Resolved ITunes 12.12.2.2 Windows 11 Hangs When Adding music file via Drag or Add File to Library

I have a new Windows 11 PC. iTunes installed and plays my ported over library successfully. It also autodownloads and plays new podcasts with no problems. On my first attempt to add an individual new m4a or mp3 file to it, whether via dragging from File Explorer or using Add File to Library, iTunes freezes and requires Task Manager End Task. Any assistance appreciated.

 

SOLVED.

After trying the Fix Problems With Apps From Microsoft Store, which ITunes support recommended and which was unsuccessful, I was poking around my Music Playlists and discovered clicking on Recently Added was the only thing that was hanging, not the adding of the song itself. When I added a music file, the next thing I usually do is click on Recently Added to then retrieve the file, select Song Info and modify some descriptive attributes about the file.

Once I restarted iTunes from yet another hang, I realized Recently Added contained almost my entire library of nearly 14,000 songs since I had just reinstalled iTunes a few days ago. When I changed the attributes in Recently Added to only display additions from the last 3 days, it displayed them without hanging. The "hang" was apparently iTunes assembling a list of nearly 14,000 songs each time I clicked on Recently Added.

Lesson learned: beware using Recently Added too soon after you reinstall a large iTunes music library, or specify a limit by number of songs in that Music Playlist rather than the 7 days I had been using.

Problem solved.