Spotify is getting installed on some Windows PCs automatically

Martin Brinkmann
Sep 29, 2022
Windows 10, Windows 11 News
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31

It appears that the Spotify application is getting installed on some Windows 10 and 11 devices automatically in the past couple of days.

According to user reports, Spotify is installed automatically and run on system start, prompting users to sign-in to accounts or sign-up for new accounts.

Windows Latest and Dr. Windows mentioned some incidents already. According to user reports on Twitter, Reddit and other sites, the Spotify app appeared on Windows devices without any user interaction.

Many reported that the app appeared installed after installation of a recent update for the operating system. Some have left negative reviews on the Microsoft Store, stating that they did not want the application to be installed.

A quick check of several Windows 10 and 11 test systems returned no hits for the Spotify application. The actual trigger for the installation is unknown, and neither Microsoft nor Spotify have responded to the reported issue yet.

It remains to be seen whether this is an intentional move or a bug of sorts. Windows includes no options to prevent the automatic installation of Apps pushed by Microsoft.

How to uninstall Spotify on Windows

 

Affected users may remove the Spotify application again from their devices. Here is how the application may be uninstalled:

  1. Open the Settings application with a click on Start > Settings, or by using the keyboard shortcut Windows-I.
  2. Switch to Apps > Apps & Features.
  3. Search for Spotify in the "apps list" or browse the listing to find the installed application.
  4. Activate the menu (three-dots) next to it and select the uninstall option.
  5. Confirm the uninstall prompt to initiate the removal of the app from the system.

The Spotify autostart entry is removed automatically during the process.

Another option is provided by the free application O&O AppBuster, which can uninstall Spotify and many other applications installed on Windows 10 and 11 machines.

Now You: is Spotify installed on your devices?

Summary
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Spotify is getting installed on some Windows PCs automatically
Description
It appears that the Spotify application is getting installed on some Windows 10 and 11 devices automatically in the past couple of days.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Mothy said on September 30, 2022 at 5:24 pm
    Reply

    Now You: is Spotify installed on your devices?

    It used to be installed on one of my PC’s (full desktop version) but was recently uninstalled as I rarely use the service anymore. But the install was my choice and done manually on Windows 8.1 as I refuse to play Microsoft’s stupid “Windows as service” game and what is most likely the cause behind this issue.

    Instead with Windows 8.1 I’m still able to maintain complete control over my system and nothing is installed or updated without my explicit consent and knowledge!

  2. pHROZEN gHOST said on September 30, 2022 at 3:24 pm
    Reply

    The Spotify app is not on my PC. However, there are some related files logos and in one folder some font (ttf) files …

    C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_5.822.9161.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Widgets\Spotify\Assets

    I have also found Twitter content all added on the same date and time

    They are all under Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_5.822.9161.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

    I would not be surprised if this was Microsoft doing this.

  3. Allwynd said on September 30, 2022 at 11:30 am
    Reply

    For me it has been one of the pre-installed programs since probably Windows 10. A lot of similar undesirable programs have been automatically installed for me. I’ve found out that if I pull out the internet cable from my computer during Windows 10/11 installation, those don’t install immediately, but they do auto-install after internet is present again. I have to manually uninstall them.

    At first I was annoyed by this, but when I think back on this, such programs have been pre-installed with Windows since probably Windows 95. If you don’t want them, just uninstall them, that’s it.

  4. Anonymous said on September 30, 2022 at 5:07 am
    Reply

    A search with Everything reveals the following file paths:

    C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_5.621.4222.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Widgets

    C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_5.621.4222.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Assets

    All files dated 27th April 2022. On the same date:
    Bing Translator – don’t want it.
    Microsoft Office Desktop – don’t want it

    So, not the app but unwanted rubbish installed without my awareness is using up my disk space. To me, installations that happen without my awareness of permission falls within the definition of hacking. QUOTE:
    “A commonly used hacking definition is the act of compromising digital devices and networks through unauthorized access to an account or computer system. Hacking is not always a malicious act”.

  5. Luke said on September 30, 2022 at 3:26 am
    Reply

    Because @ John G. You don’t own your computer or your apps (your data either). I think it’s time to get more heavily into Linux, scummy Microsoft, I wouldn’t necessarily care if it didn’t auto launch itself.

  6. Anonymous said on September 30, 2022 at 2:50 am
    Reply

    “Windows includes no options to prevent the automatic installation of Apps pushed by Microsoft.”

    Presumably the push comes via the Store app so, you could try blocking Store access with your Firewall.

  7. Herman Cost said on September 30, 2022 at 12:13 am
    Reply

    This did not happen to me. Of course, I don’t have a Microsoft account and I delay feature updates for at least a year.

    1. vanp said on September 30, 2022 at 6:18 am
      Reply

      How do you delay updates for more than 35 days–some kind of Registry change? Assuming you’re on W10.

      1. Herman Cost said on September 30, 2022 at 3:03 pm
        Reply

        I run Windows 10 and have Windows Pro. I delay the updates via the group policy editor, as follows: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business > Select When Previews and Feature Updates Are Received > 365 Days.

      2. vanp said on October 3, 2022 at 5:44 am
        Reply

        Thanks, Anonymous and Herman Cost.

      3. Anonymous said on September 30, 2022 at 8:39 am
        Reply

        Anything connected with Windows is a moving target so I’m not sure if this still works but setting ‘metered connection’ used to do the trick for me.
        https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/139722-turn-off-download-updates-over-metered-connections-windows-10-a.html

        You don’t need to ever switch it on if you use Belarc Advisor to tell you what updates are available
        https://www.belarc.com/products/belarc-advisor
        Then download the updates you need via the Microsoft catalog.

        .Net updates pack a lot of installers and a a pain to update manually. You can work around those using ASoft .NET Version Detector
        https://www.asoft.be/index.html

        You need good discipline to run update regularly so your security is reasonably up-to-date.

        I don’t generally do it that way now but pause updates to around the end of the month/beginning of new month using the option in settings. You need good discipline for that, as well.

    2. asda said on September 30, 2022 at 3:08 am
      Reply

      ^^ exactly this. No MS account, feature updates delayed (using GRC’s tiny, effective Incontrol https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm )

  8. Sol Shine said on September 30, 2022 at 12:10 am
    Reply

    Spotify can not do this, so it must be Microsoft.

    It fits Microsoft behavior of overwriiting users settings when Windows gets a upgrade.
    They have little respect for their customers who paid for Windows.

    The worse their behavior gets, the more people they push to macOS and Linux.
    Sadly, most will stay with Windows, because Apple is too expensive, and Linux is too fragmented and needs more tech skills.
    Microsoft knows this and that is why they continue their disgusting behavior.

  9. Jason said on September 29, 2022 at 10:42 pm
    Reply

    This is Microsoft’s computer. They are just letting me use it.

    1. Anonymous said on September 30, 2022 at 8:20 am
      Reply

      Your sarcasm is off the mark. You own the computer. You are licensed to use the OS, which is owned by Microsoft. You pay for the privilege of using that. When you bought you computer, you paid the OEM license (computer companies don’t absorb ANY cost) since then you’ve been paying with your data and the inconvenience when Microsoft shoves updates your way telling you not to shut down. Sometimes for a couple of hours before you get the hint the update stalled. There are other inconveniences, as well. For example, when you don’t perform a driver update from the manufacturers site, Microsoft helpfully updates with a generic driver and you get a BSOD.

      Operating Systems are incredibly complex and I have no doubt the complexity caused by manufacturers hardware contributes enormously. BUT, the Microsoft really need to increase the problems even more by ‘giving’ us programs we don’t want.

      1. No Thanks, CIA said on October 1, 2022 at 2:54 am
        Reply

        You may think you own your computer, but Microsoft has full access to it in Windows’ default configuration. There’s nothing stopping them from snooping around or installing anything they want. They could wipe all your drives and flash your BIOS with an update if they really wanted to. Look at how ransomware works, Microsoft has more access than that.

  10. phira said on September 29, 2022 at 10:40 pm
    Reply

    spotify unwanted software

  11. burned by water said on September 29, 2022 at 8:04 pm
    Reply

    > Windows includes no options to prevent the automatic installation of Apps pushed by Microsoft.

    Doesn’t the EULA basically say Microsoft has root and can add/remove programs at their whim?

    ONE MICROSOFT WAY is like the spoiled rich kid up the street who nobody likes.

  12. John G. said on September 29, 2022 at 7:21 pm
    Reply

    No Spotify here for the moment. I wonder why an app can be installed with no user’s authorization.

    1. Mike said on September 29, 2022 at 8:23 pm
      Reply

      Because it’s another way for Microsoft to make money?

      Think of it as shovelware for the 21st century! In the old days, the shovelware came on floppies or perhaps CD-ROMs which had a production cost that was a rounding error. Now, corporations like Microsoft just reach into your machine over the Internet and install whatever they want to earn a commission from whoever is partnering with them this month.

      I actually really loved the shovelware that came on floppy disks like the AOL free trials in the early 1990s, because I always reformatted those disks and used them for something else. :) Didn’t have to buy disks.

  13. Bart said on September 29, 2022 at 6:47 pm
    Reply

    Kind of makes you wonder what other software can get “accidentally” installed on your PC without you knowing. Of course it happens all the time, but this seems to be a Microsoft related issue.

  14. Mike said on September 29, 2022 at 6:30 pm
    Reply

    Thanks but no thanks. I prefer my mp3 files. There’s no monthly subscription to keep them, there’s no ads, and they do not randomly delete themselves or refuse to play based on where I happen to be geographically located at that particular time.

  15. Aminifu said on September 29, 2022 at 5:58 pm
    Reply

    This also occurred on my Windows 11 configuration. Since I have a lot of space on my storage drive and to keep from having it reinstalled, I just deleted the shortcut on the desktop and disabled the auto-start instead of uninstalling it.

    I also enabled the Windows 11 option to notify me of any new auto-start settings.

  16. MGus.ai said on September 29, 2022 at 5:52 pm
    Reply

    Not only that, it opens when you start your PC. at the first time, I thought I had misclick somewhere. The second time was uninstall time.

  17. Sir_Timbit said on September 29, 2022 at 4:41 pm
    Reply

    Saw this pop up on my laptop last week, can’t recall if it was after the last batch of Windows Updates though. Uninstalled right away. Not impressed Microsoft!

  18. Jillian said on September 29, 2022 at 4:35 pm
    Reply

    I had the same thing happen to me after installing the Sept updates and Windows 11 22H2. I just assumed it was part of the feature upgrade to 22H2.

  19. John C. said on September 29, 2022 at 3:37 pm
    Reply

    Unfortunately, “uninstalling” an “app” (as opposed to an actual *application*) most likely doesn’t removes the app’s files from the hidden WindowsApps folder.

    1. nicolaasjan said on September 30, 2022 at 8:17 am
      Reply

      You can uninstall completely with O&O AppBuster, in which you can choose to uninstall for Current User, All Users or Computer. :)

    2. just an Ed said on September 29, 2022 at 4:42 pm
      Reply

      This was true even with Windows 7. Application removal would often leave data and configuration files behind that would need to be removed manually via folder searches.

  20. JuhaT said on September 29, 2022 at 3:17 pm
    Reply

    Yup, happened to me. When I booted into windows (10) a couple of days ago I noticed Spotify shortcut on the desktop. Uninstalled it immediately.

  21. minxz said on September 29, 2022 at 3:16 pm
    Reply

    Or with winget [winget uninstall -e –id Spotify.Spotify]

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