Why is 'deauthorize this computer' on itunes not working?

Authorization vs. association

Up to 5 computers can be simultaneously authorized for each Apple ID. There is no direct record of which machines are authorized. It is up to you to keep track. iPods & iOS devices are limited to DRM protected content from up to 5 different accounts. There is no limit to the number of devices that you can load up with content using iTunes. You can deauthorize computers that you no longer wish to use to access protected content so that you can authorize others. You either do this on the specific machine or deauthorize all and then reauthorize as needed. Having used deathorize all you cannot use it again for a year, though Apple Support may be able to perform a reset if you can explain why you need to reuse the feature before it becomes available to you. Reinstalling Windows without deauthorizing first will use up an authorization.

HT201251: Authorize your computer in iTunes - Apple Support

A mix of up to 10 computers and iOS devices (no more than 5 computers) can be associated with your Apple ID for iTunes Match/Apple Music, automatic downloads, or redownloads of past purchases. There is a 90 day limit before a computer or device can be switched to another ID or the association removed. The list of associated devices is the one you can see within your account details in iTunes. You associate a device or computer by using certain features, typically downloading past purchases. You don't necessarily need to associate a computer or device with your Apple ID to use it with your content. Again Apple Support may be able to reset if you can explain why you need to reset the association early.

HT204074: View and remove your associated devices in iTunes - Apple Support

You can happily remove any and all associations that are not within the 90 day limit. Those that you actually use will be recreated as and when you make use of a service that triggers association.

tt2

The MacWorld article says the system can be confusing, and that computer repairs can lead to lost authorizations.

I don't know the details of the inner workings of the authorization and deauthorization process but presumably there is some sort of unique token stored on the computer, and a record back at base of how many active copies of the token there are. Each time iTunes checks that it is still authorized it will compare its token with the one on Apple's servers. If they're still the same you can access protected content, if not then you need to authorize the machine. If it works like this then Apple only know how many authorizations they think you have, and the only option they have to reset things is to issue a new token and set the count back to zero. FWIW on Windows it is the individual copy of the OS that gets authorized and reinstalling Windows may remove the token without updating Apple's records. On Macs the hardware itself is authorized which is handy if you have a multi-boot system or need to reinstall the OS.

Complaining about the system won't fix anything. Bite the bullet and deauthorize all. If you cannot trigger it from your end because you've done so already in the last year then Apple Support can do it for you. Last time I had problems I set up a file called Authorizations.txt in my main library folder so I could record when I did the reset, and exactly which computers I authorized and when.

Use Feedback - iTunes - Apple to share your thoughts with Apple, they're not listening here.

tt2

Instead of arguing the point repeatedly, why don't you simply Deauthorise All, then re-authorise the ones you want? If that doesn't work (possibly because you've hit that limit somewhere along the line), follow the link provided by tt2 to contact Apple Support and explain why you need to Deauthorise All again so soon.

The Apple procedure is unwieldy, no doubt, but as tt2 pointed out, the system was almost certainly how Apple managed to keep the music industry from killing the iPod stone dead at birth. (The music industry is not known for its understanding of new technology - if fact they usually misunderstand it to the point that it damages their own business.)

It really doesn't matter what you think the status of any of your computers is, if the Apple system doesn't respond in the way you want, simply doing the same thing again won't change anything. (As tt2 notes, if Windows is reinstalled without deauthorising the machine first, that's an authorisation still in use, so authorising the same machine will then use up a second authorisation.)

Use Deauthorise All.

To check your authorized computers, see the "How to check your number of authorizations" section in:

Authorize your computer in iTunes - Apple Support

This article may also help:

Deauthorize your computer using iTunes - Apple Support

I don't know why you're having trouble with the deauthorization and authorization process, but I've managed it many times. One of the issues with deauthorizing is that you can only do it with the working machine in front of you, whereas when you reach the limit of five it is often a different computer that you want to eliminate. As noted deauthorizing all is often the way to resolve things. I think I've done it twice in about 12 years of using iTunes.

Computers need to be authorized to play and transfer protected content. The rules were presumably negotiated with rights holders when Apple first set up iTunes and are designed to prevent people sharing media indiscriminately.

tt2

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2