How to delete all content from your zune
January 2nd, 2007 by 
Mike Well want to start from scratch, delete all media files from your zune and don’t know how to do it. There are two ways 1) directly off zune or 2) using the zune software. I’ll discuss both.
Directly off zune:
- Set the Hold switch to unlocked.
- Press and hold the Back button at the same time as you press the top of the Control Pad.
- Immediately press and hold the Back button at the same time as you press the right side of the Control Pad and the OK button in the center of the Control Pad.
- Continue to hold these buttons until your Zune device restarts and you receive the following message: Clearing contents. Please wait.
- Remember you will not receive any warning or confirmation message using this method.
Using the zune software:
- Start your zune software and connect your zune to the computer.
- On the Options menu, point to Sync, point to your device name, and then click Erase Zune Device.
- You receive the following message: Erasing your Zune device library will remove all songs, videos, and pictures. Are you sure you want to continue?
- Click OK.
- You receive the following message: Zune device library erased.
- Click OK.
Related Posts: zune preloaded content issues
Posted in Help | 
January 6th, 2007 at 12:47 am
my zune says 1. Connect zune to your PC….then I connect it and it either says its not recognized because its malfunctioning or it won’t let me update the firmware or something….what the hell should I do? PLEASE HELP ME
March 1st, 2007 at 12:06 am
How do you delete pictures or certain songs from your Zune?
March 1st, 2007 at 6:45 am
Fe, You’ll find it here.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928244
September 5th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
I want more control of my library so that it contains only those files (particularly pictures) that I want it to - and then load (sync) from that set onto the Zune itself. This allows me to better/faster find the photos from the library. I do not like it that all the photos are automatically loaded into the library.
December 25th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
FIRST ONE DOESNT WORK
December 29th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
there is no options. is this the old zune software? Cuz if it is, i need a way to delete stuff off my zune device in the new software
December 30th, 2007 at 10:22 am
how do i take all the videos off this zune devise because its takeing up room
January 8th, 2008 at 1:08 am
does anyone know why it keeps telling me i’m up to date with my zune firmware when infact i’ve deleted everything relating to zune from my pc?
February 1st, 2008 at 8:40 pm
well,i erased every thing off my zune but it says i have used 27.73 GB i am so mad i need help!!!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
it doesnt work for me it restarts but doesnt clear data
February 15th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
how do you delete the library from the computer? all i want too do is delete everything from the library so i can reload the songs i have on my zune. can somebody help me??????
March 8th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
This is a better description, in my opinion:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926917
March 10th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
the first one dose NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 12th, 2008 at 8:53 am
How do you delete some the the pics and songs from the zune not all of it.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
okay my friend accidnetally dropped it to the ground bout 1 yard from teh ground and it froze so i pressed and held down middle and play/pause button. now i have no music or anything but it wont let me put my zune music back on it caz it says its used up space like 0 gb free. i dont know how to fix this problem please help me…ANY1 asap thank you soooooo much!!!!!
May 31st, 2008 at 11:47 am
First-click ‘Settings’ in the upper right, then ‘Device’ in the upper left–its under the first category ‘SYNC OPTIONS’ Then ‘ERASE ALL CONTENT’ is shown under ‘Device options’
June 4th, 2008 at 8:13 am
i have a problem… ive accidentally deleted all my videos on my zune device.. now it doesn’t work. it won’t play on my zune. does anybody have any idea what can i do? thanks
June 12th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
hey i only want to delete a couple of songs from my zune not all my music so how do i do that i already tried doing it with my zune list and right clicking it and all and it still doesnt take it off my zune just my collection plzz reply asap plzzz!!!
August 5th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I just need to delete certain items from my Zune and is there a way to download from the Zune to my new pc?
October 8th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
dude i just did it and i dont know if i did it wrong but my zune screen is grey and it doesnt say anything but its on
October 18th, 2008 at 11:01 am
thanks alot this really helped me out. btw the first one does work i had to try 4 times but it does work thanks again
December 28th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
my zune is connected to the computer and charging put the soft ware says it not there
April 4th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
after trying the first option to erase content, it worked, I was almost shocked! It really is about timing, when you press back and up(at the same time) and the zune goes black as soon as you see it go black, you have to press the back, right, and middle button (at the same time) and hold it. the message comes up just as it was supposed to. He wasn’t exaggerating when he said immediately. I am surprised again when everything was deleted, my display picture stayed the same, even tho the picutre folder is now empty. oh well, mission accomplished, thank you for the tip that worked.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
does this button-delete function work on an 8gig? because i have been sitting here trying to get it to work, and it’s all still there.
My boyfriend gave me the zune, and i get the whole “USB device not regocnized” and i have no idea what to do. :[[
please help me!
September 11th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
first one works if you set the selection to add and delete and manage files manually on your zune.
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Man, that first one does work.. its all about timing.. Just gotta make sure you do it correctly..
November 7th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I think some people may be mistaking right button to mean the right side of the control pad. But they mean the actual “right” button. the play button.. But it works!!! Now I hope this fixes my problem. *fingers crossed*
February 15th, 2010 at 8:02 am
help! i accidently deleted all of the content and files on my zune! does anyone know how to get everything back on it?….my zune page doesnt have any of the songs on it any more..im in a great need of help PLEASE??!!!
id really appreciate it