Groove Music Ending -- What You Need to Know

[Corrine]

Microsoft to shutter its Groove Music service and migrate users to Spotify | ZDNet:

Groove Music Pass -- the Microsoft streaming music service formerly known as Zune Music and later Xbox Music before being rebranded to "Groove Music" in 2015, is one of Microsoft's few purely consumer-focused cloud services.

Microsoft will continue to run Groove Music Pass until the end of calendar 2017. After that point, those users with any remaining months of paid subscription to the service will be reimbursed. Starting this week, Microsoft will be encouraging those using Groove Music to migrate their playlists and music to Spotify.

Microsoft will continue to update the Groove Music application on all Windows devices, however, allowing those who have music stored in OneDrive to continue to play and manage their music through that app. But after December 31, 2017, the Groove Music app will no longer allow users to stream, purchase or download music.

Also see: Microsoft to bring Spotify to Groove Music Pass customers - Windows Experience BlogWindows Experience Blog and Groove Music and Spotify: FAQ.

Most importantly, note: Music will not be available for purchase or download from Groove after December 31, 2017.

 

[Digerati]

Microsoft will be encouraging those using Groove Music to migrate their playlists and music to Spotify

Hmmm, that's interesting. I am actually sad to hear this. Spotify is great but I much prefer Pandora over Spotify - especially when used with the really great (and free!) Pandora desktop client, Pandorian which lets you listen to and control your music ad-free - and without a browser. :)

Speaking of great music, RIP Tom Petty. Really a shock to hear he passed at just 66.

 

[Corrine]

There is a Spotify app in the Windows Store.

The main take-away for Groove users is if they purchased anything using Groove Music, make sure everything's been downloaded before the service is shut down.