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]
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!
Works for me on iTunes 8.0.1.11 and Vista on my Dell Laptop 1420. Thanks!
Hey!! just what i’d been looking for!! thanks so much! just have to restart iTunes and it all works fine!!!! yay
I’ve been using mmkeys for about half a year now and it’s been working fine up until recently. With the new release the controls will work while itunes is minimized but not while I have a game running maximized on screen. I am running iTunes version# 8.0.1.11 with a dell multimedia keyboard model# SK-8135. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
WORKS WITH WINDOWS 7! Use Vista Instructions and you will be fine!!!!
ITunes window maximizes, but that isnt too bad…
Ah, much appreciated. Been looking for this for a long time.
Works fantastic- I love you right now. Thanks a million!
Amazing. Thanks!!
Good man!
Works excellent! I’m most impressed!
you are a godsend. It’s been soo annoying trying to work without the my QuickPlay buttons. Now all I have to do is find a way to silence them. I’m in the library a lot and I feel uncomfortable with the beep that they make whenever I change a song.
This plug-in is exactly what I was looking for. Works like a charm. Thanks!
thanks!!perfect!!
[...] Do you wish it could control iTunes while in a game? Here is your answer all in one small post at Everything iTunes instructions after the [...]
Thanks worked .. linking on my blog
I have v 8.0.2.20, running Windows XP on a dell laptop… and this plugin doesn’t work. I put it in the Plug-Ins folder… Anything I’m missing?
damm doesn’t work under wine on ubuntu. (admittedly that would probably be a wine bug though)
thanks, works perfect.
Thank you so much, I’ve been looking all over for a solution and almost gave up. It’s working really well now.
I’m Running windows vista home premium and it worked perfectly. i put it in “C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins” then i restarted itunes. and it worked.
You da man!! works for xp pro like a charm! Awesome!!! Dell wanted me to pay 60 dollars for this problem you should start running them competition :~)
Thanks a bunch! Works great!
Works great!!! It was so annoying having to switch to the iTunes window everytime, and more importantly having 4 useless keyboard buttons!
(Windows Vista Home Premium, iTunes 8.02.20)
Merci beaucoup, ça fonctionne parfaitement ! ;-)
works great! Thank you.
Just curious on anyone else computer, when you press play/pause does it maximizes itunes? I ask because it does for mine. I can go forward and backwards with no problem.
I have Vista Business with a MS Digital Media Pro keyboard
Thanks, man.
I have a HP laptop and i couldn’t get my quicktouch buttons to work with iTunes, when it was minimized.
This tip was really helpful. Works perfectly!
Omg thank alot rlly works.
great, work very well
works like a tit, tnx!
Wow, I finally found one that works without installing another program to run, MANY MANY THANKS you’ve probably saved my life..<3
I made a folder called iTunes-Plugins on my computer, added the file and it doesn’t work. Do I have to make folder with Apple Computer in it? Or is that just for Macs? If so, how do I make a folder like that?
Guys, look in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\HidServ\Parameters
Then delete the ServiceDll string (you might not have one) and manually create an EXPANDABLE string value called ServiceDll with the value %SystemRoot%\System32\hidserv.dll.
It will fix the problem not only with iTunes, but in all applications.
absolutely perfect. thanks so much!!
[...] MMKeys [...]
Nice – works perfectly
BEAUTIFUL!!!! I always wondered why they haven’t made it work like this by default! Doesn’t matter, now I don’t need to take off my hands away from the keyboard while programming or writing other stuff to change song :) THANKS
Thanks man! this thing works like a charm :D
Works with Itunes 8.0.2.20
Works on windows 7
you’re a lifesaver!!
I had the mmkeys.dll, and it just stopped working with the last update. Nothing on here worked, until I tried Vlad’s registry edit. Worked great! Thank You.
Thanks for this fix, it works wonderfully.
brilliant.
I’ve been irate over this for a year now. Works great! Keep on doin what you do. Thanks
worked perfectly in iTunes 8.0.1!
thanks
remember to create a Plug-ins folder manually.
I’m running Vista 64 with a Saitek Eclipse II keyboard, this fix worked for me! ITunes is my friend again. Thank you!
Just a reminder – RESTART ITUNES AFTER PUTTING IT IN THE FOLDER! Spent ages trying to figure out why it didn’t work – just a simple restart. Might want to add that to the instructions.
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RESTART ITUNES!!!
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THANKS VRY MUCH!!!im a gamer with a saitek eclipse II keyboard. can now change songs in-game works great tnx.
You’re awesome man…Thanks…It’s working charmingly….
[...] mmkeys.dll [...]
You are a savior! Thank you soo much! Works perfectly with my Saitek Eclipse 2 Keyboard
Thank you. Works perfectly with my wireless keyboard (model KBR0108) that came with my Advent T11.
I have Vista. Worked great. Thanks man.