If you’ve used Windows Media Player before you may have noticed that when you minimize it a mini-player in your Windows taskbar will appear. Believe it or not, similar functionality exists in iTunes. I’ll show you how to enable the taskbar player for iTunes.

Firstly, open up the iTunes Preferences under the “Edit” menu. In the preferences window that appears go to the “Advanced” tab. Find the option Minimize iTunes window to system tray and make sure it is unchecked.

Make your way down to the Windows taskbar. Right-click the taskbar, go to “Toolbars” and click on iTunes. Now whenever you minimize iTunes the taskbar player will appear, giving you limited control of your music without having to maximize iTunes.

NOTE: Using the iTunes taskbar player in Windows Vista will disable the taskbar transparency.