How to De-authorize a Computer on iTunes

When you have an Apple ipod or iphone, it's common practice among most to authorize computers at home, work, at a friends place for iTunes, so that you won't have to carry your laptop around to download or play music. But there is a limit to the number of computers that one can authorize. Once your limit of 5 authorized computers is maxed out, you can no longer add new computers to the list to enable using Apple iTunes to play your purchased music from the iTunes store. At this point it becomes necessary to know what to do next.

There are two ways you can de-authorize computers. One option allows you to de-authorize all the computers that were authorized for iTunes at once. The other option lets you de-authorize only one computer that you want. This is how it needs to be done.

De-authorizing All The Computers
This is done via a different computer, that you wish to authorize.

• Go to the iTunes store menu on the left hand side of the window.
• Sign in to your account by entering your user name and password.
• Click on the Account tab, enter your password and click 'View Account'.
• In the Account Information section you will see an option, 'De-Authorize All'.

This will de-authorize all the computers that you were using and enables you to authorize new computers on iTunes. Now that you know how to de-authorize a computer on iTunes from another computer, the next section will tell you how to do the same using the computer you wish to de-authorize. This option can be used only once in 12 months.

De-authorizing One Computer
This section will teach you the procedure to de-authorize a computer which is already registered and it is the one you are going to use for de-authorization.

• Open the iTunes store and go to De-authorize Computer. The earlier version of iTunes lets you access this from the 'Advanced Menu'.
• Click on the option that reads, "De-authorize Computer for Apple Account" which may prompt you to insert your Apple user id and password.

In certain cases one computer ends up using multiple authorizations when you upgrade or reinstall Windows, hence Apple advises you to de-authorize the computer before any kind of upgrade that changes the configuration of your computer.

How to Authorize a Computer on iTunes
This was about de-authorizing a computer on iTunes for your Apple iPhone or iPod. If you have to authorize a computer to play your purchased music follow these steps.

• Select the song or video that you have bought and click the play button.
• If the computer is not authorized iTunes will prompt you to do so by entering the Apple ID and password.

Authorization of computers helps in protecting copyright on the content bought by the consumer. When you have less than 5 computers authorized, the content will play once you click the play button and authorize the computer automatically. However on maxing out, you will be asked to de-authorize a computer.

You must also know what is the use of authorization and de-authorization. Songs are protected by DRM (digital rights management) and cannot be played on any other device than Apple products. There are certain DRM removal software available which enable you to play these files on any device. However, if you download free music for iPod or an iPhone, the format of those is encoded in AAC. This format and those from iTunes Plus do not require authorization.