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

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

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

Try authorising your purchases with a different Apple ID

You may 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 can see Remove Download, then you're signed in with the Apple ID that you used to purchase the item. Select Remove Download, then redownload the item.

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

1. On your PC, open iTunes for Windows.

2. In Library, find a song that you've 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. Authorise 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've forgotten 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 authorisation 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 whether 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 whether 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 you want.

5. Click OK.

6. Restart your computer.

7. Try to authorise your computer again.

Remove the SC Info folder in Windows

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

1. Close 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 Organise, 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 authorise your computer again. If you have multiple Apple IDs, authorise 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.