iTunes for Windows: How to copy purchases between computers
Summary
You can copy songs you purchased from the iTunes Store to a different computer.
Note: If you will no longer be using your old computer, make sure to deauthorize your computer.
Products Affected
iTunes Store, iTunes 7 for Windows, iTunes 9 for Windows, iTunes 8 for Windows
When you purchase a song from the iTunes Store, you're allowed to download it once. To play purchased music on a different computer, just copy the song files and authorize that computer. You can authorize up to five computers to play your purchased music.1 This document is for Windows users. If you use a Mac, see "iTunes: How to copy music between computers."
Once you've found your purchased music files, use any of the following methods to copy them to another computer. For information on where iTunes for Windows stores your audio files, see article HT2279.
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 the song files to a data CD or DVD. Once you've burned the disc, insert it into another computer and import the songs into iTunes. For information on how to back up your media in iTunes, see article HT1382.
MobileMe iDisk
If you have a MobileMe account, you can save song 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 8
With iTunes 8 you can transfer iTunes Store purchases that are synced with your iPod to any authorized computer. Let's say from your home to your work computer. Here are the steps to transfer purchases from your iPod.
- Make sure that you are using the latest version of iTunes 8 and iPod software.
- Authorize your computer by choosing Authorize Computer from the Store menu in iTunes.
- Attach your iPod to the computer that contains purchases.
- From the File menu, choose Transfer Purchases from iPod.
File sharing
Turn on file sharing to copy files over a network.
You can email music files as enclosures, but email is not the best way to copy music because most song files are too large for email servers to process.
Additional Information
Notes
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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.
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.