How to share video, music, and pictures between your computer and your Xbox 360 console

This article describes how to share video, music, and pictures between your computer and your Xbox 360 console by using Windows Media Player or the Zune software. To set up your computer and console to share media, follow the steps below.

Note For information on using Windows Media Center to share video, music, and pictures with your Xbox 360 console, go to http://www.xbox.com/pcsetup (http://www.xbox.com/pcsetup) .

Step 1: Connect your Xbox 360 console to your network

Use a network cable (wired connection) or the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter (wireless connection), to connect your Xbox 360 console to your home network.

For information on how to connect your console to your network, go to http://www.xbox.com/support (http://www.xbox.com/support) and search for "connect getting started."

Step 2: Set up media sharing

To share media by using Windows Media Player 12

1. On your computer, start Windows Media Player 12.
2. Click Stream, and then click Turn on media streaming.
   
   Note If media streaming is already turned on, select More streaming options and skip to step 4.
3. Click Turn on media sharing.
4. Set Show devices on to All Networks.
5. Make sure that your Xbox console is set to Allowed.

To share media by using Windows Media Player 11

1. On your computer, start Windows Media Player 11.
2. Click Library, and then click Media Sharing.
3. Select the Share my media to check box, select Xbox 360, and then click Allow.

To share media by using the Zune software

1. On your computer, start the Zune software.
2. Click Settings at the top of the window.
3. Click Xbox 360 on the left.
4. Select the types of media that you want to share with your Xbox 360 console, and then click OK.

Step 3: Play or view media on your console

1. On your Xbox 360 console, go to Apps hub and select My Apps.  Open the Music or Picture library.
   
   
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   
   
   
2. Select the name of your computer or Computer.
   
   
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   
   
   Note If the name of your computer is not listed, select Test Connection so that your Xbox 360 console will connect to your computer.
3. Select the item you want to play or view.