If iTunes for Windows prompts you to authorize your computer when you try to play purchases

You might not be able to authorize your computer due to issues with account or folder permissions. Continue below to fix the issue.

iTunes for Windows might ask you to authorize your computer before you can play items you bought from the iTunes Store. Learn what to do if you’ve reached your authorization limit.

Try authorizing your purchases with a different Apple ID

You might have used a different Apple ID to buy the items that you want to play. To check, right-click the item and look for Remove Download in the menu. If you see Remove Download, you're signed in with the Apple ID that you used to purchase the item. Select Remove Download, then redownload the item.

If you don't see Remove Download, follow these steps:

1. On your PC, open iTunes for Windows.

2. In Library, find a song that you bought from the iTunes Store and select it.

3. From the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, choose Edit > Get Info.

4. Click the File tab. Look to the right of "purchased by" for the Apple ID that you used to buy the item.

5. Authorize your computer using the Apple ID from step 4, which might have changed since you bought the item if you updated the password or email address associated with that Apple ID. If you forgot your Apple ID password, visit iforgot.apple.com.

If you're not sure if your Apple ID has changed since you bought the item, check the purchase history of that Apple ID for the item to confirm that the item is on the list of purchases.

Turn off User Account Controls

In iTunes for Windows, you can fix some authorization issues if you reset your User Account Controls. To reset your User Account Controls in Windows 7 or later, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard. If your keyboard doesn't have a Windows key, press the Control (Ctrl) and Escape (Esc) keys on your keyboard.

2. Click on the magnifying icon or search field. In the search field, enter UserAccountControlSettings.

3. Click UserAccountControlSettings.

4. If asked if you want to allow this app to make changes, click Yes.

5. Move the slider to the bottom setting.

6. Click OK.

7. If asked if you want to allow this app to make changes, click Yes.

8. Restart your computer.

Then, turn User Account Controls back on.

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard. If your keyboard doesn't have a Windows key, press the Control (Ctrl) and Escape (Esc) keys on your keyboard.

2. Click on the magnifying icon or search field. In the search field, enter UserAccountControlSettings.

3. Click UserAccountControlSettings.

4. Move the slider back to the setting that you want.

5. Click OK.

6. Restart your computer.

7. Try to authorize your computer again.

Remove the SC Info folder in Windows

To work properly, iTunes needs the SC Info folder on your computer. You can authorize your computer to play your purchases if you remove the folder. Then, let iTunes recreate it.

1. Quit iTunes.

2. Press the Windows key on your keyboard. If your keyboard doesn't have a Windows key, press the Control (Ctrl) and Escape (Esc) keys on your keyboard.

3. Click on the magnifying icon or search field. In the search field, enter %ProgramData%, then press Return.

4. Show hidden files:

   • Windows 10: Click View, then select "Hidden items."

   • Windows 8: Click View, then click Options. On the View tab, select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."

   • Windows 7: Click Organize, then click "Folder and search options." On the View tab, select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."

5. Open the Apple Computer folder, then open the iTunes folder.

6. Right-click the SC Info folder and choose Delete from the pop-up menu.

7. Restart your computer.

8. Open iTunes.

9. Try to authorize your computer again. If you have multiple Apple IDs, authorize your computer for each Apple ID.

Get help with billing issues

• View your purchase history.

• Report a problem with a purchase.

• View, change, or cancel your subscriptions.