Microsoft listened to its fan feedback and added Spotify to Windows Game Bar, an interface that gives users quick access to Windows gaming services. The Game Bar is an overlay that’s embedded in the Windows 10 OS and can be launched using the Win + G shortcut keys. It is integrated with some cool features, like the ability to record clips and capture screenshots on your desktop.
Before Spotify was accessible via the Game Bar, you had to switch between the game and the media player to skip or change a song. This process could be cumbersome for many. However, all that changed when Microsoft added the Spotify widget to the Windows 10 Game Bar. Now, you can enjoy your favorite Spotify music while playing your PC games.
If you haven’t tried out this feature already, join us as we tell you how to use Spotify in the Windows 10 Game Bar.
What You’ll Need to Use Spotify on Windows 10
Install the Spotify Music App from Microsoft Store
First, you need to have the Spotify Music app installed on your computer. Previously, you had to download the official Spotify app from the Spotify website. Now, you can get it for free from the Microsoft Store, which is of course, the ideal option. After all, getting apps from the Store would mean that updates will be installed automatically in the background as soon as they are available. Before anything else, remember that you need a Spotify account.
To download Spotify:
- Go to the Microsoft Store on your PC by clicking on its icon at the Taskbar or searching for Microsoft Store via the Start menu.
- In the Microsoft Store window, click on Search, type “Spotify” (no quotes) in the search box. Press the Enter key on your keyboard.
- Select the Spotify Music app from the list of results, and you’ll be taken to its store page within the Microsoft Store.
- Click on Get to download the Spotify Music app to your computer. The download should start automatically, and it shouldn’t take long. Once it’s completed, you’ll get a system notification. If you don’t, simply go back to the Microsoft Store app and click Launch to open the Spotify Music app.
Alternatively, you can download Spotify directly from the official Spotify website.
Login to Your Spotify Account
Once the Spotify app has been installed on your PC, you’ll need to sign in or sign up to use it. If you already have a Spotify account, use the same account to log in. If you don’t, you’ll need to create a new Spotify account.
To sign in, launch the Spotify Music app on your Windows 10 device and select Log In. If you don’t have an account, select Sign Up and follow the prompts to create your own account.
How to Play Spotify on Windows 10
After you’ve successfully logged into your Spotify account, you should see your music library. You can now enjoy your favorite tracks on your Windows 10 PC, create new playlists, and listen to radio stations or podcasts.
The Spotify Music app is free, giving you access to all your music and playlists. You can even customize it by editing the playlists and your favorite tracks. However, for a better experience with no ads or commercials, you can upgrade to Spotify Premium at $9.99 per month.
With the upgrade, you get the ability to download music to enjoy them offline, better audio quality, and unlimited song skipping, among other features.
How to Use Spotify While Playing PC Games on Windows 10
Now that you have the Spotify app on your machine, we’ll show you how to use it while gaming. First, you need to launch the Xbox Game Bar by pressing the Windows + G keys simultaneously. Once the Game Bar overlay appears on your screen, follow these steps:
- Click on the Widget Menu icon and select Spotify from the list of overlays that appears.
- On the pop-up screen, you should see the Link Account option that lets you link your Spotify account to Game Bar. Click on this button, fill in your account details, and click Log In.
- If you want to listen to music while playing games, select Agree to give Xbox Game Bar permission to connect to your Spotify account.
- For easy and quick access to the Spotify app on the Game Bar, you need to add its shortcut to the Game Bar toolbar, which will appear as a green icon. To do so, select the Widget Menu icon and click on the star next to Spotify.
The Spotify player will appear as a floating window at the bottom right corner of your screen whenever you launch the Game Bar overlay. The player shows the current song that’s playing and playback controls, such as the option to shuffle songs.
You can also mark the current song as a favorite by clicking on the heart-shaped button. If you want to change the current playlist, click on the Browse function. A new overlay, labeled Spotify, will pop up, from where you can choose the songs that you want to play while enjoying your PC games. Keep in mind that you can only use this overlay to select your favorite playlist, not to search for songs.
The Spotify widget also allows you to choose the device that you want to listen to Spotify on. Simply click on the Devices button at the bottom right corner of the Spotify player and choose the device you want.
That’s it! Now you can enjoy gaming while listening to your favorite tunes on Spotify, without the hassle of changing between apps. How cool is that” Have you tried the new Spotify widget on your Windows 10 PC? Share your thoughts by commenting below.
Pro Tip: Optimize Your PC for Gaming with a Single Tool
As much as you’d enjoy using Spotify while playing PC games on your Windows 10 computer, nothing is as frustrating as game lags or your games crashing frequently. This can be caused by a device with low specifications to support the game. Other issues like junk files, invalid entries, and corrupt keys in your registry can also cause the lags.
You see, every time you use your system, some junk files are left behind from various sources, including web browser cache, Microsoft Office cache, unused error logs, etc. Likewise, the constant installation and uninstallation of applications and software leave behind entries in the registry, which can cause system stability issues.
To prevent your apps and games from lagging, freezing, or crashing unexpectedly, you need to run regular system maintenance. We know it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we recommend using Auslogics BoostSpeed, a PC optimization tool that tweaks your system for optimal performance.
Auslogics BoostSpeed not only clears junk files and cleans the registry to restore system stability, but it also removes unneeded applications and file duplicates, defragments your drives, and helps to protect your privacy, among other functions. You’ll find an array of utilities, all designed to boost your PC’s performance. The application even allows you to schedule automatic maintenance, ensuring that your computer runs as fast as new every time you use it.
