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!
If you press play and it brings up WMP thats because itunes is not set as the default media player. Make sure to open the task manager and under processes end the ituneshelper process. I have also found that alot of HP keyboards dont like to work with itunes. When i had an HP keyboard i used a different method with the same results… control of itunes. If anyone is having trouble and/or needs the alternate method email me at Bluelotuspyro@gmail.com.
Cheers m8
Beautiful. Works perfectly in XP Pro. Thank you!
nice work man
great help
Thanks!! awesome!!! Works in Vista home x64
Wow, awesome! This has to be the easiest and most convenient fix! Thanks so much
this is great it works in Windows 7 BETA and RC (x32)
Hmmm it didn’t work for me =) i don’t understand what i did wrong..
Works perfectly, Vista Home x64
Hertzlich Danke..
O_o Too bad it doesn’t work with my keyboard BlueStork White. Anyway I think I’v done all what is written. sorry for my bad english i’m fr)
Nice! Worked like a charm!
Where do you put the dll file if you’re running windows 7?
Great! This is awesome. Works perfectly with Vista x64. Thanks!!!!!!
thaaankuuu :D:D:D:D
ur a maadog
This works with Windows 7 (keys will work with iTunes in the background). However, after the first time iTunes is minimized, it won’t work again until iTunis is closed and re-opened. Any ideas why?
Great Job! it worked perfectly!
the plugin works well for the most part but is there anyway to stop itunes from popping up when it is minimized to the system tray?? it works fine when i skip tracks but if i press play/pause it pops up.
Works a treat, thanks
perfect plugin. thx a lot !
Thank you for this info.
I just installed Windows 7 RC 64-bit on my desktop and lost my media keys functionality when iTunes was minimized.
This solved it =)
lol thanks!
it works for vista x32. all you have to do is restart itunes after you put it in the folder, which is apparently not visible. just search it in the search bar and then follow the instructions.
Perfect! I looked for a solution for so long, I tried writing up my own script and I was ready to give up until I found this. I’m on a Vaio FW-390 with Vista Home Premium 64-bit.
For those whose computers it’s not working on- make sure ituneshelper.exe is closed – do this from task manager.
That’s what worked for my hp laptop
Omg works with my HP laptop quicktouch!
thanks so much.
btw there is a lil lag after pressing play/pause but its not bad
I must say, this is an AMAZING little plug-in. I have been drving myself crazy trying to figure out my MultiMedia Keyboard to Itunes issue. Its quick, simple, and highly effective! Tyvm!
amazing solution wow
does not support iTunes 8.2….
your the best, it works even in Windows 7!
and, yes it does support the latest itunes!
it stopped working for me all the sudden.
For iTunes 8.2 you may need to create the ‘Plug-ins’ folder yourself in the iTunes directory. Definitely works, using Dell Inspiron 9400.
Yay! It works in Windows 7 (64 bit). Solved a big annoyance for me. I didn’t have any problem with iTunes is minimized.
Brilliant solution. Works on iTunes 8.2 running Vista with my Vaio keyboard. Many thanks.
Didnt work for me. I done everything. copy the dll to “C:Usersyour_usernameAppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunesiTunes Plug-ins”, “set as the default media player”, “end the ituneshelper process” , “For iTunes 8.2 you may need to create the ‘Plug-ins’ folder yourself in the iTunes directory”
can some1 help? I am using a HP Keyboard with window vista
HOW DO YOU IMPORT A CD ON AN HP WITH KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS!? my mouse is broken and i can only use the keyboard!
holy crap this work really fine, thanks you; recommended pluging, it just save you from downloading other stuff…works fine on dell studio..
been after something liek this for ages. Well done that man woman boy!
Thanks again :)
This does not work with the Saitek Eclipse II.
Thanks a lot for this fix. I just upgraded to Vista Home Premium and it was super annoying to have to focus on iTunes before my keyboard media buttons would work. Great find!
It doesn’t work for me. I am using Win XP Pro SP3, a Toshiba Satellite A100 and iTunes 8.2. I have copied mmkeys.dll to C:Program FilesiTunesPlug-insmmkeys.dll (I had to create the Plug-ins folder) and the media keys on my built-in keyboard keep starting WMP and not controlling iTunes, even though the default music app and the Toshiba control app both point to iTunes. Ah well.
thanks, works great
vista x64 sp1
Ohh, works!! xD
Really thanks!
Great find – works perfectly! Now if I could bind the volume knob to change the rating :)
Thx allot mate :)
Michael, in reply to binding the volume knob to set a rating, have a look at the latest post! FAQ: Bind Volume knob to iTunes star rating.
That is a wonderful and simple fix – many thanks
Ohhh!!! ti’s great, thkz!!!
it works, but there’s one annoying thing that it causes. Whenever I press the pause, stop, forward, or reverse keys on my keyboard it opens up a window from “Clean Access Agent” as well, a program that is a requisite for internet where i am.