An efficient technique to control the zero-dispersion wavelength of a microstructured optical fiber is proposed and numerically demonstrated in this article. This technique is based on the variation of the linear refractive index and the thickness of a thin film covering the microstructured optical fiber holes' inner surfaces. A powerful and accurate code based on a full-vector finite-element method formulation in conjunction with perfectly matched layers was used. A maximum of 570-nm zero-dispersion wavelength displacement is demonstrated. This thin film can be included after the microstructured optical fiber has been fabricated, as that means the zero dispersion of such fiber can be tailored as needed. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.