Instead of opening my library, it gives me an error message saying: The file "itunes library" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your iTunes library and renamed this file "iTunes Library (Damaged 5)". This is the 5th time I've tried to open it today and I keep getting this message.
When I first downloaded the upgrade, my library was working fine as usual then after a few weeks I began seeing this error. It reloads my entire library, but some of the artwork is missing and it duplicates my playlists (audiobooks, movies, podcasts, etc.) I am able to get album artwork through the Advanced tab, but I need to do it everytime this happens.
I've uninstalled iTunes and reinstalled it. I've also renewed my permissions through Utility. I wasn't getting this error for a while, but now it has started again and is happening more frequently. I don't know what could be causing it.

Sometimes you can resolve it by doing the following:
- Download the .exe file from Apple.com/iTunes
- Go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs
- iTunes > Remove
- Open C:\Program Files (default location)
- Find "iTunes" (default folder name)
- Shift + Delete > OK
- Run a registry cleaner, such as PC Tools Desktop Maestro, to remove all old shortcuts and registry keys no longer valid on your computer.
- Start > Shut Down > Restart your computer
- Run the iTunes install program
This should fix the problem, however may require also to update your Windows software (update.Microsoft.com) and download the latest Visual Basic Runtime executable. One time during my clean reinstall the iTunes software mentioned an error with a vbrun executable and couldn't continue the install until I found it online.
Message was edited by: JoeZinVA

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ITunes library appears invalid

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