How can I remove DRM from my iTunes music without transcoding?

Question

I have some iTunes files with the file type AAC audio (protected) on Windows 7. The problem is that these songs only work with Apple software, and I want to remove the DRM.

Answer 1

Here's an article that lists three ways to do it. The first way involves burning audio to CD and re-importing, which would be lossy/transcoding. The second and third methods appear to be software-based techniques to remove the DRM from the files without transcoding. I have not tried any of these methods.

Answer 2

Apple offers a feature called iTunes Plus to upgrade most purchases to a DRM-free version for a small fee. This link will bring you directly to the appropriate section in iTunes to do this.

Answer 3

You can try this itunes audio converter via, which can convert your iTunes music files as you like. The quality loss is very small, the output quality can be equal to CD quality.

Macsome Audiobook Converter For Win is a newly released and powerful audio book converter, which can convert any audio books that could be played on iTunes. The conversion is 5X speed fast, and the output quality could be the CD Quality. Moreover, it's also an .aa converter, audio book to MP3 converter.

This Audio book Converter converts any Audio Book from iTunes and Audible AA to MP3 or AAC files on your PC. This software also supports batch conversion. In other words, you can converts more than one DRM protected or unprotected audio book file to unprotected MP3 or AAC files with ID tags preserved simultaneously.

Answer 4

Burning to Audio CD and re-ripping is not 'lossy' - yes you change codecs - however, you aren't losing quality going up to Audio CD from your 128 bit files.

When you come back down from Audio CD quality - you could lose quality, however, you could use 'Apple Lossless' or just keep them as AIFF or WAV if you'd prefer. Then you haven't lost any quality from your original files - they are just LOTS bigger :)

Answer 5

With iTunes Match you can re-download them in iTunes Plus quality without DRM protection. And it's just $25 a year, definitely worth if you have more than an album with DRM. http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/

Answer 6

You can strip this restriction by burning songs on iTunes, just insert a blank CD. (You'd better use a re-writable CD which can be used circularly and use some software like Nero to wipe off the music files you have processed.)

Note: You need to change iTunes settings in "Edit" > "Preferences" before burn and import. Or if you want to batch convert iTunes music files, this aac to mp3 guide may help you :).

Answer 7

I always use this program to remove DRM from my iTunes video purchases & rentals. It's good and can "crack" the latest DRM protection from Apple.

Answer 8

This answer only applies to someone with a Mac. I don't believe in paying iTunes again for something I already bought once. So, in case it helps someone else:

I've been having success with the program Virtual CD-RW for Mac... there's a 15 day fully functional demo period. (http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/33355/virtual-cd-rw)

Basically, it tricks your computer into thinking you've mounted a blank CD. So I just filtered out all my iTunes music whose Kind is Protected AAC (bought before they removed DRM), split it up into CD-sized playlists, and burn and import playlists one by one. Just a modification of burning all your songs to an audio CD and then importing.