How to create and manage playlists in the Zune software

This article describes how to create and manage playlists in the Zune software.

A playlist is a collection of songs that can be played in the Zune software or synced to a Zune device.

You can create manual playlists and autoplaylists by using the Zune software. Manual playlists are playlists that are created by manually selecting each song and album. Autoplaylists are dynamic playlists that are automatically created based on a set of criteria that you specify.

How to create an autoplaylist

To create an autoplaylist, follow these steps:

1. Start the Zune software.
2. Click collection, and then click playlists.
3. Click the NEW AUTOPLAYLIST button.
4. The options for configuring your autoplaylist will appear. Enter a name for the playlist. For example, type Gym Favorites.
5. Use the drop-down menus to select criteria for your playlist. In certain fields, you can enter text to specify additional criteria. Criteria must be separated by semicolons (;). The Zune software will find all results that contain the "string" of characters that you specify.
   
   For example, if you enter Van in the Album Artist field, all results that have the text "van" in the title, such as Van Halen, Van Morrison, the Vandals, and so on, will be included in your playlist.
6. Click OK to save the playlist.

Note When an autoplaylist is created, any content that is added to your collection at a later date will automatically be added to your autoplaylist if it matches the criteria that you specified. You can also edit a playlist by right-clicking the autoplaylist and selecting Edit. Click OK after you have made changes to that autoplaylist, and the playlist will automatically be updated based on the new criteria that you specified.

How to create a manual playlist

To create a manual playlist, follow these steps:

1. Start the Zune software.
2. Click collection, click music, and then click playlists.
3. Drag the songs or albums to the playlist icon in the lower-left corner of the window.
4. Click New Playlist.
5. Enter a name for that playlist. For example, type Gym Favorites.
6. Click OK to save the playlist.

Note After a manual playlist is created, you can only change it manually. You can either drag additional content to the playlist or manually delete content from the playlist to change it.

How to create a Smart DJ playlist from your collection

1. Right-click any song, artist, or album in your collection.
2. Click Create Smart DJ Playlist.
3. Name your playlist.
4. Click OK.

How to create a Smart DJ playlist from an artist in the Zune Marketplace

1. Sign in to the Zune software by using a Zune Pass account.
2. Open any artist's page in the Zune Marketplace.
3. Click the Smart DJ link.
4. On the Now Playing screen, click Save as Playlist.
   Note You can view your Smart DJ playlists from your collection. To do this, browse to the Music area, and then click Playlists.