Before you can start harnessing the full power of your Zune, you need to follow these simple steps to install the prerequisite software. Note that if you've already been using 3rd-party XNA applications not available through the Zune Marketplace, you have already completed these steps and are ready to continue.
XNA Game Studio 3.1 provides the necessary components to install applications not published by Microsoft to the Zune.
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Any edition of Visual Studio 2008 can be used in place of Visual C# 2008 Express Edition, but is not required.
As you most likely do not need
SQL Server 2008 Express, make sure to deselect it during installation.
While Visual Studio 2010 and Visual C# 2010 Express Edition can be installed alongside the 2008 versions, only 2008 is compatible with XNA Game Studio 3.1.
Visual C# 2008 Express Edition will eventually ask you for a registration key; you can obtain a key for free by clicking the registration link or selecting Register Product… from the Help menu.
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If you have XNA Game Studio 4.0 installed, uninstall it before installing 3.1. XNA Game Studio 4.0 removes components that are necessary to use the Exploit Deployment Tool and application installation packages that use DeployKit.
It is unnecessary to enable the suggested firewall exceptions unless you intend to write multiplayer games using XNA for the PC or Xbox 360.
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Once you have installed XNA Game Studio 3.1, you need to add your Zune to the Device Center to be able to install to it.
Attach your Zune to the computer and ensure that the Zune software is closed. Device Center will not detect your Zune if the Zune software is running.
Open the Start menu and navigate to All Programs > Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.1 > XNA Game Studio Device Center.
Click Add Device, then Zune. Due to a bug in XNA Game Studio, if your Zune is not detected the first time, you must close Device Center and start again from step 1.
Select your Zune, then continue through the remaining steps.
