Should I have an Apple Music subscription to buy music on my Windows computer?

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Level 1

9 points

Should I have an Apple Music subscription to buy music on my Windows computer?

I have a windows computer and an iPhone. Ever since Apple forced a switch from itunes to Apple music I have been having all sorts of problems. First have lost - am unable to access - about half of my music - and nothing has worked to get back. Now when I try to buy new songs, if I search first and the music comes up there is no buy option - and if instead I go to the itunes store first, then the search function doesn't work. Do I have to pay the subscription fee in order to buy new music?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Can't buy music on my windows computer

iPhone SE, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 21, 2025 04:41 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

277,711 points

Jul 22, 2025 03:19 AM in response to montyhebert

Did you know that you can uninstall Apple Music/Devices/TV and iTunes should revert to full functionality? I would start with that approach. Apple Music for Windows is a poor substitute. If you still have content missing from the iTunes library after reverting see Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash - Apple Community.

tt2

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Answer 2

montyhebert Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 22, 2025 06:52 AM in response to turingtest2

Thank you, no I did not know that. I am a tech challenged grandma. Can you please advise on where I should turn for help getting that done - Apple support or Geek squad - and do I start making the change with my iPhone or my desktop computer? Thanks again.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

277,711 points

Jul 22, 2025 09:25 AM in response to montyhebert

Apple aren't going to tell you that anywhere in their support documentation. They simply expect you to update to Apple Music when they made it available and somehow assume there won't be any issues. Sadly that is not always the case. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/uninstall-or-remove-apps-and-programs-in-windows-4b55f974-2cc6-2d2b-d092-5905080eaf98 for Microsoft's advice on uninstalling apps. It should be relatively straightforward to remove whichever of Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices are currently installed. If iTunes is currently still installed then once those apps are gone you should find your old library is still there. Should you need to reinstall iTunes it can be found here:

https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64

If content is missing from the library once you have reverted see the link I posted previously on that topic.

tt2

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