To start using your Zune, first get the latest version of the Zune software for your computer. Then charge your Zune and load it up with your music, videos, pictures, podcasts, and friends.
You can sign up for a Zune account during installation. With your Zune account, you'll be able to get new music at Zune Marketplace and join the Zune Social, our online music community.
Charge the battery on your Zune
Connect your Zune to your computer. Use a rear USB port if possible for the best charge. You can connect it using the sync cable (supplied with your Zune) or the Zune dock (sold separately).
You might need to wait a few minutes after plugging in your Zune while the battery charges enough to start.
Set up Zune on your computer
When your Zune turns on, the Zune software will take you through the setup process.
Accept the update.
You'll be prompted for an update to guarantee that your Zune gets all the latest features. When the update is complete, your Zune will restart by itself.
Name your Zune.
When you have wireless on, you'll be "visible" to other Zune owners nearby, and the name you give your Zune is the name they'll see.
Link your Zune to your Zune Tag.
A Zune Tag is a name that represents you in the Social. On the naming screen, you have the option to link your Zune to a Zune Tag. If you created a Zune account at any point before or during installation, you'll already have a Zune Tag. If you don't have one, you'll have a chance to create one if you want.
Link your Zune with your computer.
When you link your Zune with your computer, your music, pictures, videos, games, podcasts, and friends are automatically synced to your Zune, according to the preferences you set, every time you connect it.
You can use your Zune with as many computers as you want, but it can only be linked with one at a time. Linking with another computer clears the sync relationships, or sync groups, that you've established on your original computer.
If you don't want to link your Zune, you can connect to a computer as a guest. With a guest connection you can still sync, just not automatically. Items must be added and deleted individually from your Zune when you want to make changes.
Choose what to sync.
Decide what gets added to your Zune and what gets skipped every time you connect to your computer. You have different options depending on the media: sync everything; Items I choose; or sync only the individual items you select. For details, see Sync Options.
Fill up your Zune.
The last step is syncing your music, videos, pictures, channels, podcasts, and friends to your Zune. Depending on the storage capacity of your Zune and the amount of stuff you have, this could take a while. If you just want to add your music and worry about the other stuff later, choose Sync all music and leave everything else Manual sync.
