Prompt every time I open iTunes: "Your iTunes Store session has expired"

In the past these symptoms might have been fixed by resetting the iTunesPrefs.xml file. (One of the reasons for looking at Fix unexpected quits or launch issues in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support is to determine if the issue is connected to a specific iTunes library or Windows user profile.) iTunes 12.5.1.21 introduced a change with the way preferences are saved. It seems that what used to be stored in:

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunesPrefs.xml

is now stored in a number of files spread amongst these folders:

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\Cookies

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Preferences

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\Preferences\ByHost

If preferences aren't being saved then try right-clicking the iTunes shortcut and using Run as administrator. Doing this once may resolve things. Otherwise try holding down Ctrl+Shift as you start iTunes to launch it in its own safe mode which again may sometimes help. Otherwise if these three folders don't exist on your system creating them may allow iTunes to save its preferences properly. Alternatively deleting those that you do have may allow them to be recreated with the right permissions so that changes are stored in future.

Type %appdata%<return> in Explorer's address bar to reach the Roaming folder without having to display hidden folders.

tt2

I don't have an old one to replace with. Are they ever going to fix this? Found 8 different threads and none of these solutions are working. BTW, for me I have to cancel 2 times EVERY time. Annoying AF. This has happened the last two versions of iTunes. I'm on Win 7 64 and would love to find a proper solution. Actually a proper solution would be Apple fixing this for good.

Thanks turingtest2

I have now fixed my issue by following your suggestion to delete the iTunesPrefs.xml from:

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\

I can also see that a new file was created in:

C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\Cookies

Not sure what exactly worked but I got rid of this by doing the following:

- uninstalled itunes completely with the proper process (Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows 7 and later - Apple Support) and then installed again. (I believe the problem didn't go away at this point).

- Going to "Account" menu and signing out; closed itunes; reopened and signed in. Tested a few times and the popup no longer occured. It's probably worth trying this to see if it works before uninstalling itunes.

When the popup was occuring I opened itunes in safe mode (holding ctrl + shift while opening itunes) and it didn't popup. Not sure why.

Note: iTunes version 12.6.2.20

Hi egglands_best,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities! I'm sorry to hear that you are having these issues with iTunes on your Windows machine. If you are having unusual connection issues to the iTunes Store (even if you are able to log in), you may find the information and troubleshooting steps outlined in the following articles helpful:

If you can’t connect to the iTunes Store - Apple Support

Advanced steps for fixing issues with iTunes Store connection - Apple Support

Regards

Hello,

I'm encountering this same glitch.

The pages Brenden links to seem to all be focused on how to make sure iTunes can connect to the iTunes store.

I'm not sure about egglands_best, but I don't want to be constantly logged into anything that has my payment information and the ability to make purchases if I hit the wrong button (or someone using my Mac does).

Whenever I open up iTunes, this notification is the first thing I see. I hit "cancel", and the notification goes away. I close my laptop and open it back up again, and then there's the notification again. I hit "cancel" and the notification goes away. I plug in my phone to charge it up, and then there's the notification again. I hit "cancel" and the notification goes away. I try to listen to some music, and then there's the notification again. I hit "cancel" and the notification goes away. I reset my Internet connection, and then there's the notification again.

Further, if you try to ignore the notification, the iTunes icon in the dock bounces up and down infinity times until you click on it and hit the "cancel" button again. It's wildly intrusive and impossible to ignore.

How do we stop iTunes trying to log into the iTunes store?

How do we stop iTunes trying to log into the iTunes store?

From the iTunes menu Account > Sign Out.

tt2

Well that only logs you out of the iTunes store but as soon as you log back in (in what I'm experiencing) the **** popup or prompt about "iTunes Store session expired" comes straight back.

I've tried several "fixes" including setting/synchronizing the time on the PC to repairing iTunes.

Nothing seems to get rid of this.

I'm even trying Apple Support on twitter now

Try Fix unexpected quits or launch issues in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support.

tt2

Thank you for that page.

removed library file and replaced with an old backup one and annoying popup gone.

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

Great, glad it helped. 🙂

tt2