iTunes: activating computer does not work - what to do

If activating your computer doesn't work in iTunes, there are three possible solutions you can use to solve the problem:

Possibility 1: Activation with an administrator account

First try to activate iTunes with an administrator account:

1. Log in to your PC with your admin account.
2. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes.
3. Start iTunes and select "Activate computer" under "Store" (see picture).
4. Enter your account details in the following window.
5. Then quit iTunes and switch back to your account. If you start iTunes there now, the computer should have been activated.

Option 2: Use the correct account name

Check the account name with which you bought the title:

1. Select a title in your library and click on "File" and then on "Information".
2. Switch to the "Overview" tab. There you will see the account name with which you bought the selected title. With this you finally have to authorize your PC.

Option 3: Deactivate or activate user account control

Another option is to switch Windows user account control off and on again:

1. Go to the Control Panel and then "User Accounts and Protection of Minors".
2. In the "User Accounts" window, click "User Accounts".
3. Windows Vista users now choose "Turn User Account Control On or Off" - Windows 7 users choose "Change User Account Control Settings".
4. In Vista, uncheck "Use User Account Control to help protect your computer." In Windows 7 you have to move the slider to the lowest setting "Never notify".
5. Click "OK" and restart the PC.
6. Now carry out the steps mentioned backwards and reactivate the user account control.
7. Then activate your computer via iTunes.

What you can do about it if errors occur during synchronization with iTunes-Match can be read in the next practical tip.