STEP 2: Install Zen Studio
The heart of Cronus Zen is Zen Studio for Windows. It includes a whole bunch of great controller/MK tools, including access to over 200 GamePacks and thousands of free scripts in the GPC Library.
Listen up, this is important stuff:
- In Zen Studio , don't use the Tools > Firmware Update option. Even if it suggests updating to the latest version, it'll only go up to Beta 50 and you'll get dumb "Firmware Version Incompatible" errors.
- The newer firmware has its own standalone update tool, which you will find in STEP 1: Update Firmware.
- When opening Zen Studio you will see an error saying it's more than a month old. Just click OK and carry on as normal. There's an update coming soon.

The video guides you through every step on this page.

Plug your Cronus Zen into a computer using the PROG USB port.

Open Zen Studio and if Zen detected correctly, you'll see the GPC Library on the left.
The ZEN SERIAL NUMBER will display bottom right also, you'll need this for registering with the Cronus Community.

REGISTERED TO SOMEONE ELSE?
If your Zen was purchased from a third-party, then it is still likely used and tied to a different account, which denies you access to the Cronus Community, while also attaching your Zen to any number of social media accounts. Fixing this takes several manual steps as we need to disconnect your Zen from a currently registered shop, forum, discord, and social media account. Given the care and extra steps involved, we do ask for a small fee. Just head over to cronus.support/unregister, grab the service, and follow the simple instructions.
DEVICE DISCONNECTED
If Zen Studio's taskbar displays Device Disconnected or some other error, see the Zen Studio Troubleshooting Guide.

Navigate to the Device Panel and set the Emulator Output to AUTO.

Important: Any time you install a new version of Zen Studio, listen up! To avoid glitches from old files, head to Tools > Reset Zen Studio, and hit Yes. It'll restart quickly, all shiny and new. 🌟

The rest of the Zen Studio guide is split into sections that explain every panel, button and feature in extra detail.
Zen Studio is now correctly installed so you're ready for STEP 3: Register Your Zen 🚀