Zune is a powerful music platform integrated into Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and Windows Phone 7.5. For users who run Zune on multiple computers, maintaining consistent play counts and last played information across devices can be challenging. This guide explains how to create a single Zune database that works across multiple computers.

Requirements

  • Zune Software installed on all computers
  • Dropbox or SkyDrive (or similar cloud storage service)
  • Identical music library file structure on all computers
  • Link Shell Extension (for creating symbolic links)

Important Warnings

  • Never run Zune on multiple computers simultaneously
  • Always ensure cloud storage is fully synced before opening Zune
  • Back up your ZuneStore.sdf before attempting this procedure
  • Verify the ZuneStore.sdf has a green arrow in cloud storage before proceeding

Preparation

  1. Install Link Shell Extension (x64 or x86 version matching your Windows)

    • Restart Explorer when prompted
    • Or reboot your computer

  2. Verify Music Library Structure

    • Ensure identical file paths on all computers
    • Example: “E:\SkyDrive\Music” should be the same on all systems
    • Use Disk Management to create additional partitions if needed

  3. Close Zune

    • Ensure it’s not running in the background
    • Check Task Manager if necessary

Implementation Steps

  1. Create a “Profile Data” folder in your cloud storage

  2. Navigate to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft

  3. Create a backup of your Zune folder

    • Copy the folder and rename it to “Zune.Backup”

  4. Move the Zune folder to cloud storage

    • Cut the Zune folder
    • Paste it into your cloud storage “Profile Data” folder
    • Wait for sync to complete

  5. Create a symbolic link

    • Right-click the Zune folder in cloud storage
    • Select “Pick Link Source”
    • Navigate to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft
    • Right-click in empty space
    • Choose “Drop As.. Symbolic Link”

  6. Verify the setup

    • Open Zune and let it fully load
    • Close Zune
    • Check ZuneStore.sdf timestamp in cloud storage
    • Ensure it updated properly

  7. Repeat on other computers

    • Follow the same steps on each additional computer
    • Test play counts and last played information

Troubleshooting

Music Re-adding Issue

  • Problem: Zune re-adds music each time you open it
  • Solution: Ensure identical music library file structure on all computers

File Conflict Issues

  • Problem: Conflicted ZuneStore.sdf files
  • Solution:
    • Close Zune on all computers
    • Wait for cloud sync to complete
    • Remove conflicted files
    • Restart the process if necessary

Best Practices

  • Always check cloud sync status before opening Zune
  • Maintain regular backups of your Zune database
  • Keep music library structure consistent across all computers
  • Monitor cloud storage space regularly

Conclusion

This method allows you to maintain a single Zune database across multiple computers, ensuring consistent play counts and last played information. While this solution works well, it requires careful management to avoid conflicts. Consider this a temporary solution until Microsoft potentially integrates this functionality with SkyDrive in future versions.