Your daily fix of iTunes Plugins, Tips and Scripts for Windows XP and Vista
mmKeys.dll – Use a multimedia keyboard with iTunes
Tags: Keyboard
Added On: 4th Jan 08
Links: [site] [download]
EDIT: As a keen reader has pointed out, this software no longer works, due to changes made in the latest release of iTunes. Instead, use HKTunes, found on google code.
Makes your multimedia keyboard buttons work with iTunes when the program isn’t currently in focus, or is minimised.
It is common to find that, when it’s not maximised, iTunes will not recognise your media or gaming keyboard shortcuts as commands to play, pause, skip song, etc. This simple plugin fixes the problem in most cases. It saves you having to bring iTunes up on screen each time you want to use the keys.
To use this plugin, simply copy the mmKeys.dll file into your plugins folder.
- For XP Users, this is found in “C:\Program Files\iTunes\Plug-ins”
- For Vista Users, it’s “C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins” and you may have to show hidden files (or use the search) in order to see the AppData folder. One commenter also reported that it works when put in “C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins”.
- For Windows 7 Users: follow Vista instructions above.
- For linux+wine Users: This reportedly doesn’t work. Most likely a Wine bug though… what are you using iTunes for anyway?!
- In each case, you have to create this folder if it doesn’t already exist.
You also need to restart iTunes to load the dll. Some commenters have also reported a short delay after the button-press. I’m not sure why this could be..
Other Notes:
+ You still need to install the correct drivers for most keyboards in order to use the MultiMedia keys in the first place. This dll does NOT replace those drivers.
+ There’s also a reported glitch where the windows maximises, on both Windows 7 and Vista… anyone care to confirm this, or list what other apps they have running at the time? Also reportedly doesn’t work again until iTunes is restarted.. OR only pops up with PLAY and PAUSE, but not NEXT_TRACK… Please give more info in your comments!
+ This may be achievable using a registry hack. See this comment.
+ Some users have issues while playing full-screen games, where the keys no longer work. Please elaborate on this problem in the comments too.
+ If it’s not working, try killing “ituneshelper.exe” from within Task Manager. (press Ctrl+Alt+Delete)
+ If when you press a multimedia key, Windows Media Player (WMP) pops up, you need to make sure that iTunes is your default media player [how?].
+ Apparently the issue was fixed in an early version of iTunes 7, but with the later releases the problem has re-surfaced.
+ This plugin is great if you want your multi-media keyboard to be able to control iTunes when it’s behind another window or hidden in the system tray.
+ Apparently, this works in all flavours of Windows XP, Vista and 7, and both 32- and 64-bit varieties!
* Updated to reflect comments * – Please keep the comments rolling in!
Directory for XP on iTunes is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins
^ I keep getting a server error trying to go to that site for HKTunes??
That new program may work, but my computer doesn’t need to applications running just to make my media keys usable. That sucks. It’s already slow as it is. If the guy who made this could fix it that would be great. The fact that it just embeds itself into iTunes while it runs is great, no extra memory usage, and no extra applications to worry about.
The same thing. Doesn’t work on itunes 10.4.0.80 :(
Alternative method : http://code.google.com/p/hktunes/
It works perfectly ;)
Like I said in my post Steeven. It may work but for those of us who don’t have sweet computers adding yet another 6,000 mem process doesn’t exactly help with gaming. mmKeys was genius because it just ran as part of iTunes. No extra applications required. I want it back, plz update it! :D
I dont understand, is no one else getting a “500″ Server Error for the hktunes link?
Regardless, as Rosson says, fixing mmkeys.dll will be far more beneficial
So I got a SideWinder X4 as a birthday present.
I installed the Driver & updated iTunes up to 10.4 or so. And now no Shortcuts work. Not with maximised and not with minimized iTunes.
I have the mmKeys.dll for month in my Plug-Ins folder.
Now that I deinstalled Microsoft IntelliType Pro, which was installed by installing the driver of my new keyboard (or is it the driver?), Shortcuts worked with maximised iTunes. Minimised it still doesnt work. Even not with Vlads method (deleting serviceDll and creating new expandable string called ServiceDll with a special value).
Now I downloaded HKTunes.
It seems to be and iTunes with fixed Hotkeys.
Everything works. Shortcuts with minimised and maximised iTunes.
But does it update the normal itunes? Or itself? Should I now use HKTunes instead of iTunes?
Next day.
Now Shortcuts do not work with HKTunes.
Not maximised, not minimised.
W T F D:
hey everyone, the hktunes works great with the new itunes (10.4.0.80!! Thanks to the creators!
Doesn’t work on Win 7 Pro 64-bit, Dell XPS 9100, iTunes 10.4.0.80.
Please please please update this for the latest version of iTunes. It’s a lifesaver and it’s very inconvenient to run another program whenever I open iTunes just to actually use my keyboard!
After a little investigation of HKTunes it is designed to completely replace the iTunes shortcut. It doesn’t run a secondary application when launched in place of iTunes but it does create a problem with iTunes when it maximizes; it is not centered on the screen. The .DLL file that just works with iTunes makes much more sense. HKTunes is cool I agree, but mmKeys kicks it’s butt any day. Please update it. Users of HKTunes if you don’t like the icon hide it somewhere in your computer and edit the target path of the iTunes shortcut to run the HKTunes shortcut. Anyways. Plz update mmKeys. I like it so much more!! :D
Has this been updated for itunes 10.4 yet?
This is not Work with Itunes 10.4.
Any updates?
hkTunes is flagged by AVG, false positive perhaps?
is there any way to make it working with itunes 10.4?
hkTunes only works when the program is in the background and not the main program
it work on 10.4 it only has to be in bg it work mini and maxi mode
mmKeys needs to be REVIVED!! Please bring it back!! Best Plugin ever made for iTunes and we all want it back!!!
mmKeys doesn’t work with iTunes 10.4. I tried downloading it again, restarting computer, and iTunes. Is there an update coming soon?
Works great for me running windows 7 64bit!
Thanks Alot
iTunes 10.4.1 just came out a few hours ago and claims to fix “a problem where the media keys on some third-party keyboards work inconsistently with iTunes” …
Have tried everything suggested on this site / thread and the Media Keys on my Logitech Multi Media Keyboard 600 will not control iTunes 10.4.1.10. The on screen images appear if you press the play/pause, fwd or backward buttons but nothing happens in iTunes. Really frustrating as I often need to pause / play my songs due to the nature of my work. The media keys work fine with Windows Media player 12, but I really don’t want to start using that if at all possible.
Very annoying indeed. It still does not work for me either. That “fix” apparently didn’t fix anything related to the Logitech Mediakeyboard.
Ultra annoying – and not with Microsoft keyboard either (wireless desktop elite). Why break a perfectly good function? In fact, why not have it buil- in in the first place?
Yeah, I can confirm, that with iTunes v10.4.1.10 the mmKeys.dll doesn’t work. I’m waiting for fix! Thanks!
Latest iTunes (v10.4.1) does NOT fix any problems with media keys for Razer Lycosa either. Well done Apple.
Nothing work with my G15, also if itunes is maximized….
Doesnt work on Thermaltake Challenger Pro either.
I can still only use the media keys when iTunes is the front window.
I hope this isnt the ‘fix’..
Hey this doesn’t work with a G15 orange revision ;) and the original Logitech worked before (I think, can’t remember which version exactly) itunes 10.1
DAmn iT!!!!!!!! FIX IT!!!!
Yea, there was an iTunes update that was made to fix problems with iTunes not working with keyboards, I installed that update, but still can’t control my iTunes with my logitch wave keyboard. It only works when iTunes is open and i’m in the window. The hktunes doesn’t work either.
Itunes updated recently to 10.4.1.10 and now this doesnt work, Apple are just fucking with us.
Doesn’t work with iTunes 10.4.1.10, please fix it. I prefer this plugins than HKTunes
wow I have been looking for this for a while now..thanks I will pass this onto my friends too.
Guys i have your solutions With Itunes 10.5 ^^
if you didn’t find a link to download or wants instructions contact me on facebook (Lr jinzo)
thanks jinzo ^^
i downloaded it from the link on your fb wall
thanks again :D
saving the trouble -have not tried it yet https://www.facebook.com/pages/itunes-105/246309925404599-
Guys I tunes is playing music for me all alone! i downloaded it from a site! it says with greater versions! comes great responsibility! i think the guy was uncle Ben!
Here’s the answer for logitech users =)
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16104060#16104060
hope it helps bitches xD
thanks HKTunes link was great along with instructions all up and working again Thanks again mate
We want a work-around. We do not want new software that does the job.
No need to share your life story with us just to tell that you found out how the compatibility function works in Windows 7, my friend.
Anyways, as Raptortime stated above, this link works for Logitech users, I’ve tested it and can confirm it working:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16104060#16104060
Now we need such a thing for Dell XPS 15 users too..
Ah I see the post from the other random guy got deleted..
Still want my multimedia keys to work! Bah.
Pleeease.. someone who’ve got the skills. Please fix the mmKeys.dll for all us who’s using mediakeyboards which isn’t Logitech’s :)
I have a dell xps 15 like majesty… and my multimedia keys dont work with itunes now… any solution?
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[...] used to be a cool dll that you could drop into the iTunes plugins folder and remedy everything. No more — iTunes [...]
Solution for working play/pause key on all media keyboards: drop this into your Startup folder (in the Start Menu).
http://www.leafwood.net/2011/09/29/itunes-media-key-fix/
I see it already got pingbacked, haha.
I’m having problems with my keyboard Razer Lycosa (iTunes 10.4.1.10)