Disable iPhone and iPod Touch's Auto Backup Process

In Windows
Disabling the slow iTunes Backup on Windows is a little tricky, but it works. First of all close ITunes and then follow these steps:

1. Locate your iTunesPrefs.xml file. It’s usually located in C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes or C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes.
Hint: If the folder Application Data does not show up, make sure that hidden files are visible in the Windows Explorer

2. Backup your iTunesPrefs.xml file

3. Open iTunesPrefs.xml using a capable text-editor (e.g. Notepad++ (See Bottom), Ultraedit, but not MS Notepad)

4. Search for a section called User Preferences and paste the following snipped into the User Preferences Section after the first <dict>:
<key>DeviceBackupsDisabled</key>
<data>
dHJ1ZQ==
</data>


After you’ve done that it should exactly look like the screenshot on the bottom.

5. Save the file and restart iTunes. Backups should now be disabled. To enable backups again delete the XML Snippet from iTunesPrefs.xml file.