How to erase all content from your Zune device

View products that this article applies to.

SUMMARY

This article describes how to erase all content from your Zune device. Erasing the hard drive will remove all music, videos, pictures, podcasts, and friends that are stored on the Zune device.

Back to the top

When possible, we recommend that you sync your Zune device with the Zune client software on your computer to back up any Zune Marketplace content before you perform the following steps. For more information about how to back up your content, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

952590 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/952590/ ) How to back up content that you purchased from the Zune Marketplace

To erase all content from your Zune device, follow these steps:

Start the Zune software on the computer.
Connect your Zune device by using the Zune Sync Cable.
Click settings, and then click device.
Click Sync Options, and then click Erase All Content.
When you receive the following message, click Yes:
Please Confirm. Are you sure you want to erase the contents of the connected Zune?

You receive the "Erase All Contents" message. This may take several minutes. Do not move or disconnect the Zune device until the message disappears.

If you applied a custom background picture, the erase procedure will not remove it.

For more information about how to remove the custom background, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

926918 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926918/ ) After you erase all content from your Zune device, the picture that you applied as the background is still visible

Back to the top

Erase content from a Zune device without using a computer

You can also erase the content from a Zune device without using the Zune software. This method is useful when you want to erase the content but you do not have access to a computer.

Caution No warning or confirmation message will appear on the Zune device when you use this procedure.

To erase the Zune device without using a computer and the Zune Software, follow the steps for the Zune device that you are using:

Collapse this tableExpand this table

1. Set the Hold switch to unlocked.
2. Press and hold the Back button Collapse this imageExpand this image while you press the top of the Zune pad. When the Zune device begins to start, release the buttons.	Collapse this imageExpand this image
3. Immediately after you release the buttons in step 2, press and hold the following combination of buttons, depending on your Zune model:
- If you have a Zune 4GB, Zune 8BG, Zune 16GB, Zune 80GB, or Zune 120 GB device, press and hold the Back button Collapse this imageExpand this image while you press the Play/Pause button. Continue to hold these buttons until the Zune device restarts and you receive the following message: Clearing contents. Please wait.	Collapse this imageExpand this image
- If you have a Zune 30GB, press and hold the Back button while you press the right side of the Zune pad and the center of the Zune pad. Continue to hold these buttons until the Zune device restarts and you receive the following message: Clearing contents. Please wait.	Collapse this imageExpand this image