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

This article describes how to share video, music, and photos between your computer and your Xbox 360 console.

This section provides step-by-step instructions that will help you play music on your Xbox 360 console from your computer. There are two ways that you can share media with your Xbox 360 console: by using Windows Media Player 11 (or a later version) or by using the Zune software.

To configure media sharing from your PC to your Xbox 360 console, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use Windows Media Player 11

To set up Media Player 11 (or a later version) to share files with your Xbox 360 console, follow these steps:

1. Download and then install Media Player 11. To do this, visit the following Xbox Web site:
   http://www.xbox.com/PCSetup (http://www.xbox.com/PCSetup)
2. Start Media Player 11, click Library, and then click Media Sharing.
3. Click to select the Share my media to check box, select your Xbox 360 from the list, and then click Allow.

Note You can configure more sharing options. To do this, click the Settings button.

For more information about how to set up Media Player 11, visit the following Xbox Web site:

Method 2: Use the Zune software

To set up the Zune software to share files with your Xbox 360 console, follow these steps:

1. Visit the following Xbox Web site to download and install the Zune software:
   http://www.xbox.com/PCSetup (http://www.xbox.com/PCSetup)
2. Start the Zune software
3. Click Settings, and then click software.
4. Click SHARING, and then click ENABLE MEDIA SHARING WITH XBOX 360.
5. Click the relevant check boxes to select the kinds of media that you want to share with your Xbox 360 console.
6. Click OK.