Authorizing a Computer on iTunes PC

To authorize a computer on iTunes for Windows, open iTunes, go to Account in the menu bar, select "Authorizations," then click "Authorize This Computer." Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. iTunes will confirm the authorization, and your computer can now play protected content you've purchased.

Authorization links your computer to your Apple ID so you can play music, videos, and other media you've bought through iTunes. Without authorization, protected purchases won't play on that machine. You can authorize up to five computers per Apple ID at any given time.

Key Takeaways

  • You authorize a computer by opening iTunes, clicking Account, selecting Authorizations, and choosing Authorize This Computer.
  • Authorization requires your Apple ID and password, and the computer must be connected to the internet.
  • Each Apple ID can authorize up to five computers, and you can deauthorize a computer remotely from any authorized machine.
  • If you've already authorized five computers, you must deauthorize one before authorizing a new one.

Step-by-Step Authorization Process

Open iTunes on your Windows computer. If you don't have iTunes installed, read it from Apple's website. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet before you begin.

Click the Account menu at the top of the iTunes window. If you don't see a menu bar, press Ctrl+B to show it. From the dropdown, select "Authorizations," then click "Authorize This Computer." A dialog box will appear asking for your Apple ID and password. Enter both and click "Authorize." iTunes will display a confirmation message showing the authorization was successful and listing how many computers you have authorized under that Apple ID.

What Happens After Authorization

Once your computer is authorized, you can play any protected music, videos, audiobooks, or other content you've purchased through iTunes on that machine. Protected content is marked with a lock icon in your library. Without authorization, iTunes will refuse to play these files.

Authorization stays active until you deauthorize the computer. You don't need to renew it or log in again each time you use iTunes. If you sell the computer, give it away, or stop using it, you should deauthorize it so that authorization slot becomes available for a different machine.

Deauthorizing a Computer

To deauthorize a computer you're currently using, open iTunes, click Account, select Authorizations, and click "Deauthorize This Computer." Enter your Apple ID and password. The computer will no longer be able to play protected purchases.

If you no longer have access to a computer you previously authorized—because you sold it, it broke, or you can't reach it—you can deauthorize it remotely. Sign in to your Apple ID account on Apple's website, go to your account settings, find the Devices section, and remove the computer from the list. You can do this once per year; if you've already used your yearly deauthorization, you'll need to wait until the next calendar year.

Troubleshooting Authorization Problems

If iTunes says you've already authorized five computers, you've hit the limit for that Apple ID. You must deauthorize one computer before authorizing another. Choose a computer you no longer use and deauthorize it using the steps above.

If the authorization fails, check that you're using the correct Apple ID and password. Make sure your internet connection is stable. If you recently changed your Apple ID password, sign out of iTunes completely, then sign back in with your new password before attempting authorization again. If the problem persists, restart iTunes and try once more.

Understanding the Five-Computer Limit

Apple allows each Apple ID to authorize up to five computers at the same time. This limit exists to prevent widespread sharing of protected purchases across many machines. The five computers can be any mix of Windows PCs and Macs.

The limit applies per Apple ID, not per computer. If you have multiple Apple IDs, each one gets its own set of five authorizations. If you share a computer with family members who have different Apple IDs, each person can authorize that computer under their own account, and each person's purchases will play when they're logged in.

When You Need to Authorize

You need to authorize a computer the first time you want to play protected iTunes purchases on it. If you buy music from iTunes on your laptop, you can play it when ready because that laptop is already authorized. If you want to play the same music on a desktop computer, you must authorize the desktop first.

You do not need to authorize a computer to read purchases, to use iTunes Match, or to stream music from Apple Music. Authorization is specifically for playing protected content you've bought. If you only stream music or use iTunes for managing your device, authorization may not be necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I authorize more than five computers?

No. Each Apple ID can authorize a maximum of five computers at one time. If you need to authorize a sixth computer, you must deauthorize one of the existing five first. You can deauthorize and reauthorize computers as often as you need.

What happens if I forget to deauthorize before selling my computer?

The new owner won't be able to play your protected purchases on that computer. You can deauthorize it remotely through your Apple ID account settings on Apple's website. You can do this once per year; after that, you'll need to wait until the next calendar year to deauthorize again.

Do I need to authorize a computer to buy music on iTunes?

No. You can purchase music, videos, and other content without authorization. Authorization is only required to play protected purchases. You can buy content on any computer with an internet connection.

Will authorization work if I'm offline?

No. Your computer must be connected to the internet to authorize. iTunes needs to contact Apple's servers to verify your Apple ID and set up the authorization. Once authorized, you can play protected purchases offline.

Can I authorize the same computer twice with different Apple IDs?

Yes. A single computer can be authorized under multiple Apple IDs. Each person who uses the computer can authorize it under their own Apple ID, and each person's purchases will play when they're logged in. However, each Apple ID still counts toward its own five-computer limit.