Microsoft has finally fixed a cool Windows 11 Spotify feature – so what took so long?
Windows 10 users have been left out in the cold, though
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Microsofthas just fixed one ofWindows 11’s neatest features - one that Chief Product Officer Panos Panay called a ‘game-changer’ when it was first introduced back in 2021.
The pre-loaded Clock application inWindows 11has long included a feature that allows you to link up yourSpotifyaccount and set it to play specific productivity-focused playlists while you’re employing the niftyFocus Assistfeature.
However, as previously noted byNeowin, the functionality had been broken for months (since at least February 2023, potentially longer), and despite Spotify trying to rectify the issue, it turned out to be an expired certificate on Microsoft’s end breaking the feature. Users attempting to link their Spotify account to Windows Clock would be met with a blank screen and an endless “Connecting to a service” message.
Thankfully, it looks like the problem is now resolved - in part, it seems, due to Neowin’s diligent reporting. When Spotify confirmed that the bug was Microsoft’s fault, Neowin reached out to the Windows creator to report the issue. Lo and behold, a few weeks later, the problem has been fixed; you can now hook up your Spotify account to the Clock app with no difficulties.
Microsoft, please love all your children equally
However, it looks like the problem is still lingering inWindows 10- when I tried to connect my Clock app to Spotify on my personal desktop PC (after checking for system updates), I got the same empty white window.
Microsoft has been getting more and more aggressive in its efforts topush users to upgrade to Windows 11, but this feels like a spectacular low point. If the problem is something as simple as an expired certificate for Spotify’s API access, why not fix it for bothWindows 10and 11?
Look, I don’t hate Windows 11 (although Microsoft’s recent boo-boo overads in the Weather appdid make me chuckle). I use it on my work laptop and it’s fine - in fact, it’s steadily improving, graduallyadding great featuresand gathering pace among users. It’s been on the rise for a while in terms of adoption - a quick look at the OS section of theSteam Hardware and Software Surveyshows that Windows 11 is now eating into its predecessor’s share of the PC gaming space with impressive speed.
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But as my colleague Darren recently said,Microsoft should be using the carrot, not the stick, to boost Windows 11 adoption. I love Windows 10 - why don’t you, Microsoft? It’s one of the bestoperating systemsever made, and I don’t want to feel forced to abandon it because you’re not willing to fix simple bugs thatcanbe fixed in its successor.
It’s also frankly not a good look that it took more than three months - and a direct complaint from a tech news site - to fix such a simple problem. Come on, Microsoft. Oh, and you can stop with all theBing AInonsense. If I wanted anAI on my desktop, I’d just useChatGPT.
Christian is TechRadar’s UK-based Computing Editor. He came to us from Maximum PC magazine, where he fell in love with computer hardware and building PCs. He was a regular fixture amongst our freelance review team before making the jump to TechRadar, and can usually be found drooling over the latest high-end graphics card or gaming laptop before looking at his bank account balance and crying.
Christian is a keen campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights and the owner of a charming rescue dog named Lucy, having adopted her after he beat cancer in 2021. She keeps him fit and healthy through a combination of face-licking and long walks, and only occasionally barks at him to demand treats when he’s trying to work from home.
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