Applications problem: "You cannot update this software since you have not owned the major version of this software."

I had the same message updating iMovie and iPhoto after migration to a new MacBook Pro. AppleCare told me to go to the Purchases tab in AppStore and Accept those pre-installed programs to be added to my Apple ID. After that, update went fine.

I have the same problem and I hope this get resolved soon. This error comes up on my new Apple iMac 27 inches I just got today and no clue why, I hope Apple look into it soon.

Since your problem occurred upon moving to a new Mac, my solution may work for you. Go to the Purchases tab in AppStore and see if there are some programs waiting to be Accepted on the new Mac.

I tried that solution on my laptop jrglover and it didn't work. I'm suspecting it's within the Apple ID. I received a new iPad and wanted to integrate both the iPad and my laptop. The new iPad kept asking me what my Apple ID was and after 3 attempts, it kept telling me that I had the wrong password. I created a new password and thought I wiped out all mention of any other Apple ID's and/or passwords. Then....the trouble started. iTunes will no longer acknowledge my "old" account or ID, I started getting the message we've been discussing, and when I checked my Wish List in iTunes, ALL my selections had been wiped away. So there was a MAJOR disconnect when I changed my Apple ID password. It's like the laptop, or iTunes specifically, doesn't recognize that it's me. Very annoying.

I fixed the issue by resetting my password for the app store.

Same problem.... different solution found.

A while back when I went from MobileMe to iCloud there were issues in regards to having to create a new AppleID.

I, like may others, wound up with two seperate ID's.

When I was unable to update several apps I logged out of the current ID and logged back in using the other. I was able to successfully update all of the apps that would not update.

I just went through the steps recommended above (find app and update from there) and was successful. Shortly after I received an email. Posting here FYI.

Dear <My name>,

Your Apple ID, <My Apple ID>, was just used to download <Application name> from the App Store on a computer or device that had not previously been associated with that Apple ID.

If you initiated this download, you can disregard this email. It was only sent to alert you in case you did not initiate the download yourself.

If you did not initiate this download, we recommend that you go to iforgot.apple.com to change your password, then see Apple ID: Tips for protecting the security of your account for further assistance.

Regards,

Apple

So I've been having this issue for a few months and today I noticed everytime I tried to update my apps from iTunes It would start and then say updating.... "name of app" then goes away and that awful message pops up before anything actually starts to update. So I searched the name of the app that was attempting to "update" in my library went to view info and turns out it belonged to a friend of mines that used to use my Mac in 2010 to sync his iPhone. Of all my apps that needed updating 3 out of the 300+ belonged to him which I simply deleted when the error came up and now everything works. Hope this works out for someone else!

I'm a bit of an app whore of 4000+ apps so I usually don't care to be constantly updating my library unless I just get the bug to. 😮

I´ve had this issue only TODAY (yesterday everything updated fine!). I´ve tried doing some of the tips given here: going to Apps and updating from there (as well from iTunes Store) and only had luck in ONE app. BUT, the Free apps that needed update, where successfully dowloaded after I "bought" them again, that is, when clicked on the FREE buttom, it changed to "UPDATE" and did the job. The problem is with the PAID ones - they ask me to BUY again, although at the properties tab at the Apps it shows I do really own them, Apple Store wants to charge my credit card again before updating (it doesn´t show the "UPDATE" buttom as it did with the FREE Apps !!!!!).

For what I´ve read here, I think I will have to wait till Apple fixes this bug !!! Although it doesn´t seem a new one as many people had this issue in different periods of time !!!!!!!!!! Wow...Very disappointing... ;-(