Zune Thoughts: Tips Day 5: Install easily with SZIP (Software)

Editor's Note: This is part of a series of tips on getting the most out of your Zune device, pass, software, and card. Check out the forums for more tips, or to submit your own.

The installer to the first generation Zune software was infamous for its long install times, and often unsuccessful results that would throw up crypic/pornographic error messages. Fortunately, a hacker and ZuneBoards member named Marshillboy came through with a stripped-down version of the Zune installer that cut load times and reduced errors by 99% (or so he claims). The installer for the new software seems to be free of the problems plaguing its older sibling for the most part, but that didn't stop Marshillboy from releasing the second version of his software.

This time, it can be installed on virtually any Windows machine (as long as it has the .net framework installed), and doesn't even need to be connected to the internet. Take that, updates!

Zune tips are running daily this week. Got a super tip you're just dying to share with the world? Hit the comments link or discuss in the Forums.