Zune software v1.2 today, adds Vista compatibility

We thought it was a teensy bit unfair for everyone to harsh on the Zuners for not having full Vista compatibility at launch when Vista isn't even really out yet for consumers for another month or so. That said, the Zune team is adding Vista support today in a 22MB update that also claims to fixes bugs, improve the installation process (thank god), and hopefully generally help keep the loathing of Zune to a minimum. Now we're wondering if we'd have had as much trouble with firmware v1.2 yesterday if we'd have waited for software v1.2, too.

P.S. -Update goes live at 10:00AM PST, set your downloaders for stun.

[Rip @ Dec 19th 2006 12:16PM]

RIP Death from Above 1979!

[y2julio @ Dec 19th 2006 12:30PM]

huh? i just bought my Zune yesterday and it updated my Zune already to v1.2

[sergeij freud @ Dec 19th 2006 12:42PM]

what is a zune?

[LPD @ Dec 19th 2006 12:44PM]

Engadget seems to be the only ones having problems with the 1.2 firmware.

[Jonhimslf @ Dec 19th 2006 12:53PM]

Woooo DFA 1979!

[Alex Padilla @ Dec 19th 2006 12:56PM]

I'm seriously thinking about getting a Zune, even though I'm content with my 1G iPod nano (4GB). I like the fact that it plays video. Once they fix some problems with it and give it more functionality, I shall purchase one with a smile on my face.

[Keef @ Dec 19th 2006 1:04PM]

Im going to get a zune after christmas, they look cool, and my friend has had no problems with the software unlike my Sony MP3 player.......UGH.....

[Ed @ Feb 28th 2007 6:29PM]

Yeah I been thinking of upgrading my Sansa to a Zune.... why would you get a Sony mp3 player for? ugh...

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2006 1:10PM]

I'm seriously thinking about buying a Creative Zen Vision:M. It's cheaper, and it plays DivX. Plus, if for some reason I wanted to buy or rent DRMd music, I have more than one option.

[DM @ Dec 19th 2006 2:02PM]

That is a good choice. You won't be disappointed. I know it , because i own one.

[glacia00 @ Dec 19th 2006 1:13PM]

"We thought it was a teensy bit unfair for everyone to harsh on the Zuners" Wait, wasn't that you?

If 'Cult of Mac' writer Leander Kahney can do a u-turn after trashing the Zune months before it came out to now writing an article entitled "In Praise of the Zune" perhaps even Engadget will come around eventually and stop bashing it just for the sake of stirring up argument.

Since I'm not bashing it I guess I have to add that I don't work for MS since that appears to be the typical response to any post that doesn't trash Zune.

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2006 1:14PM]

Definately getting one...just a matter of time. I'll probably wait till they announce downloadable TV shows, Movies and videos. It would be great if the Zune worked with Xbox Live Downloads so I don't even have to touch my PC to load it.

[Adam T. @ Dec 19th 2006 1:31PM]

So, the zune update let me download the actual app, but when I try to open it, it still says Vista not supported... Come on, M$!

[freddie_boss @ Dec 19th 2006 1:42PM]

where can i find the update?

[drum-heavy @ Dec 19th 2006 1:50PM]

It is 1:50pm EST here, and the zune site still won't let me download the software. (I have vista) Anyone else having problems?

[DM @ Dec 19th 2006 2:03PM]

Let me rephrase that. Creative zen vision m is the best choice out there.

[Bon @ Dec 19th 2006 2:34PM]

When They Will patch for the Spanish Version? :P

[Joel Johnson @ Dec 19th 2006 2:46PM]

The direct link to the software is http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/8/5/58555b76-c739-442a-91ed-f9c650df70bc/ZuneSetup.exe in case you can't get the redirect link to take you to the download.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2006 2:49PM]

sweet! finally Microsoft releases some Windows-compatible software!

[Tim @ Dec 19th 2006 2:54PM]

I'm getting the same "OS not supported" message. Could be that it only runs on the final release seeing as I'm running RC2. Anyone have any luck?

[Joel Johnson @ Dec 19th 2006 5:34PM]

The software is looking for a specific version of a DLL used by Windows Media Player. If you are running a release canidate then you will not have the necessary version.

[hchute @ Dec 19th 2006 3:03PM]

It's compatible with the English version of Windows® Vista, or (as before):
- Windows XP Home, Professional, or Tablet PC Edition with Service Pack 2,
- Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2 and Oct. 2006 Update Rollup.

[Ivanna @ Dec 19th 2006 3:27PM]

Does anyone know how to add movies or videos to the Zune? I have one but I keep trying and no success.

[Joel Johnson @ Dec 19th 2006 10:19PM]

Ivanna, it's hard to answer your question on getting movies on the Zune without knowing a few things such as where you are getting your movies from (internet, DVDs, so on). If you go to http://ZuneInsider.com you'll find links to other Zune sites, many of which have forums. Ask a question in one of them and your are bound to get an answer that will lead you to success.

[drum-heavy @ Dec 19th 2006 3:30PM]

Thanks for the link Joel! It's running fine on my vista machine now (listening to Coffin builder by DH....)

[disciple83 @ Dec 19th 2006 5:35PM]

Demon Hunter FTW!

[Zunebearpig @ Dec 19th 2006 4:32PM]

The software will only install on Vista RTM (any SKU), i.e. build 6000. RCs are not supported unfortunately.

[Deal @ Dec 19th 2006 4:58PM]

Am I the only one that realizes the difference between software and firmware updates?

[paco montano @ Dec 19th 2006 6:01PM]

all this pro-zune comments 'i will get it with a smile on tha face' or 'all the girls drool over me as I take my great brown zune out of my pants' - they have a great zombie-like quality as if comming from one big mould. M$ Paying the bloggies? Five points for any comment published, something like that? But as the saying goes: you can fool some of the people some of the time ...

[Farris @ Dec 19th 2006 5:29PM]

Who the heck said anything like that?

[glacia00 @ Dec 19th 2006 5:36PM]

I wondered when someone would stumble in with that tired mindless rehash. Since you're the one going out of their way to post about a product you'll never consider buying where does your zombie-like quality come from? Don't like it don't buy it and no one will miss you...

[paco montano @ Dec 19th 2006 6:01PM]

well my little zombie nerds,

just wait some time and google 'zune' and 'girl' or even 'ass' - and find out what a nice brown zune can do, what the heck indeed. Or read any blog or comment - at amazon for instance, when the installation goes like a breeze, when everything is fine and sure, we will trade our nasty ipod anytime soon an do our nerdy socialistic all time. Comments that are easy to find on amazon when you scan for reviews that nobody finds helpful. You can almost hear the instruction 'now if you write this, we will give you five of our great points, my friend.' Little fantasy, a lot of laziness - but one can fool oneself for all eternety of course

[Pete @ Dec 19th 2006 6:18PM]

paco,

I see that the Zune is being outsold by a couple of digital picture frames of all things on Amazon.com. I didn't think anyone even bought those things so the Zune must be doing really well .... pause ................................................not!!

[glacia00 @ Dec 19th 2006 6:23PM]

riiight... That's paco, off his meds and the deep end. I think we've found the source of those long rambling nonsensical spam emails.

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2006 6:17PM]

Just won a Zune Off ebay for $200, not bad. It'll go well with my 3 Ipods...

[iGotNoTime @ Dec 19th 2006 8:44PM]

If you recall the ipod didn't exactly fly off the shelf the first 12 months it was out either. Not until they started build a fanboi base with the ever-so-wanna-be elitists.

You don't like Zune, so what? Carry on with your ipod (it is afterall the only thing Apple has done right). Best said in the link below.

"One thing that is sure to never go away is the self-righteous attitude these cultists have. They somehow think they are better than others because they are willing to pay more for inferior products. Stick an Apple logo on a Zune and add $50 to the price and they will buy it in droves."

And that can be seen all the way over in Thailand!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2NACIQH1P8J01/ref=cm_pdp_profile_reviews/102-1553031-7760161

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2006 11:46PM]

I have Vista RC1 and cannot install the Zune software as well. I spoke with their tech support and they are looking into the issue. If anyone hears anything let me know.

[skip jack @ Dec 20th 2006 12:20AM]

So I don't own either an iPod or a Zune, and I own a PC, not a big mac fan, but let me just say this:
The Zune is actually a rebadged Toshiba Gigabeat, so really all MS had to get right is the SW, and there seem to be nothing but problems with the SW (on this site and others)! Also, what's with the whole point thing, talk about making it harder on your customers, why not just have people pay for their songs with money?

[iGotNoTime @ Dec 20th 2006 7:07AM]

I don't how anyone is saying it is a "rebadged" anything. Current (only on 1.2 again) firmware aside no other PMP has the hardware or capability of the prospect of what the wifi "could" be, or am I wrong?

In terms of dimensions and style, yes a gigabeat for sure. Have you seen the screen? It is gorgeous. That and the wifi is what sold me on it. I am not nearly as concerned as the others seem to be on the firmware, it is just a baby yet I am sure in time...

Not a total fan yet (certainly a believer though) I do have my concerns. It currently does not have any support for Thai language (any Asian language for that matter) yet. But then again very few do, and even fewer that are legitimate updates OEM most are merely hacks. The wi-fi will certainly open up at least for the non-drm files they will have to or surely it will just be hacked. For now though considering it is merely a fledgling, I am very impressed but certainly awaiting my issues to be addressed. :)

[Brian @ Dec 20th 2006 2:09AM]

This does NOT work with Vista RC1.

This software must support the retail version of Vista which will be released at the end of January.

Woe is me :( I'm running Vista RC1 as the sole OS on my rig.

[Brian @ Dec 20th 2006 2:14AM]

CONFIRMED:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928250/en-us?sd=zune

*Operating System Not Supported*

"
This behavior occurs when you try to install the Zune software on a computer that is running a pre-release version or a beta version of Windows Vista.

Zune is a consumer product, and as such we have timed our support around the consumer availability of Vista. When the consumer edition of Vista is available to the public, Zune will be compatible with all Windows Vista SKUs, including the Enterprise edition. In terms of the Enterprise version, it will be up to individual companies and enterprise managers to allow internal users to access their Zune software via PCs linked to the enterprise.
"

[Nick James @ Dec 21st 2006 7:50PM]

It says Vista is supported on the download page now, but it's still saying I'm not running a compatible OS. Very odd, and very strange. If someone has it working (for Vista x86), could you e-mail me the MSI or EXE (I forgot which one it is) to [e-mail] ? I will put it up on my server for all the other people with Vista having problems.

[Telesophic @ Dec 26th 2006 4:29PM]

Right, so now you need an update to your Zune to play with Vista. Except how are you going to load the update if all you have is Vista??? Or are all the Zunes currently on the shelf gonna magically update themselves in a couple months when Vista is the only OS you can buy on a new PC?

[Valerie @ Jun 19th 2007 6:35PM]

Ok... I've been having some problems!

Does the Zune work with Windows Media Player 11?

Where can I get movies & music videos for my Zune?

Where (other than ZUNE MARKETPLACE) can I get music?

Does Zune MarketPlace have movies & music videos?

HELP!
Thank you. (:

[josh @ Jul 14th 2007 12:53AM]

sony mp3 players were the shit guys