How to stop iTunes from launching when using Keyboard media keys

My temporary hack to stop it until Apple gives us a choice to disable this PITA feature.

Paste this into Apple Script Editor, compile it make sure there are no errors and save it as an App. When launched it simply asks you to enable or disable iTunes from launching by changing the execute permission. It stops iTunes from launching and the only thing you get when the play/pause button is pressed is a dock bounce and a console error.

display dialog "Do you want to enable or disable iTunes?" buttons {"Enable", "Disable"} default button 1
if button returned of result is "Disable" then
do shell script "chmod -x /Applications/iTunes.app" with administrator privileges
else
do shell script "chmod +x /Applications/iTunes.app" with administrator privileges
end if

Same issue here and really annoying one I might add.
Just wanted to add one more post so we can get an official response soon!!!

Message was edited by: AngelKalel

Thanks Michael, this is the best temporary hack yet!

Spoke to retail store guy today - said he loves the feature, but he agreed they should provide a way to turn it off.

Of course it's happening to me too. The Leopard upgrade seems to have taken away a very cool and easy feature. Hopefully they will hear our voices and make the necessary changes. There is some person in California who didn't think it through very well. Hope there is a pay cut involved.

I got so sick of this that I made a fix. It's a fairly ugly workaround, but hopefully it'll tide me over until Apple realize that this "feature" has to go. It works by preventing iTunes from launching if Spotify is open. (You can't even launch it manually, unfortunately, but as soon as you quit Spotify you are fine again.)

This seems to work with iTunes 8 and 9, although you'll need to redo the patch after upgrading. Needless to say, if this wrecks your system I'm not to be held responsible.

Open a Terminal and type the following

cd /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS
sudo mv iTunes iTunesX
sudo curl http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~app26/itunes/iTunes -O
sudo chmod uog+x iTunes

You'll have to type your password after the second step. Hope this helps some people.

That's the slickest workaround yet, Andrew -- good one. That's what I'll use until Apple decides to give us a checkbox somewhere to fix this.

I've modified Andrew's script a bit, to allow for multiple applications to block iTunes. So if you have, say, both Spotify and Songbird on your system and you want iTunes to interfere with neither, then this is for you. To install my version, follow Andrew's directions and replace his link with mine: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~dmonner/iTunes

If you want to add or modify the applications that block iTunes, just edit new the "iTunes" file on the line that starts "apps = ", adding in the names of any apps who should prevent iTunes from running when they themselves are running.

I have come up with another workaround for this pathetic attempt at whatever it is they are trying to do. It is much more simple than a script.

I created an empty track that lasts over an hour. I tagged it so that it shows up in the beginning of my library. At least now, when iTunes launches on me, or when it is open and I don't know it, I get an hour before I hear anything. I may just duplicate this file a dozen times so I have a few days before I have to deal with this PITA "feature"

I've uploaded the file to sendspace so you can grab it. It is a blank track, there is no need to worry about copyright infringement, I give you permission to trade this track freely and post the link wherever you wish.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ff4uy

If you can find a way to make sure this is at the top of the file by improving file name, please let me know.

Enjoy the silence!

The issue extends to other remotes controlling your system. I have a Logitech Harmony One universal remote that is now opening itunes when I hit play/pause after the 10.6.0 update (the 10.6.1 update did not address the issue). Tried to updated the firmware of the remote with no lock I hit the forums.

With all the programs available that could use the apple remote (or other brands) why would apple decide to default them to open itunes? I can deal with a default to that but at lease give me the option to disable it.

Glad and disappointed to learn that I'm not the only one with this issue. I'll keep the itunes store open until a fix is made.

iTunes chews up too much cpu when I try to use a Mac Mini to display EyeTV on a 1080p system. Its barely able to push the frame rate, at 720p not a problem but...kiss is good. Mira switches between boxee, eyetv, hulu and plex.

I discovered the same issue last night trying to use my Harmony One remote (and Apple Remote). I can't stop iTunes from launching and playing automatically. Does anyone know if 10.6.1 fixes this? I'll try the update later tonight. If it doesn't work, I'm going back to Leopard 10.5.8 (which was working great to begin with).

I would also like to see an option to turn off this "feature" in 10.6... so please add me to the list.

If iTunes is not running I don't want the play button to launch it.

This is so annoying, I can't believe apple didn't make it an option or preference somewhere.

I agree and want Apple to fix this immediately. I want a software update ASAP.

I use Spotify and like to use the keys.