iTunes for Windows: How to copy purchases between computers
Summary
Learn how you can copy items you purchase from the iTunes Store to a different computer.
Products Affected
iTunes, iTunes Store
This document is for Windows users. If you use a Mac, see iTunes for Mac: How to copy purchases between computers.
You can download items once when you purchase them from the iTunes Store. To use purchased items on a different computer, just copy the items and authorize that computer. You can authorize up to five computers to use your purchased items.1 If you will no longer be using the computer you originally downloaded your purchases to, make sure to deauthorize your computer.
Once you've found the files for your purchased items, use any of the following methods to copy them to another computer. For information on where iTunes for Windows stores your audio files see this article.
Home Sharing
Transfer your iTunes content between authorized computers on your local network using the Home Sharing feature in iTunes 9. See iTunes: Understanding Home Sharing for more information.
Burn a data CD or DVD with the song files
Burn your purchased items to a data CD or DVD. Once you've burned the disc, insert it into another computer and import the items into iTunes. For information on how to back up your media in iTunes, see this article.
MobileMe iDisk
If you have a MobileMe account, you can save the files to your iDisk and then copy them to other authorized computers. See the MobileMe iDisk website for more information on using iDisk. You can even use an iDisk with a Windows PC.
External hard drive
Drag files to the disk icon of an external hard drive connected to your computer. Connect the hard drive to the other computer, and import the songs into iTunes. You can also use your iPod as a hard disk.
Use your iPod and iTunes
You can transfer iTunes Store purchases that are synced with your iPod to any authorized computer (for example, from your home to your work computer). For more details, see iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer.
File sharing
Turn on file sharing to copy files over a network.
Additional Information
Notes
- iTunes DRM-protected music includes audio with a bit rate of 128 kbps and allows users to transfer songs and videos to up to five computers, burn seven copies of the same playlist to CD, and sync to an unlimited number of iPods.
- iTunes Plus music refers to songs and music videos available in our highest-quality 256 kbps AAC encoding (twice the current bit rate of 128 kbps), and without digital rights management (DRM). There are no burn limits and iTunes Plus music will play on all iPods, Mac or Windows computers, Apple TVs, and many other digital music players.
- Purchases made from the App Store and iBookstore can be re-downloaded for free as long as the app/book is still available for purchase.
A note about copyright
iTunes software may be used to reproduce materials. It is licensed to you only for reproduction of non-copyrighted materials, materials in which you own the copyright, or materials you are authorized or legally permitted to reproduce. If you are uncertain about your right to copy any material, you should contact your legal adviser. See the iTunes Store Terms of Service for additional information.
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