This iPod cannot be used because the required software is not installed error
April 14, 2008
Problem: Worked on a computer where the client installed the newest iTunes update. Once the installation was finished, they got the following error when plugging in their iTouch
Solution: Came across a few suggestions to uninstall both iTunes and QuickTime, then let the iTunes installer install both. I did that along with uninstalling the Apple Mobile Device Support and then reinstalled and everything worked for me. My theory is that uninstalling the mobile device support is what really did it. I would recommend uninstalling that first and move on to iTunes and QuickTime if it doesn’t work.
Posted in 
June 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I did exactly what you said and it worked… Thank you
June 18th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
You’re welcome, glad to hear it worked. Did you have to uninstall all the apps or just the mobile device support?
August 13th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Just to let you know. To fix this problem, you must uninstall both Apple Mobile Services and iTunes. Reboot the machine, and reinstall iTunes.
If you only uninstall iTunes (and reinstall it), the problem won’t go away.
If you only uninstall Apple Mobile Services, then attempt to reinstall it using the iTunes installer’s “Repair” mode, the Apple Mobile Services won’t be reinstalled.
So you really must uninstall both, then run the iTunes installer. There is no need to uninstall Quicktime or Internet Explorer 7.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Please Help…
I’m having the same issue and have uninstalled both with no luck. But I don’t see that I have apple mobile services installed, shouldn’t this be apart of iTunes?
August 19th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Mobile services is part of iTunes but in my experiences, it doesn’t install until you plug in your iPhone and your OS autodetects and installs. If you don’t see the mobile services in your Add/Remove programs then I wouldn’t think that it’s installed. But if you want to make sure try Apple’s instructions on how to uninstall all the programs mentioned, completely. Hope this helps.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1925
Larry