Using the Various Parts of the iTunes Window

4 of 11 in Series: The Essentials of Setting Up and Playing Content in iTunes

To use iTunes efficiently, you need to become familiar with the various parts, panes, and panels of the iTunes window. Various panes and buttons comprise the iTunes window.

The following figure shows the iTunes window on a PC running Windows XP, using the Browse pane to browse by artist.

View the iTunes window on a PC in Browse view.

This figure shows the iTunes window on a Mac, using the Browse pane to browse by artist.

View the iTunes window on a Mac with the cover browser open.

The components of the iTunes window are as follows:

• Source pane: Displays the source of content, now handily divided into four sections: Library, Store, Devices, and Playlists.

• Cover browser: Also called Cover Flow, the cover browser lets you flip through your cover art to choose songs.

• List pane and Browse pane: Depending on the source that’s selected in the Source pane under Library, Store, Devices, or Playlists, these two panes display a list of the content in your library or a list of Web radio stations; the content available in the iTunes Store; the tracks of a music CD or the entire library on your iPod or iPhone; or the Party Shuffle list or any one of your playlists.

• MiniStore pane: This pane makes suggestions for what to get from the iTunes Store based on what you’re listening to.

• View buttons: The three buttons in the upper-right corner change your view of the List and Browse panes to show items in a list, grouped with cover art, or displayed with the cover browser.

• Browse button: The Browse button at the lower-right corner of the window toggles between Browse view and the List pane by itself.

• tatus pane: When a song, audio book, radio station, podcast, or video is playing, the artist name, piece title (if known), and elapsed time display in this pane.

• Search field: Type in this field to search your library. You can also use the Search field to peruse a playlist or to look within the iTunes Store.

• Player buttons — Forward/Next, Play/Pause, and Previous/Rewind: Use these buttons to control the playback of content in iTunes.

• Playlist buttons — Add, Shuffle, and Repeat: Use these buttons to add playlists and shuffle or repeat playback of playlists.

• Volume control: You can change the volume level in iTunes by dragging the volume control slider in the upper-left section of the iTunes window.

• Show/Hide Artwork button: Use this button to display or hide artwork (either your own or the artwork supplied with purchased songs and videos).

• Eject button: Clicking the Eject button ejects a CD or an iPod or iPhone.

• Speakers pop-up menu: Use this pop-up menu in the lower-right corner of the iTunes window to select a different speaker system than the computer’s speakers.