Announcing the Zune Software Customizer
NOTE: Zune Software Customizer has been released for version 2.5 of the Zune Software. Please go here to download it. The version at the bottom of this post will not work with the new software. If you installed this version on top of the old software you will need to uninstall the Zune Software Customizer and then goto the linked page for the new version.
I’ve been working on this in my spare time for a while now and I’ve finally got it to the point where I’m satisfied enough to release it, so others can try it out. Basically ever since the custom background hack was released on ZuneBoards and people started releasing themes for the software I wanted to figure out a way to make customizing the Zune Software easier. I first attempted to make it so that you could sort playlists right inside the software, but I couldn’t get that working, so I decided to start working on other things. Which is what led me to what I am giving you all today: the Zune Software Customizer.
Instructions:
- Download installer located at the bottom of this post.
- VISTA NOTE: If you have Windows Vista make sure to right click the installer, choose properties->compatability and check the “Run this program as an administrator” box otherwise you will most likely receive Access Denied errors (unless you have UAC off I guess).
- x64 NOTE: If you are using a 64 bit OS
- Please download the 32 bit version of ZuneShellResources.dll and put it in your Zune Programs Directory and rename it to ZuneShellResources.dll (you’ll have to backup or delete the original one).
- The 64 bit and 32 bit versions of the files are interchangeable, but resource hacker doesn’t work with 64 bit dlls.
- NOTE: Make sure to have the Zune Software closed. Specifically ZUNE.EXE
- Now you can Simply run the installer at the bottom of this post, point it at the Zune Program Files directory, and thats it. Open up the Zune Software and enjoy my modifications.
- If you ever want to remove the modifications, just use the uninstaller that is in the start menu or the Zune programs directory.
Features:
- Custom Color Settings
- Set a wide number of colors right inside your Zune Software
- Most colors will update right then and there, some might require a restart though.
- Custom Themes
- Set a theme right inside your Zune Software
- See note on colors refreshing.
- Column Chooser and Reorder Columns added to Playlists and Podcasts Panel
- Set Image as Background Context Menu in Pictures Panel
- Simply right click a image and set it as your background. If you like the way it looks just hit ok, otherwise cancel out.
- Background Browser
- Now you can browse for a picture using a standard windows dialog
- Added Checks to ZuneBoards Custom Background hack to make sure the file exists, etc.
- Also you can enter in urls for internet images
Bugs/Known Problems:
- I believe the only color that doesn’t update unless you restart is the column headers and some text in the settings pages (I did some of them).
- I could have kept going updating colors references forever, but I got tired of it so you’ll have to deal with restarting sometimes to view your changes. Sorry.
- The search box background and search box background active color will refresh if you click into it.
- I don’t have a Zune so I can’t confirm whether the colors update there but I’d imagine so except maybe some of the ones in the settings pages. These should update on restart though.
- Also note that I did add all of the images that was modified with the ZSM Dark Theme and just used them with the DarkZune theme because I didn’t know what images they changed.
Credits:
- ZuneBoards for the Original Background Hack
- ZuneScene (special thanks to WillyJeepsMan for his updater and theme)
- DarkZune (special thanks Aden, Fez, Wetworker who worked on the DarkZune Theme)
What the Color Names mean and why they were included:
Please see this post on zunescene for a breakdown of what the color names map to:
Color Names and their Meanings
I basically just looked at what colors the two Themes mentioned in the credits modified and made all of them available for change.
Any feedback/comments/feature requests/bug reports/etc are welcome.
Now that all of that is out of the way, heres the download: Zune Software Customizer
And here is demo of the new features added (sorry about the quality, was using camstudio for the first time):
It’d be really nice if we had center, tile, or stretch options for backgrounds.
Reply to HawksVery nice work. Things like this keep us modders alive :]
Reply to AeowonDUDE, thank you so much!!!!! I have been trying to change the software’s look ever since I got my Zune. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!
Reply to Matt@Hawks - I’ll try and squeeze that into the next release.
@Aeowon and Matt - Thanks
this is so awesome, but for some reason it won’t let me move the columns around. any help would be nice.
Reply to undroath2deathWhere exactly can you not move the columns around? Like what view?
Edit: Just got your email, yep the moving columns around doesn’t work for the browse view, I don’t even know if that would be possible. Just the list view, playlists columns, and podcast columns.
Yeah i cant move/re-name any of the columns in the podcast and playlist sections. everything else works so i am thankful for that
Reply to EvanRenaming columns wasn’t one of the options. You should however be able to move them. Did you watch the video and if so can you not do what is done in the video as far as moving columns around? You have to drag the name portion or if you are in the “Choose Columns” Dialog you can move it around that way too. Please let me know if you try this and are still having issues.
Idk Y i said re-name…. but yeah i tried the drag and drop, no go. I can’t R click in the podcast and playlist sections at all
Reply to EvanHey great job on this app, i will test it out later.
Reply to wetworkerThanks please come back and let me know what you think or if there is anything you feel should be added to it.
Is there any chance of getting a version that doesn’t require admin rights? I had a hard enough time getting IT to install the Zune software on my laptop, I’m sure they wouldn’t go for this.
Reply to smileyguyI don’t think its possible because it modifies files inside your Zune Directory. You could always copy out the ZuneShellResources.dll to a different folder that doesn’t require admin privileges and then point the installer to there. Once it has completed just copy the file back, but that will require admin rights in Vista/ you will receive a UAC prompt.
THANXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!! I really appreciate you doing this cause I’ve been looking for something like this for a while cause I hate the standard look of the software. Keep up the good work.
Reply to Advent19Hey could you add it so that we can see what the current color settings is for the custom color options in settings. it would be a great help.
Reply to Advent19I assume you mean like something to tell you what the current value is for the currently selected custom color? Or do you mean something to tell you what every custom color you have set is?
The first option I can certainly do. In the next release I will make it update the color slider to its current value when selected. And since below the sliders I show what the sliders current values are you can tell that way.
For the second option I’m not sure where I could fit in the room to show all of the currently set custom colors. If this is the option you are talking about, what would you suggest?
sorry for takin so long for responding i was without internet for a while. but i was talking about the first option where the sliders slide to the current color value. thanx for putting that in the new version I appreciate your work and keep up the good work. now i gotta check out the other improvements you did.
Reply to Advent19i tried to run this the program just opened and closed and it will not run. What am i supposed to do?
Reply to isaacCan you elaborate more? Did you follow the instructions? If so what just opened and closed? The Zune Software? The installer?
i got it to work sorry about that i was being a dumbares
Reply to isaacNot a problem, glad you got it working.
Hey great job on this app, do you think on the next release you can make it so you can edit the artists? every since i updated all of my music has been stuck in the wrong place. Most of it was placed in unknown artists even though i had it all arranged before i got the new software.
Reply to isaac
I cant get it working. The Zune software displays an error message and closes. Any Help would be greatly appreciated. thx
Reply to TickThat’s because this is the older version that is only compatible with version 2. There is a note at the very top of the post, please take the time to read that. Uninstall the Zune Software Customizer, make sure your zune software will now open, and then download the updated version for 2.5 linked at the top of this post.
Hey man…I must give much, much respect for everything you’ve done here! I’m glad that you took the time to hook up those who are not as “hack” savy as yourself! Thanks a million keep up the GREAT work.
Reply to Turbod TegDoes this work with the new 2.5 upgrade? It doesn’t seem to for me. Vista Ultimate sp1 x32. Thanks.
Reply to MarkNo it doesn’t, 2.5 just got released today so I haven’t even had a chance to look at the code. I’ll post a update at some point in the near future though.