Get your Zune to play nice with Windows Vista

It's been well-established that for some strange reason the Zune doesn't work with Windows Vista -- yet, anyway. (Hey, it's not out yet, ok?) Fortunately for those of you Microsoft überfanboys who suffered much frustration after buying a Zune and trying to install its software on your Vista machine, there's now a solution. While we won't regurgitate the exact step-by-step instructions outlined on MoDaCo, we will tell you that it involves your Zune CD, WinRAR and a MyZune.msi patch. If that method doesn't work for whatever reason, you can always try a similar strategy that Andre de Cavaignac found, which involves Orca (a Microsoft-made disassembler for MSI). As usual, we take no responsibility if either of these methods turns your Zune or your box into a brick, but be sure to let us know in the comments if one of these methods ends up doing the trick.

[Via MAKE: Blog]

Read - MoDaCo
Read - Andre de Cavaignac

[Kaiser Sose @ Nov 22nd 2006 10:44PM]

Suckas!!!! Bill and monkey boy must be laughing their a$$es off!

[Yem @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:18PM]

I can't believe people seriously expect their Zune to support a consumer OS which isn't out yet and isn't even due until next year. (corporate doesn't count).

[bigboy23 @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:25PM]

hahah thats why windows sucks. get an ipod.

[codywatson @ Nov 23rd 2006 10:45AM]

does the iPod support Vista? probably not.

[mike @ Nov 22nd 2006 11:35PM]

I can't believe people seriously expect their Zune to support a consumer OS which isn't out yet and isn't even due until next year. (corporate doesn't count).


----


But... it's just..built on top of XP so...why should... plugging in an external HD device be so hard to do... millions of people are already using VIsta... its backwards compatible...so...

[MarkZ @ Nov 23rd 2006 12:05AM]

What's built on top of XP? Last time I checked XP and Vista were two very different operating systems.

Lol and it DOES work on Vista, I've seen it numerous. Vista retail that is. I don't know what kind of backwards-hick version of Vista you're running.

[Dorsey Coe @ Nov 23rd 2006 12:14AM]

I got your backwards hick version right here: http://mac.web.com/dorseycoe

Play nice now, you can't afford to lose anymore teeth.

[Windows Admin Tools @ Nov 23rd 2006 12:33AM]

I thought you could just right click on the setup file and set it to run in compatibility mode for XP SP2, and it installs and works fine. What is all this crap messing around with the MSI installer?

Steve Wiseman

[rob @ Nov 23rd 2006 12:36AM]

just got a zune today and its sweet but i think ill wait till january for vista

[Jonathan Zencovich @ Nov 23rd 2006 12:45AM]

I find it really interesting and funny that the Zune has issues with working on Vista. Technically, there shouldn't be a problem, as far as I know. Meh w/e

--Jon Z | http://www.jzencovich.com/

[mike @ Nov 23rd 2006 1:01AM]

huh? I'm getting flamed for saying Vista is backwards-compatible with XP? If it wasn't, MS wouldn't sell 10 copies...

[MES @ Nov 23rd 2006 1:40AM]

I got a DVD of Windows Vista release candidate 1. I want to know the difference between XP and Vista before connecting my Zune.

MES - Carcasherdotcom

[Scott @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:52AM]

Wait, people are actually buying Zunes? Don't they know they are paying off Universal Music in the process?

[Jeff @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:57AM]

Vista is out. Are you saying just because I want to use it on my work computer I'm out of luck?

Also, it probably works fine, there's just stupid flag in the program that checks the windows version and only lets it install in XP. I had a couple games that wouldn't install in anything after 98, even though they ran fine in 2000 and XP once they were patched. Same deal here.

Stupid though. Not having it working until after the corporate release and within a month of the consumer release is cutting it pretty damn close.

[Jeff @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:59AM]

I also want to add, just because I can, one of the stupidest version checks ever introduced into a piece of software. Lego Mindstorms, awesome as the product was, absolutely required Quicktime 5. At the time it came out, QT5 was the newest, and was required for the program to work right. However, it wasn't simply "version 5+" it just checked for version 5. I had 6 at the time, and it required me to install a copy of 5. Now that's a lack of foresight.

[liliar @ Nov 23rd 2006 3:31AM]

I am a disgusting spammer: [e-mail]

[tekdroid @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:08AM]

Vista support will come, but will anyone care?

[Zune-Online.com @ Nov 23rd 2006 7:29AM]

You can also check:
http://www.zune-online.com/news/zune/run-zune-on-vista-now.html

It is from Andre de Cavaignac posting plus some comments for beginners.

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 23rd 2006 8:18AM]

Zune?
Vista?

Two things I'd rather read about OTHER people having trouble with.

[george @ Nov 23rd 2006 9:28AM]

You can just run the setup in compatibilty mode and it works fine. I figured this out within 5 minutes after getting mine. Cant believe people are still having problems yet it took me only a couple minutes to come up with a solution.

And the zune interface is great, i have no idea why all the zune bashing happening. Guess people that havent used it are giving it a chance. I didnt buy mine for wifi since i wont use it, i just loved the interface and the fact that you cannot scratch the thing unless you try to.

[tekdroid @ Nov 23rd 2006 5:27PM]

And the zune interface is great, i have no idea why all the zune bashing happening. Guess people that havent used it are giving it a chance.
---------
Or it could be the fact that it doesn't even support Mass Storage mode outta-the-box, among many other restrictions.

[Geir E @ Nov 23rd 2006 10:40AM]

It is just me that find it quite funny that the new mp3 player from Microsoft doesn't directly support the new Os from Microsoft?

Know it isn't officially out yet, but it's wrapped up and they ough to have included a install program because I bet people will install it on computers not connected to the internet later on as well and then it sure must be a bugger when you can't because they didn't supply install software for vista.

[Paul O'Brien @ Nov 23rd 2006 10:49AM]

Compatability mode for the setup didn't work for me, DEP killed it as soon as it launched.

P

[Dave95 @ Nov 23rd 2006 12:23PM]

iPod is not a Microsoft Product, Zune and Vista is. Consumers who bought a Zune already have to be connected to the internet to install the first firmware update because I guess it was rushed out the door.

But besides all of that, what really irks me is that deal with Universal (RIAA). If the Zune becomes anywhere near success, more leverage Universal and the others have to request the same deal from Apple, Samsung and other hardware makers. More leverage to raise the price on downloads from the software companies, which will affect us consumers.

[LPD @ Nov 23rd 2006 12:28PM]

Microsoft site states they will have it working with Vista soon. I believe there will be a Zune software update (to address Vista and lots of other issues) and a firmware upgrade BEFORE Christmas.

[Corey @ Nov 23rd 2006 2:44PM]

There is no data, only Zune.

[Matt @ Nov 23rd 2006 4:31PM]

the orca trick worked for me!!!! finally i can use my zune on vista rc2

[dnaserv @ Nov 24th 2006 12:41AM]

Yeah, Vista actually prompts you to run in compatibility mode. I am actually using XP drivers on Vista for my sound, modem, in fact, all of my hardware. Plus, Zune is a mass storage drive (but you do have to mess with the registry). I have one, and I love it. I was considering an iPod, but i hated the interface. The Zune interface is much nicer; I wish the bashers would try something before they blow it off. Plus, I think that the mass storage hack lets you upload DRMed stuff (possibly from Media Player).

[liliar @ Nov 24th 2006 1:29AM]

I am a disgusting spammer: [e-mail]

[david @ Nov 25th 2006 7:21PM]

Zune software 1.2 has vista support. I am running the beta now, and it works great. The install was very smooth and stable. I do not know when they are releasing it. You need Vista RTM (6000) or later.