Since I’ve had to get used to using iTunes sometimes, because I own an iPod, I thought I would at least try to get along with iTunes. iTunes is just one of those programs that can be annoying at times.

I found this out when I realized there was a toolbar for the iTunes, but it just didn’t seem to work like Windows Media Player’s did. Was this a bug? Unfinished feature? I had no idea and eventualy just gave up.

If you don’t know about this feature and you have iTunes, right click on the taskbar and move your cursor to Toolbars and you’ll see in the list that appears, that iTunes is there. Click on it and try to use it. I’m going to assume that it won’t work for you either if you try to minimize iTunes.

It turns out that the feature does work, but because of a setting in iTunes, it won’t work, yet. You know how when you minimize iTunes and it automatically goes to the system tray? Well, that is the setting that is preventing the toolbar from appearing. You need to disable minimizing to the system tray in order for the toolbar to appear.

To disable this setting:

1. Go to Edit>Preferences
2. Select the Advanced tab
3. Uncheck Minimize iTunes window to system tray
4. Click OK
5. Optional: If you don’t want the iTunes icon in the system tray when open, be sure to uncheck Show iTunes icon in system tray

Now minimize the iTunes window and the toolbar should appear in the taskbar.

Between Windows Media Player and iTunes, Windows Media Player definitely looks better in the taskbar, especially in Vista. But, for those times you need or want to use iTunes, this toolbar can be handy.