How to Prepare Your Computer for Zune

by Isaiah Turning

Chris Polk/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Before you install the Zune software and connect your Zune player to your computer for the first time, it's a good practice to prepare your computer for the Zune program and player. The Zune player and partner Zune software are both easy to set up and use, but without preparing your computer first, you could run into unexpected problems that will interfere with your experience. It's simple and only takes a few minutes to review your computer and prepare it for using the Zune, ensuring that you get the best possible experience.

Step 1

Check your computer specifications to ensure your system hardware and configuration supports the Zune software needed to sync media items with the Microsoft Zune player. The Zune software requires Windows XP with service pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OSX with Bootcamp running Windows 7, Vista or XP. You must also have at least 256 megabytes of RAM and a minimum of 200 megabytes of space available on your hard drive.

Step 2

Condense your media into as few folders as possible. The Zune software searches your computer for media and for folders to monitor for newly added media. The Zune software takes less time to search when your media items are condensed into fewer folders.

Step 3

Download and install the Zune software from the official Zune website. Download the 32-bit software if your computer is a 32-bit system or the 64-bit software if your system is 32-bit. The Zune software is not compatible with 64-bit versions of Windows XP.

Step 4

Connect your Zune player with your computer and run the Zune software. Set up the initial configuration for your Zune player and sync options. After you perform the initial setup, your computer and Zune software retains your settings and automatically syncs the media from your computer to your Zune player.

Tip

  • Explore the Zune software to learn about the extensive options the software provides for managing and maintaining your media collection.

About the Author

Isaiah Turning is a freelance writer living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. In his three-year career, Turning has written computer and technology articles for a number of websites, most recently eHow.com.

Photo Credits

  • Chris Polk/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images