Having iTunes authorization problems? Files downloaded from the iTunes Store can only be authorized to play on 5 computers at a time. If you try to go over 5 computers, then iTunes will give you an authorization error.

For most people, 5 computers is plenty. One computer at home, one at work, a friend's computer, your laptop, your car... wait did Xzibit Pimp Your Ride and put computer in your car?

Where you really start to run into authorization problems is when you get a new computer or your current computer dies. Before you sell, donate or get rid of an old computer, you should always "deauthorize" it first in iTunes. You should even consider deauthorizing your computer before sending it away for repair or upgrade - in case it doesn't come back in one piece.

Deauthorizing your computer does not erase your music files; it simply prevents your purchased music from playing until you authorize that computer again with your iTunes password.

This tutorial will walk you through the entire iTunes Deauthorizing process.

Requirements:

• An iTunes Account
• Multiple Authorized Computers

How to Deauthorize Your Computer

Deauthorizing a single computer is easy. Just open iTunes and choose Deauthorize Computer from the Store menu (Store > Deauthorize Computer). This computer will no longer be attached to your account.

To deauthorize an Audible account, select Deauthorize from the Advanced menu (Advanced > Deauthorize Audible Account).

How to Deauthorize All Your Computers (Even Computers You Don't Have Physical Access To)

But what happens when it's too late. Let's say your IT department at work took your old computer away before you had time to deauthorize it first. Or maybe you regrettably authorized your ex-spouse's or former friend's computer. The last thing you want to do is call them, let along ask them to deauthorize their computer right? So what should you do?

If you no longer have physical access to one of your authorized iTunes computers, then you will need to deauthorize all computers connected to your iTunes account. You can do this by resetting your list of authorized iTunes computers currently listed in Apple's database.

Here's how:

1) Click on this link and log in to your iTunes account screen.
http://phobos.apple.com/accountSummary

2) You should now see your Apple Account Information screen. If you have already used up all 5 of your authorized iTunes computers, then you will see a button labeled "Deauthorize All." Click on the "Deauthorize All" button. If you have less than 5 authorized computers, then you won't see this button.

3) Apple will now ask you to verify this decision. Proceeding will deauthorize all computers associated with your iTunes account. As long as you know your iTunes login and password, reauthorizing computers is a very easy process and is explained in the next section below. Note: You can only use this feature once a year.

Reauthorizing Your Computers for iTunes

Don't worry. Reauthorizing computers is as simple as typing in your iTunes login and password. But remember, you can only reauthorize up to 5 computers. Try to keep your password secret this time or don't freely authorize every computer you meet you dirty bird.

To force iTunes to prompt you to authorize a computer, you should try to play a song or video you previously purchased from the iTunes Store. You can find content you purchased from the iTunes Store in the "Purchased" playlist in the left side column of your iTunes window.

That's It!

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