EDIT: You don't need to use this patch for Vista. Zune Software now supports x32 and x64 Vista.

Some days ago Andre de Gavaignac found a way to remove the limitation of the Zune Software installer and install it on Windows Vista RC1. Paul of MoDaCo posted today a patch for the Zune Software installer that automates some of the steps of the process...

We read on MoDaCo the way to do it:

Prerequisites

You need 3 things to carry out this process.

1. Zune CD - You need the CD that came with your Zune
2. WinRAR - You need WinRAR installed, the trial version is fine. Get it here
3. My Zune.msi install patch - You need the all important installer patch, from here:  zunevista.exe ( 351.97k )

Before we start

Usual caveats apply, if your PC / Zune blows up, don't blame me (but it's working fine for me!)

The process itself is dead easy, and i've broken everything down to be as simple as possible... so don't be daunted that there's a lot of steps (well, only 10!) I have UAC enabled on my Vista build (the default), if you don't, then you can ignore any steps related to running things as an administrator.

Finally, don't actually plug in your Zune until prompted to do so by the Zune software.

Let's get started!

Instructions

1. Create a directory on your desktop called 'Zune'. You can delete this at the end, it's a temporary storage area.
2. Copy the 'zunevista.exe' file you downloaded above to this new directory.
2. Put your Zune CD in the CD drive. In the 'Packages\ZUNE' directory you'll find a file called 'Zune-x86-ENU.exe'. Copy that to the folder you just created.
3. This bit is why you need WinRAR! Right click the file you've just copied, and select 'Extract Here'.
4. You now have 'Zune.msi' right? Great! You can now delete 'Zune-x86-ENU.exe'.
5. Now we're going to patch the MSI to install on Vista using my patch. Double click 'zunevista.exe'. You'll get prompted by Windows to allow the application to run. Allow it
6. You'll see the patch run, and it will tell you it's successfully completed. Hurrah! You now have a Vista friendly zune.msi! You can delete zunevista.exe now.

We now need to run the MSI, but with elevated permissions, which is a bit of a pain. You can't just right click an MSI and do 'run as administrator', so you have to jump through some hoops.

7. Click the 'start orb' or press the windows key, and type 'cmd'. You'll see the cmd application is selected, but DON'T hit enter. Hit CTRL-SHIFT-ENTER instead! You'll be instantly prompted for permission to run the application, indicating that it will be running with elevated permissions.
8. We need to run the MSI now. Type the following 'C:\Users\Paul\Desktop\Zune\Zune.msi', obviously replacing the path as appropriate for your configuration.

You'll now be led through the Zune setup! Hurrah! Just install as normal, and when the install is finished... REBOOT. This is not an optional step, you MUST do this!

There is only one step left now, and that is to set the Zune software itself to run in XP Compatability mode. This is because MS have implemented an OS check in the software.

9. Click the 'start orb' or press the windows key, and type 'Zune'. You'll see the Zune application itself on the list - right click it, and select 'Properties'. Select the 'Compatability' tab and check 'Run this program in compatability mode for'. Click OK.

 Links:

original posting | our previous posting on this | Andre de Gavaignac hack