On your computer, go to www.zune.net and click Get the Zune software (see Figure 23-1).

Figure 23.1. Acquiring the Zune software.

On the next page, you're given two options. First, you can create a new Zune account and download the software. Second, you can simply download the software without creating an account (see Figure 23-2). You may wish to create an account, so that you can use the social and music discovery features of Zune once you install the software. However, if you've already created a Zune account, you can simply download the software to your computer.

Figure 23.2. The Zune download options; 32- and 64-bit downloads are available.

Once you set up an account (or choose your operating system and click Download), the Zune software will begin downloading. To make sure you get the correct version, click the Start button on your computer, then right-click computer and choose properties. This screen will tell you what version of Windows you are running and whether it is 64-bit. The file is around 100 MB, so it may take awhile to download on slower connections. Once it downloads, double-click it to start the installation process.

Follow the steps in the installation wizard to install the Zune software. The installation process is fairly straightforward, so all you should need to do is click Next a few times, and the software will be installed.

Once the software has been installed, you can double-click the Zune icon on your desktop to start it.

On your computer, double-click the Zune icon on your desktop to start the software. After a few moments, the Splash screen shown in Figure 23-3 will appear.

Figure 23.3. The Zune Splash screen.

The first time the software starts, it may take a few moments longer to load than is normally the case. This is because Zune begins by cataloging your music, videos, and pictures. Once the software starts, a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 23-4 will appear. I'll discuss each part of this screen, starting in the upper left and rotating clockwise.

Figure 23.4. The Zune Music Collection screen.

Look in the upper left of this screen (see Figure 23-5). Clicking Collection highlights Music by default (Figure 23-5 details what each button does in this grouping). Click each item in the upper part of the bar to explore the quickplay, marketplace, and social options.

Figure 23.5. Navigating Zune's options.

In the upper right (see Figure 23-6), you'll find options to configure the software's Settings and access help. You'll also see your Zune profile picture and a Search box. The Search box will not only search your music and videos, but will also help you find items in the Marketplace.

Figure 23.6. Searching for music in the Zune software.

In the bottom right and center (see Figure 23-7), you'll see the current track you're playing, its progress, and a familiar set of buttons to control playback. Clicking the Repeat button will repeat the current playlist; clicking the Shuffle button will randomly play items in the list; clicking the Previous, Play, and Next buttons will let you control the track's playback; and clicking the now playing button will show the playlist with the album art in the background. The last option is perfect for displaying the music currently playing on a computer in a group setting, such as when at a party.

Figure 23.7. Listening and controlling music.

Finally, look in the lower-left corner of the screen (see Figure 23-8). You'll find icons representing your Zune device (whether it's an actual Zune player or your Windows Phone 7 device); a Disc button that represents a burn list, which is a list of music you wish to burn to a CD; and a Playlist icon, which you can use to drag-and-drop items onto a playlist from any screen.

Figure 23.8. The Device, Disc (burn), and playlist buttons.

The best way to learn about the Zune software is by playing with the different options and ways to view music, videos, and more. Once you're comfortable with the software, get ready to hook up your Windows Phone 7 device to your computer.

On your PC, open the Zune software by clicking the Zune icon on the desktop.

Use the included micro-USB cord that came with your phone to plug your phone in to a free USB port on your computer.

When your computer sees the device, it should display a message similar to the one shown in Figure 23-9 as it installs the proper device drivers for your phone.

Figure 23.9. Installing the appropriate device drivers.

Once the installation is complete, a message similar to the one shown in Figure 23-10 will appear. At this point, the Zune software should begin detecting your phone and start the setup process.

Figure 23.10. The device drivers have been installed.

If you've set up a password lock on your phone, a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 23-11 will appear, asking you to unlock your phone. Take your phone, slide up the Lock screen image, and enter your password.

Figure 23.11. Unlocking your phone.

Once the phone is unlocked, the Zune software will begin the setup procedure, showing a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 23-12. Click Next to continue.

Figure 23.12. Starting the connection process.

Give your phone a meaningful name—such as "My Awesome Phone"—when you see the screen shown in Figure 23-13.

Figure 23.13. Naming your phone.

Next, your phone will go online and determine whether any system updates for your phone are available. We'll discuss updating your phone in more detail in Chapter 26: "Updating Your Phone"; however, if an update is available, you'll be able to walk through the process of updating your phone at this time. Once the update check is complete (see Figure 23-14), the setup process is done.

Figure 23.14. Checking for updates.

Once the setup process is complete, you'll see a Summary screen similar to the one shown in Figure 23-15. At this point, Zune will begin downloading any pictures you've taken on your device to your computer.

Figure 23.15. Your phone's Summary screen.

Once your photos are downloaded, you will be able to see them under the Just added to collection heading, as shown in Figure 23-16.

Figure 23.16. Synchronizing content to your phone.

Clicking the View Sync Options button shown in Figure 23-16 (beneath the Last Sync time) will bring up the Sync Options screen (see Figure 23-17). Clicking All or Manually under each media type (Music, Videos, Pictures, or Podcasts) tells Zune either to automatically upload all of a given content type—or none. The middle section, Items I choose, allows you to create sync groups for that media type, which you'll learn more about in the next section. Once you select your Synchronization settings and click OK, Zune will begin uploading content to your phone.

Figure 23.17. Selecting what files should synchronize automatically.

As the phone synchronizes, you'll see a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 23-18. Once the synchronization gets to 100%, your media is transferred, and you can begin using it on your phone.

Figure 23.18. The completed synchronization process.

In the Zune software, click the Settings button in the upper right.

Click Phone in the upper left of the screen (see Figure 23-19).

Figure 23.19. Accessing your Phone settings in Zune.

Click Sync Groups in the list of menu options to see a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 23-20. Click New Group.

Figure 23.20. Creating a sync group.

The New Group box will appear (see Figure 23-21). Customize this box so it contains whatever content you'd like. The setup I've shown will synchronize photos taken within the last 30 days to my phone. Remember that any content not set to Items I choose on the Sync Options page (see Figure 23-17) won't show up in the Source drop down box shown in Figure 23-21. This is because it's all or nothing for items in a sync group when it comes to syncing automatically.

Figure 23.21. Configuring a sync group.

Click OK to enter the new group. The next time you synchronize, Zune will add the items to your phone.

Turn on and unlock your phone.

Tap the Music + Videos live tile on your Start screen (see Figure 23-22).

Figure 23.22. The Music + Videos live tile which displays the last artist listened to.

A screen similar to the one shown in Figure 23-23 will appear. From here, you can tap music to listen to the music you've uploaded, tap videos to watch videos, tap podcasts to view podcasts, and tap radio to listen to the FM radio included in your phone. You can also press and swipe to the right to see new items (see Figure 23-24).

Figure 23.23. Navigating the music + videos interface.

Figure 23.24. New Zune content will appear here after you synchronize your phone.

In addition to listening to music you upload, you can also listen to music through the Zune Marketplace with your Zune Pass. (See Chapter 25: "Exploring the Marketplace" for more details on the Marketplace and streaming music.)

To use the FM radio, you must first plug in headphones or you will receive an error (see Figure 23-25). As the error indicates, the headphones are required because your phone uses your headphones as an FM antenna.

Figure 23.25. The No antenna error.

You can see the radio controls in Figure 23-26. These controls allow you to add your favorite frequencies and scan for stations by swiping your fingers left or right along the Frequency dial icon.