How to Have iTunes on Two Laptops

Share your iTunes music between two computers.

Once you've purchased music, video or other types of media from the iTunes store, you can share it with up to 4 other users through the Home Sharing feature found only in iTunes 9. As long as Home Sharing is enabled on both laptops and you are on the same network, you and the other user can copy content from each other's music library. For music that was purchased prior to January 2009 you must also authorize the other computer, as your purchased content may have digital rights management (DRM) protection.

Things You'll Need

• iTunes 9 or later
• Shared Wi-Fi connection

Instructions

1. Click "Start," "All Programs," "Apple" and "iTunes" to start iTunes 9 on a PC. For Macs, click the "iTunes" icon on your dock.

2. Click "Store" at the top of the menu and select "Authorize Computer" from the drop-down menu.

3. Type the email address registered with Apple for iTunes, and enter the password. Click the "Authorize" button to authorize the computer to play purchased iTunes content.

4. Click "Advanced" at the top of the menu and select "Enable Home Sharing." Enter your iTunes account email address and password, and click "Create Home Share." Repeat this step on the other laptop to enable sharing between the two computers.

5. Click the name of the other computer located under the "Shared" section in the iTunes sidebar. Drag and drop songs from the other user's library to the "Music" tab in the iTunes sidebar to copy them.

References

• Apple Support: Understanding Home Sharing
• "Macs For Dummies"; Edward C. Baig; 2008
• Apple Support: About iTunes Store Authorization and Deauthorization