Its been a only few days since Microsoft released Zune 2, the portable music player that everyone hates. I really liked the hype that Microsoft built up for Zune 2 and believe me it does look like a solid Music Player and manages to beat its chief Rival Apple iPod in a quite a few places.
Leave all that apart, I am now going to tell you how you can use your Zune as just another flash drive using the USB port. Please note that this is a registry hack, so make sure you backup your registry before proceeding..
- 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_MACHINESystemControlSet002EnumUSB
- Search for ‘PortableDeviceNameSpace‘. This should be contained in the Vid_####&Pid_############_-_########_-_########_-_########Device Parameters within the above ‘USB The ##’s listed here will be 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.
- Hopefully at this point you can open up ‘My Computer’ and browse your device, though it does NOT show up as a drive letter.
This hack seems to be working for quite a lot of people so please let us know in the comments section, if this works for you..
Via Zunerama
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{ 100 comments… read them below or add one }
this hack showed up at zuneboards.com first BTW…
Does this work with the first generation of Zune?
Tried this, I get a read-only error half the time when using my 30gb Zune. It does work, but I cannot create folders and as stated half the time it will not work.
On one of my successes I copied a high quality wmv to the zune to see how it would handle, after a warning it accepted it without manipulating the file. This would be good for file transfer as you can rename a .avi to .wmv and not have it attempted to be converted and transfer it to another person’s computer lossless.
Anyhow, thats my story.
enabled zune2 to appear under My Computer under XP Home
after opening you can view the files loaded on the the player but only have read-access. copying to the player fails because you need permission to write even if logged in as admin
Got the drive to show up (using Zune 30 with latest Zune 80 firmware on Windows XP SP2 machine) but can’t copy files to it. Brings up window saying “[filename] could not be placed on device. You do not have permission to create this item.” and the only options are “Skip”, “Skip All”, and “Cancel”. Bummer. Will try on another machine and report back if it works.
Note to others who are trying: I didn’t have a ControlSet002 folder in my registry. I had ControlSet001 and ControlSet003. I found entries for Zune under both. You’ll know you’ve found the Zune entry when you click on the ########_-_########_-_########_-_######## folder (and there was a ton of them to go through)… there is an entry called Location Information which will have the value “Zune”. I had three Zune entries under ControlSet001 and three more under ControlSet003. Make sure to make the appropriate changes for each one just to be sure.
Ha! Checked over at zuneboards.com and found that you have to start a sync in the Zune software, and while it is syncing, close the software. I guess this leaves the Zune in a vulnerable state. I was able to create a new folder and copy a few PDF files to it successfully. Good luck!
I have succsesfully completed this hack. one thing I am wondering about is if I can see the files on other computers without running the hack on the other computers
No, you’ll need to do this on every computer you want to use your Zune as an external hard or flash drive on since it requires the registry of that particular machine be modified.
- Leif
Worked perfectly on my new 80gb.
hey its not working i got windows vista and it wont show up but zune software still works
Using a Zune 30 with the latest firmware on a Vista PC, this hack didn’t work for me initially. After changing the registry settings only for the first “find” of ControlSet002 nothing seemed to change.
Then I saw there was ControlSet001 and CurrentControlSet with similar entries and that there were other VID entries within ControlSet001 and ControlSet002 and CurrentControlSet.
What the heck, let’s change them all. After changing the 3 values above in all of the places where I found ���PortableDeviceNameSpace��� (probably 8-10 in all), the hack works just fine.
Looking at “Computer” I see my Hard Disk Drives, my Devices with Removable Storage (DVD RW Drive), and finally my Portable Devices. For some reason, my Zune (identified by its Zune name) is listed twice. They both seem to point to the same device and I was able to delete the one file that I was trying to delete for days.
Mission accomplished.
Mine shows up perfectly when I attached my new 80GB, but when I try to copy I get the error msg “Access Denied”. What now?
Ok here is how to have full read/write access on your Zune giving you total control as you would any drive in Windows. As one of the posters already stated above, have the Zune software running, get a couple of files ready to sync. Start the sync process then immediately close the Zune software. You now have full control over your Zune. I just tested it out and am copying over files, renaming folders, do everything I wished this thing would do out of the box.
My Zune is a 1st Gen 30GB and As Don explained it worked for me on my Vista Ultimate PC and now i have full controll of copying any of my files over with ease. I dont have to convert any of my AVI files just copy them over and they play just fine. Thanks for the up….
MCHolden I found the work around to your problem.
This is what you have to do! Start your Zune Software and sync a decentky long file depending on how much you want to load to your Zune une Software open. What ever you do do not close it….
Now open your Zune however it is reconized on your System and now you can start to copy over files to your Zune with no problems and create new Folders….
It worked for me on my other 30GB 1st Gen Zune and should not have that “You do not have permission to create this item.��� error..
Hope this helps you out!
super….its workin perfectly…thanks a ton!!!!
Hurricane, I appreciate your suggestion but I already found the solution (see my second post). Apparently Janek didn’t see it either. =)
But I did NOT know that you could copy an AVI file right over and it would play. Jack mentioned this above, but was renaming to WMV. I wonder if I can copy over my Xvid’s (in an mp4 container) without conversion… I’m guessing no but it’s worth a shot.
Thanks again for the followup. Happy New Year!
This worked out really well. Pat nailed it. I had to change all of the Portable Device Name Spaces as well. I have a 1st Gen 30gb and that is exactly what you have to do. It will not work by only changing the first set of parameters.
I’ve been trying to do this for a wile and it just doesn’t like me. And when I tryed it again I now have 6 ControlSets. I was wounder if there was a way to uninstall the zune software and take out all the regs without screwen something up.
Just you let you know Ive changed all control sets to whats listed above.
Ok I got it fixed, I used Registry Workshop and search for every PortableDeviceNameSpace and there were a few I missed. Thanks guys!
I have vista and i did exactly what PAT said and now i can access it in my computer. great work!
Tried it on Windows Vista Biz edition and it did not recognize the zune as a drive. wont shwow under MYCOMPUTER
=(
ok, i have a dual boot so i loaded zune software on XP pro and viola it worked
I’m working with a Vista Ultimate computer and I had to change both control sets to get it to work, but I can’t do anything to any of the files because it says the access is restricted.
You have to sync your zune with some files, then close the zune program in the middle of the sync. Then it should work.
If you read what MCHolden said you would know this.
Don’t use ControlSet002, ControlSet001, or any other ControlSet key with a number. It might work, it might not. Instead, do this under CurrentControlSet (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB\ ). It will work more reliably that way.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/100010 explains the difference and why it’s best to use CurrentControlSet.
Pat – how did you remove the zune icon showing up twice under my computer? Thanks!
I never figured why (or how to get rid of) my Zune showing up twice in My Computer – other than putting the registry settings back.
I’ve had to use RegEdit to change the settings a couple of times as things get out of whack on my Zune. I usually change the registry as mentioned above, delete the folders/files as needed, then change the settings back. It wouldn’t cleanly delete played podcasts when the Zune was set up as a flash drive and that’s something that drives me crazy. I subscribe to over 50 podcasts and a clean list is a must.
i cant seem to get it to work.
i did it finally. thanks for the idea!
I’ve tried everything you guys have said, and it still won’t work. I can only move files that are already on the Zune between folders but cannot create new folders etc. I got the drive to show up, I’ve tried stopping the program in the middle of a sync, and it still won’t work. It says the device is either no longer connected or is not responding (the device itself works fine). It works fine in the zune software normally but is a pain to work with. Also, I tried changing the registry in both places (and changed it back each time, of course, so that the registry values were only changed in one place). I run Windows XP. Also, when I open up the drive (there are two, actually, like some other people have commented), there are three folders: (1) albums, (2) music and (3) pictures. Since albums and music overlap (i.e. all the music listed by artist is also found in the albums, just sorted by albums), doesn’t this mean I don’t really have access? I’m really confused. Thanks.
Ben I am totally with you. I have the device showing up now in my computer but am still receiving the error that I don’t have permission to create the item. Ok, just to make sure I am understanding…you all are saying that you sync your device with the software. What do you mean sync it with a file? When I am in the software it just says sync your device, I click on it and it says 100% synced, but it is still to no avail I am still getting the error. Can someone please break it down a little further, I would be GREATLY APPRECIATIVE!!!
OK…just got the whole syncing thing!! WHEW…..BUT still not in the clear…Now I can transfer them to the device on my computer but they are not showing up in the Zune when I unplug it. Am I just not getting this or what?? Please somebody help
with my zune i had to plug it in just to let u kno and then turn off the software and i did this one other time and had to do that to
Pat for the win!
Can’t rename folders in my new 80gb zune. Can’t do anything, but the zune does show up on my computer.
Had trouble at first finding the specific “Zune Folder” I don’t have a Control Set002, i have 001, 003, and current control set. 003 didn’t work, but 001 did. Thanks for the help. It works great now, for my zune2.
Now, How do i copy these files from my zune to my computer?
nevermind, figured it out.
how do u copy files. it tells me im not authorized
Can you do this if you dont have zune software? Does anyone know a link to download zune software. All the ones i have tried dont work. And all my friends cant seem to find theres. Please help thanks
This didnt work for me I have a 30gb zune and i cant find “PortableDevice Name” space……….help me
i tryd but i dont get it when im in the regedit cant find some of the stuff displayed in confuzed
What is the #??
What number in your zune?
I downloaded the Zune HD Patch 4.0 And it saved me the hassle.
Oh my bad press backspace on the URL after you follow the kink.
if you do this hack, then shouldnt you be able to use this on a mac then, or does it not play the files you added? if it does you should be able to do it on a mac right???
why isn’t it working. i can view my zune as a hard drive or what ever but i can’t do anything with it. it wont let me do anything with it.
I tried this, I’m guessing M$ has changed something to stop this working.
I have the device showing in my drives list, enter it, find folder “video” get the file I want to copy on my ctrl c . go into my zune software, hit sync for a 1g vid. if I close the software and try to paste into the folder it tells me I don’t have permission. If I don’t close the software and try it says the device is busy…
any ideas?
I feel I’m either doing something wrong or ms has cottoned onto this and stopped it with some evil update…
I should have mentioned i’ve got a 80G Zune 2.
Haven’t tried it yet, but this is exactly what I was looking for when I stumbled over this site. I’ll let you know how it works for me…
I did it and it said I had no permision to copy the files. Then I did started to sync files and closed the software in mid sync and after than I was able to copy the files.
How can I copy files without having to leave the zune in sync mode?
Cause if I cant then it is’nt worth doing unless I install the software on every computer to leave the zune in sync mode
Is there a way to break the security of the zune permanently?
I have a 80 gb Zune.
>Hopefully at this point you can open up ���My Computer��� and browse >your device, though it does NOT show up as a drive letter.
so, how can I see it if it’s not in MyComputer?
I tried it a few times, but I can’t see it neither through explorer nor file manager(such as Total commander)
waste of time
if i have to sync everytime then this hack is nothing. It is lame and a waste of time for something we shouldn’t even have to type about
Friend, is incredible, I have fond of my ZUNE now it was better still, the only thing we lack it, now I have
Hey man nice blog!! where did you get this information from?
with firmware 3.0 it doesn’t work anymore.
New firmware has ruined this hack. I put heaps of files on back in may and now I cant get them off and its using up space. Bummer.
This is a response to PAT’s comment. I have Vista, too, and got it to work by doing the exact instructions. I guess it works differently for everybody. Unfortunately, it shows up as two Zunes, also. This isn’t a problem, though. No problems! And thanks!
I’ve seen these instructions on a bunch of sites and they all seem to leave out a CRUCIAL piece of information (or whoever wrote this didn’t test very much). Here’s the problem:
Search for ���PortableDeviceNameSpace���. This should be contained in the Vid_####&Pid_####\########_-_########_-_########_-_########\Device Parameters within the above ���\USB\ The ##���s listed here will be numbers and letters specific to your Zune.
This returns about 12 or so results. Stating that “The ###s listed here will be numbers and letters specific to your Zune” doesn’t really help. What are these numbers and letters? How are they specific to my Zune? Are they a UPC code or a product ID of some sort? If so, how do I know they are specific to my Zune? In fact, how do I know they’re related to my Zune at all?
Appreciate the article and would love to be able to do this but I’m not going to change my registry without having something a little more solid to go on. When you mention ” Vid_####&Pid_####\########_-_########_-_########_-_########\Device Parameters”, this basically leaves out 41 vital pieces of information without any indication on what they are, what I should be looking for, how this particular entry should differ from the 11 others I see, or…well…anything!
They’re not leaving out vital pieces of information. Each # represents a number or letter which will be different for everybody’s Zune. Maybe it’s a part number or UPC, who knows and who cares? Just look for the pattern. If you want we can guess what the numbers and letters will be for your Zune. Good luck with that. If you’re skittish about messing with your registry, fine. But all the information you need is right here.
If you want to try to get this working, refer to my posts on December 7th of last year, and Troy’s post on January 22nd of this year. However, it appears that the new firmware has ruined the hack, based on a few comments above. Don’t know if I believe that.
Also, note that you have to do this on EACH COMPUTER you want to use it on. It won’t just open up your Zune to be a portable 30/80 GB hard drive. So in my opinion, this hack is good for one thing only: directly copying videos to the Zune without having to wait for the software to convert them to WMV (barf). If that doesn’t interest you I wouldn’t even bother trying this hack.
I have successfully done this before but my computer must have reset those values back to default settings. I tried doing it again but now in “My Computer” i see instead of “Zune” I see “Jack”, the name on my Zune, and I’m unable to do anything with it.
Cause your 3.1 firmware … Doesn’t work anymore with it … And nothing new !
Too bad… Micro$oft wants to stop free access to the device so they can charge a fee for every dribble of content… What we really need is some adventurous Linux programmer to write a kernel for Zune that will allow full access and maximum utility of the hardware. Then we might see such cool stuff as easy plug in flash drive utility, unrestricted upload and download of files and unlimited plays, even being able to plug a web cam into the device and use it as a video camera.
It worked for me perfectly fine. I am running Vista and in My Computer it showed up as a camera, but if you click on it it’ll open a Window with a Portable drive in it.
I only did this to bypass using MS’ shitty Zune software that I hate worse than any Apple software.
I got the zune harddrive hack to work (sortof) with the latest zune software 3.1.6 on vista x64. My solution restored the music from my zune back to the computer, so (hopefully) this will work for anyone wanting to do the same.
In the zune software, go to the settings and delete the folder where the software looks for your ‘collection’ on your computer. When you go to collection, it will say you have no music in your collection. Now, all you have to do is select all your music from the device and drag it to the computer icon where it says “drag items from device to collection”. It should start syncing the songs back on your computer! The songs will be located in the Zune folder in your music, where it is set to put music when you rip CD’s.
I need to note a few things in case it doesn’t work for someone else:
a] I did change all of the registry keys via the above hack so you might have to do that to make this work, I don’t know.
b] To install the zune software on my 64 bit vista, I had to use the disablerollback registry hack to keep from getting error codes and having it not finish the install.
c] I also had the latest 2.1.2.9 zSuite installed, and my zune showed as using firmware between 2.0 and 2.3 (probably due to item b).
I entered the values and closed out of regedt32,plugged my Zune in,and started my Zune software but I still haven’t been able to read the Zune as a flash drive in My Computer.What did I do wrong?(I have Windows XP and an 80GB Zune)
This hack no longer works with the current firmware of the zune. Microsoft deliberately prevented this from happening, but the reasons are currently unknown (they just wanna keep it under lock and key; that’s why they can’t compete with apple… so frustrating)
not true, you just dont have patience while trying to find the indicated files.
It is true that the hack doesn’t work, but that’s because Microsoft finally provided…
Simply plug in your zune, open up the zune software, select the “your device” section, and drag and drop your music to your computer icon…
It’s so ridiculously easy, I guess it’s hard to find the intuitive nature of it all…
thats not what everyone is trying to do… Everyone knows how to put music on it; people want to use it as a mass storage device.
hey you guys found out how to hack Zune 3.0… the 80 Gb zune… cuz thats what i have, and i have been tryin your methods and none of them r working…
pleasepleae help meee!!!!!!!!!
do i have to find PortableDeviceNameSpace, if so, i CANNOT find it
if not
an you please explain to me what i have to do after im in the usb folder
pleaseplease help me
im not a tech dude and i just want to put some files on my zune so if you can maybe explain the process again for me i will be ever so greatful
thank you
open all of the folders in 002 and 001. one foler you find is Zune Drivers. that is the folder where the modification is done.
i have a 120 gb zune and im trying to get this hard drive hack thing to work can anybody please give me a step by step thing i mean im new at this so it would be nice to helpout thanx
follow the same steps and open all of the folders in controlsetup002 and 001 because i needed to find the folder in 001.
This might be of topic but i have a Zune and i can't get the software on my computer because i have dial-up, is their anyway i can get the sortware on my computer?
download it on a friends computer and copy it to a flash drive, go home, plug in the flash drive, start the program, and wait for it to finish. itll be a loooong wait though.
it works, you just gotta play around with the folders and look for one that has 4 folders in which one of them says ZuneDriver. But whats wierd about mine (120gb) is that 2 zunes appeared.
Doesn't work, It shows up under my computer but there are no folders and I cant write anything.
Did the hack awhile back and it only recognized the player. Could find any files in it. I restarted computer (XP) a few times, opened the zune app and then opened my computer. I was then able to vew folders that are on the zune.
Did the hack awhile back and it only recognized the player. Could find any files in it. I restarted computer (XP) a few times, opened the zune app and then opened my computer. I was then able to vew folders that are on the zune.
to find it quicker go to EDIT on the top menu bar then FIND and type PortableDeviceNameSpace
In order for this to work, the Zune software and Zune drivers MUST be installed. Don't even bother if you haven't done this or you'll never find the registry key we're talking about here. I've done this on three computers. For me, it's always in ControlSet001. Here's a step by step on a XP machine but works in Vista:
1. Start>>>Run>>>type “Regedit” or “Regedt32″ (Press Enter)
2. When the Registry Editor opens, select [Edit] from the menu and then select [Find]
3. Type (or copy and paste this without quotes) “PortableDeviceNameSpace” and then click [Find Next]
4. If you look in the left pane, you will see the tree this is located in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SYSTEM ControlSet00# Enum USB Vid_###x&Pid_#######xx##_-_#xxx#x#x_-_##xx#xxx#_-_#xx#####
where #'s are numbers and x's are leters. These will vary depending on your machine and Zune. They are unique so my example probably won't work. But for me, this was
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001EnumUSBVid_045e&Pid_07101182db43_-_0aee7b4e_-_80bd1ff8_-_8ee00652
There should be three sub-sets under this key: Control, Device Parameters, and LogConf. You will notice (if you did the Find thing) that you will be in the Device Parameters sub-key (under it will be WUDF, WUDFDiagnosticInfo, and ZuneDriver)
5. In the right pane will be the parameters associated with Device Parameters
6. Look for “EnableLegacySupport” and double-click it
7. Make sure “Hexadecimal” under Base is selected and change its “Value data” to 1 (one) then click [OK]
8. Now look for “PortableDeviceNameSpaceExcludeFromShell” and double-click it
9. Make sure “Hexadecimal” under Base is selected and change its “Value data” to 0 (zero) then click [OK]
10. Finally, look for ShowInShell and double-click it
11. Make sure “Hexadecimal” under Base is selected and change its “Value data” to 1 (one) then click [OK]
12. Exit the registry editor
13. Plug in your Zune
14. Give the computer a few to figure out what just happened, then go to My Computer
15. Your Zune should show up under “Other” and will probably be listed twice (no drive letters assigned)
16. If you named your Zune, then that name will be displayed, otherwise Zune will be displayed.
17. Double-click or, right-click then Explore or Open to view folders on the Zune.
This works for me and I have done it on two XP machines and one Vista machine. This has to be done on every computer you want to use the Zune on. Your Zune should show up without starting the Zune software. It does on all the PCs I���ve hacked and I am able to drag stuff FROM the Zune. However, the software DOES need to be running to copy anything TO the Zune.
Good luck
so i'm stuck I've got the 80 gig zune everythign worked out i got the 2 zunes popping up i fixed that to one.. than i used task manager to turn off the zune exe while it was synking.. this makes the files visible but it still wont let me write on them.. i can view the files i just cant upload new shit there.. I keep getting the error message when i try to drag new stuff in that its not allowed.. can you help me with this?
PortableDeviceNameSpaceExcludeFromShell hey this didn't show up on my computer at all and i still tried it but it didn't work.
i keep trying to put a folder into my zune but it keep saying it is not allowed.
It worked perfectly and opened the device, however, to open any file to run as a song for example it does not run anything
It doesn��t work on Vista !!
it dose not work for me at all and i dont have ControlSet002 for some reason. im getting frustrated at having a zune.. i spent so much money on this thing and for it to not work or any thing is BS!!!
��If you bought it just so you could do this then you’re a fucking dumbass.
I can't see why it makes sense for clueless people to attempt a registry hack to use their $250 Zune as a disk drive when 16 Gb flash drives are all of $25. However, I'm all for giving people a bullet for the guns they insist on holding to their own heads. Your registry has multiple …ControlSet00X entries. The specific set you are using when you boot is labeled …CurrentContolSet. That's the tree you should modify. Happy Hunting.
well since you can give us the bullets to unload on ourselves you can guide us through all of the steps to get this done properly and help us through what trouble we are having with this reg mod. and yes i think most of us are aware we can go out and buy a 16g flash drive but most of us choose not to do that hence the fact we are doing this.
Now, if you have can give any help without sarcasm and give help to those who need it and to those who are doing this for other reasons beside it just making it a flash drive (I.E. Me) would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
is there a way to watch youtube on zune hd 16bt?
Yeah! it works!
thanks
XP only. Hard to find specific usb if many have been used.
no luck for vista, plus this is not hd mode. i need the zune to behave like a flash when connected to a usb car stereo.
it did not work
It doesn��t work on Vista !!
I can view the data but it will not let me transfer data to my PC.
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