Enable Copy and Transfer of Data with Zune to Use as Portable Hard Disk
Similar to Apple iPod, Zune restricts or limits user ability to copy, transfer, upload or download of files, especially songs, musics, MP3s and videos between Zune and computer to protect the copyrights and reduce piracy. However, with a little trick and registry hack, you can enable visibility of Zune player in Windows system with limited hard disk support.
- Make sure your Zune is not plugged in and your Zune software isn’t running.
- Open up regedit by going to the start menu and selecting “run”. Type regedt32 and hit “OK”.
- Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Enum\USB\.
- Search for “PortableDeviceNameSpace”. This should be contained in the “Vid_####&Pid_####\########_-_########_-_########_-_########\Device Parameters” within the above …\USB\ registry key. Note that the ### symbols above is the numbers and letters specific to your Zune.
- Change the following values:
* EnableLegacySupport to 1
* PortableDeviceNameSpaceExcludeFromShell to 0
* ShowInShell to 1 - Plug in your Zune, and make sure the Zune Software starts up.
- Open up “My Computer” and browse your device. The Zune does not show up with a drive letter. Just simply browse the contents, directories and files inside Zune with Windows Explorer.
Remember to backup the above-mentioned registry keys before making any modifications or editing. After the hack, you should be able to copy, transfer or download (or upload) files, musics, videos, songs and etc from Zune to your PC by drag and drop or copy and paste, just like when you’re using an external portable hard disk. You will still be able to synchronize or sync through Zune Software too (this is still the way to copy files to Zune, see below).
You can perform task to delete the files on Zune directly after patching. However, you cannot copy or transfer the files onto Zune directly. If you try to upload or send a file to Zune directly via My Computer or Windows Explorer, you will see this error message dialog: “Cannot Copy File – could not be placed on the device. You do not have permission to create this item.”.
To copy or transfer or upload files to the Zune, you have the use the following trick. Either you sync your files to the Zune by using Zune software, or you can syncing a large file, and half way into the process, shut down the Zune software. In this case, the relationship between PC and Zune player will always stay in ’sync’ mode, and you can now copy or transfer over as much files as you want.
Related Articles
- Increase and Speed Up Slow FireWire 1394 Copy and Transfer in Windows XP SP2
- Copy or Transfer Music and Songs from iPod to PC and Computer without iTunes
- Bypass and Remove 3 Plays or 3 Days Restriction on Zune WiFi Sharing
- Export, Copy and Transfer Hotmail Contacts to Gmail, Outlook or Another Account
- Sexy and Sociable Zune 8 and Zune Social Online Community
- Microsoft Zune Player Price at $249.99 to Release in November with Zune Marketplace Store
- Slow File and Folder Copy, Move, Transfer or Delete Operation Speed Problem in Vista Fix
- Disk Space Analyzer Scans and Displays Hard Disk Data Details
- Zune Device Diagnostic Tool Version 1.0
- Buffalo DriveStation HD-HXU3 SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive With Up To 625 MB/s Transfer Rate
Entries (RSS)
September 18th, 2009 12:22
I’m doing as same as Pat and it worked, saw his post after spent hours to get it work
. Select all songs from the device – right-click select the (Copy to my collection) option. I’ve cleared my collection out first but you don’t have to. This will copy all songs from the Zune device to the Zune Folder (C:\User\….\Music\Zune) at the Audio section – this is where you set all folders in Setting Software). I’m using Zune SW version 4.0 and Vista. Hope this help. BTW, I didn’t have to do the register hack. Thanks Pat!
-Dukester
March 23rd, 2009 06:12
I tried following the instructions above on my Zune 80 (v3 sw/Vista) and got the below mentioned Access Denied error. I did finally get the data off of my Zune by going into the Zune SW, selected Device, and selected all my albums, then dragged them over to the Collection icon in the lower left (it looks like a PC and monitor). The data then sync’d back to the PC. FWIW, I didn’t have any DRM’d music, so I don’t know if that would work. I don’t buy Digitally Restricted Media.
Pat
March 8th, 2009 13:17
doesn’t work, as usual.
December 27th, 2008 07:47
Hello I am using Vista and I can see the zune as a “storage” but I am unable to add any files.. were you able to figure it out?
November 11th, 2008 11:04
This Zune POS leaves no fuckin goat unblown
October 17th, 2008 08:18
I fucking hate Zunes. Just so everyone is aware.
All I want is to find a way to get inside of it and delete everything. Like start from ground zero.
I tried holding down left, middle and whatever but it doesn’t work regardless of how many times I try.
I tried doing this thing to make it viewable as a usb port and still nothing.
This stupid thing is a piece of shit. I would have been better off buying an Ipod.
Diediedie.
October 5th, 2008 12:25
max_jim@yahoo.com
October 5th, 2008 12:23
The new Zune 3.0 not show any response to this way
i ask question if we can remove Zune 3.0 software and download the older one we will solve this problem
any one have way to do that ? ? ? ?
HELP ME !
September 28th, 2008 21:51
Tried this today, and it seems that the new Zune 3.0 has eliminated this in some way.
I followed the above steps, made the registry changes, plugged in the zune and started the software, and there is nothing in windows explorer other than my normal drives and cd drive.
Just though I would mention here that 3.0 might have nerfed this since it didn’t work for me.
September 18th, 2008 16:57
Oh my gosh. I don’t believe it. I had to restart my computer because of a virus and i thought “no biggie, ill just put my important files on the zune”. So I restart and here is irony for you. No, I didn’t bring the virus from the zune to my PC. Well, sort of…You see, the virus is the new version of Zune firmware 3.0. It completely disables doing a quick registry hack and thus enabling drag and drop. You can VIEW your files but you can never sync because if you are ever syncing with the new firmware/software, which allows zune games, you will NOT BE ABLE TO SEE ANY OF THE FILES. Wow microsoft, touchee, way to bend me over and nail me.
August 7th, 2008 02:33
[...] использовать Zune как внешний винчестер. Можно поменять пару ключей в реестре, и устройство покажется как “портативное [...]
March 24th, 2008 07:57
In the usb folder there are many numbers how do i no witchc fold is for my zune?
January 14th, 2008 10:18
Thanks! Worked perfectly. FYI all I am running Vista
January 5th, 2008 10:57
I found an easier way, sync device, after the folder hack, open up a video file from the device, and while it’s playing you can copy/delete/move files from the device. Without turning off the zune.exe file.
December 27th, 2007 04:21
you fucked my zune up u fucking homos it was brand new 3
November 26th, 2007 08:55
i tried the commands above but i still cant see it under my computer and now the software doesnt come up automatically when you plug it incan anyone help please
October 3rd, 2007 10:59
Ok i really need help with this … my computer crashed and i really need to get all of my songs back onto my computers drive …
i followed the steps of opening up the registry and i found where the zune is located …
but im really confused as to where i go to change the values of everything
PLEASE help me!
September 12th, 2007 23:47
To transfer files you need to start a sync with your Zune and the Zune Software. While it is syncing you can copy any files you wish into the device.
April 26th, 2007 04:48
i did everything in the directions and it’s still not showing up. can someone help?
March 16th, 2007 04:29
okay, now it worked, but some of the files dont let me have access to them, why is that?
March 16th, 2007 04:27
i still cant copy files from zune even following the advice on here. anything i did wrong you think. “access denied”
March 9th, 2007 22:00
your zune software must be open to copy files
March 4th, 2007 03:59
I tried to copy files from my Zune and it said Access denied, im not sure why this is.
January 12th, 2007 13:16
i did what it said and when i tried to copy files and whatnot it said permission denied, im not sure why this is, any ideas? is there something i missed?
January 6th, 2007 23:06
[...] Enable Zune hard drive mod or mass storage mod by editing the Windows PC registry. [...]