Stopping Auto update

[Ethereal_V3]

Plan

Premium

Country

US

Device

PC

Operating System

Windows 10

My Question or Issue

I'm wondering how to stop Spotify from auto updating. I got a file to install older version of software since I didn't like the June update, and It auto updated when I restarted my PC.

[hwprinz]

which commands exactly?

[SimplyRayzor]

same

[crosspatch]

I expect it would also work to simply delete the "%LocalAppData%\Spotify\Update" folder, if it exists, and then create an empty text file named "Update" in "%LocalAppData%\Spotify".

Unless the application is clever enough to tell what is going on (and I seriously doubt that it is), this will prevent a same-named (i.e. "%LocalAppData%\Spotify\Update") folder from being created at all. And no need to mess with commands or file system permissions.

I should have been a non-**bleep** and tried my own advice before posting. To my surprise, the 0-byte "Update" file gets blown away as soon as the app starts. Sorry.

[fabiansgz]

use rmdir command.

[JLMar]

Hi
I'm a Spotify paying subscriber.
I write in disappointment to find that all the liked green ticks have now disappeared as a result of the recent upgrade.
As a subscriber and for my use I rely on these ticks to organise my listening.
Very very disappointment that this has been included with Spotify's recent upgrade.
This hinders my use of Spotify.
Please explain the significance the resign behind this decision.
My email:**bleep**
Many thanks!!!
Jerome Marcus

[rednblu]

Yes, terrible the way that Spotify has blocked us from using the Spotify players that actually work-- Terrible.

[hwprinz]

what actual version did you update to?
glad i've not done it yet...
/hw

[user-removed]

It used to be a great platform now they are constantly forcing their algorithms on us so we see the type of music and podcasts that will make them the most cash. I usually have my Task Manager open and 'End task' when i now an update in imminent.

[rednblu]

Has anyone figured out how to get back one of the Spotify players with autoUpdate_Blocked that used to allow us to get a fast Excel listing of Artist, TrackName, and https://... for every track in every playlist under a folder?  Any progress here?  Thanks,

[RichL3]

I trie3s a lot of the suggestions without success. WEnt to Spotify web site, found version 8.1 downloaded - works, no failed ....dll message

[blenif]

okay i did this, but now i want to turn it back to normal.. what do i do. 

[hwprinz]

@blenif

to put the permissions back to default enter:
icacls "%localappdata%\Spotify\Update" /reset /T

/H.W.

[Myszo]

Guys, to make it work you need to open CMD not powershell. If you open powershell and type the command it will give you error: Invalid Parameter. So just press windows key and type cmd and enter.

[Myszo]

Hey, if you want to install legit spotify in older version go to waybackmachine and type the https://www.spotify.com/de-en/download/windows/  Then you just download the file and install the app.

[aerospeace]

How can I achieve all this if since I have do not have admin rights on my machine?
Not normal that in June 2025, when I am paying for a subscription, we are forced to update without any option to opt out!

[hwprinz]

If you read closely and a while back, you will see, that the changes are
done 'only' in the user directories.

just open a terminal window somewhere

go to %localappdata%\Spotify

do:
rm %localappdata%\Spotify\Update

mkdir %localappdata%\Spotify\Update



then:
icacls "%localappdata%\Spotify\Update" /deny "%username%":W



done

for going back to normal:
icacls "%localappdata%\Spotify\Update" /reset /T

next Update will be installed again

Still working ever since that way
thanks

[Ironjamesvane]

Spotify should stop forcing updates on users and focus on making updates people actually want.

A good update sells itself. If users are avoiding updates for years at a time, that’s valuable feedback — not something to bypass with forced update screens.

A lot of longtime users stick with older versions because they prefer the cleaner UI, better performance, fewer unnecessary features, and more stable experience. Forced updates make it feel like users lose control over an app they’ve built years of habits around.

Instead of forcing compliance, focus on:
- preserving usability and customization
- offering “classic” UI options
- improving performance and stability
- reducing feature bloat
- letting users choose when to transition

If updates consistently improved the experience, people wouldn’t fight so hard to avoid them.

[Ironjamesvane]

I don’t think this thread actually represents the point I was making.

My issue is not simply “how do I stop updates.”

I’m talking about a broader product problem where longtime users increasingly avoid updates because updates are often perceived as degrading the experience through UI churn, engagement-focused design changes, loss of simplicity, and forced backend compatibility requirements.

This is especially frustrating when users are eventually hard-blocked from using versions they intentionally stayed on because they preferred the older experience.

That’s a different discussion than disabling automatic updates on Windows.

[hwprinz]

Why do you then post your thing into an already solved thread which is not covering your topic???

[Ironjamesvane]

I didnt, this website automatically merged it into this thread because spotify developers want to avoid all accountability