Unacceptable Advertising in Windows 8/RT Xbox Music App

By MorganX
in Microsoft (Windows)

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

MorganX

Posted
Posted

Can anyone else confirm that even when playing personal music library using the Xbox Music app on Windows 8 (in my case Surface RT) random audio ads (commercials) will pop-up between songs or playlists?

Again, this is not using the freebie Xbox Music subscription, when playing you own music library. I'm hoping it was an anomaly. This would be unacceptable to me.

Grand Master

Calum Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

I haven't experienced this myself (as I haven't used the Windows 8 Music app for any personal music?I just use Spotify), but someone I know posted a Facebook status update about it the other week, so it seems as if it might be working like that :/

Veteran

neo158

Posted
Posted

Can anyone else confirm that even when playing personal music library using the Xbox Music app on Windows 8 (in my case Surface RT) random audio ads (commercials) will pop-up between songs or playlists?

Again, this is not using the freebie Xbox Music subscription, when playing you own music library. I'm hoping it was an anomaly. This would be unacceptable to me.

It's probably because you're streaming your music library and not downloading and playing the albums.

Grand Master

MorganX

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It's probably because you're streaming your music library and not downloading and playing the albums.

I'm going to copy my entire music library over to see if this takes care of the issue.

Mentor

Clirion

Posted
Posted

Can anyone else confirm that even when playing personal music library using the Xbox Music app on Windows 8 (in my case Surface RT) random audio ads (commercials) will pop-up between songs or playlists?

Again, this is not using the freebie Xbox Music subscription, when playing you own music library. I'm hoping it was an anomaly. This would be unacceptable to me.

I can confirm it does not play ads when using your Personal Music.

If you use the Smart DJ feature or stream music you do not own, it will play ads.

Grand Master

MorganX

Posted
  • Author
Posted

as opposed to the Xbox Music App which is a _______ ?

Thanks, you saved me the trouble.

  • siah1214 and bandit_liberty_rumble
  • Like 2
Grand Master

MorganX

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yep I've had ads appear while my own music is playing (not streaming). It's so annoying that I gave up on the Xbox Music app.

I think using a cloud synced playlist is the culprit. Even though the files are local, it takes a while to find them locally and streams if available. It requires more work than Zune, iTunes, or WMP but I think it's going to do what I want. I hope. I'm tired of little third party apps that should be in the base OS. That includes Zune. With the Phone Sync app, if I can get my playlists the way I want, no more Zune.

It would have been nice if there were a more direct way to sync music and videos from desktop to Surface. :/

Grand Master

MorganX

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ads DO NOT appear while playing locally stored music.

I noticed that streaming icon on one of the songs on a synced playlist. There is no manual library update that I see so I'll have to wait for it to find everything locally then hopefully that will be the end of that.

I was on Bluetooth headphones and having the ridiculous add pop-in made me think my Surface had malware! I'm OK with the ads on free apps and such, but audio/video, interrupting a playlist, not good.

Grand Master

+Ryster Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted

So after all the nonsense, we finally arrive at the the realisation that the Xbox Music app does not play ads when listening to local music. Only when playing playlists with content streamed from Microsoft's online service. In other words, exactly the same as Spotify and every other streaming media service. In other words, a total non-issue. Can we move on now?

Grand Master

MorganX

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So after all the nonsense, we finally arrive at the the realisation that the Xbox Music app does not play ads when listening to local music. Only when playing playlists with content streamed from Microsoft's online service. In other words, exactly the same as Spotify and every other streaming media service. In other words, a total non-issue. Can we move on now?

I just ignore the haters, I'm using the Xbox Music App it's inner workings aren't exactly documented, it's learn as you go. All the playlist functionality is there, just like Zune you just have to play with it, a lot.

I'm not happy the Xbox Music app seems to take forever to match your local music to a synced playlist but I do have a large library. I just wish there were a manual process to do it. It leaves A LOT to be desired but once you have everything synced and figure out the convoluted UI I see no reason for another app.

Discovering the Xbox Music app on the Surface is not optimal, I suppose I should spend more time with it on my desktop, but I prefer WMP there.

Grand Master

MorganX

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I just opened up Xbox music after reading this thread, it's pretty cool. :laugh:

I use iTunes everywhere else in the house, but at least this keeps me from installing Spotify.

Agreed, but it needs lots of updates. If all your music is purchased from Xbox Marketplace I'm sure it's Nirvana. But it needs to do better with private libraries and finding songs on all devices with synced playlists. The matching is alright but only available on desktop Win 8 right now. :/

Searching for songs is cumbersome to say the lease but that's another topic.

Since I only use playlists for my phone, I just have to decide where I'm going to sync my Lumia 920 when it gets here and create the playlists there since a synced lists only finds local files that it has information for in it's cloud database.

  • threetonesun
  • Like 1
  • 1 month later...
Neowinian

Luca Leen

Posted
Posted

So after all the nonsense, we finally arrive at the the realisation that the Xbox Music app does not play ads when listening to local music. Only when playing playlists with content streamed from Microsoft's online service. In other words, exactly the same as Spotify and every other streaming media service. In other words, a total non-issue. Can we move on now?

Just for clarify:

My music stay on my NAS and added as folder in music collection of windows.

I receive audio ADS between my songs and every X times the music stop playing and a message appears asking me for buy xbox pass or continue the playing. UNACCEPTABLE!

Grand Master

zhangm Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

I had ads occur with increasing frequency, until it was stopping and playing an ad after every song. As far as I know, I was only playing locally stored music (synced between computers via Skydrive). Got ****ed off and uninstalled the app.

Grand Master

Brandon Live Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Just for clarify:

My music stay on my NAS and added as folder in music collection of windows.

I receive audio ADS between my songs and every X times the music stop playing and a message appears asking me for buy xbox pass or continue the playing. UNACCEPTABLE!

It sounds like you aren't playing local music, but instead are using the free streaming feature. This could be because you're used cloud-synced playlists. One thing you can try is turning off the "Xbox Music Cloud" option in the Settings charm, under Preferences.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Posts

    • Samsung, Amazon extend 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD deal beyond Prime Day 2026

      By seeprime · Posted

      I like to reminisce about the good old days, way back in autumn 2025 when building a gaming machine was fun and the drives were about $150 when you caught a deal. Yes duh, back in the day we had it gone. Then baby Skynet came along, hiding in AI datacenters demanding more processing power until it reached singularity. End of a not totally fictional story.
    • Bypassed Windows 11 shows surprising stability on ancient, completely unsupported hardware

      By +Spark99 · Posted

      My experience in the past with older Windows 11 builds was not great on unsupported machines but I recently used Rufus to put the latest build on a older 5th Gen Core Thinkpad T that we upgraded with a SATA SSD and 8GB of RAM four years ago when hardware was reasonable and it seemed pretty fast and solid. Customer is very happy with the performance and will probably get four more years out of that venerable laptop that he loves so much. Another customer just retired his Dell Studio laptop from 2009 running Windows 10. It got an SSD over 10 years ago and did everything he needed it to for 17 years but he also retired last year and is happy doing everything on his iPad now.
    • Apple's newest AirTag 2 gets first big discount

      By TarasBuria · Posted

      Apple's newest AirTag 2 gets first big discount by Taras Buria In late January 2026, Apple introduced its second-generation AirTag trackers, bringing a refresh to the old model that has been on the market for half a decade. Now, you can get these new trackers at an all-time low price, thanks to the first big discount that brought the price down by 17% on Amazon. While the second-generation AirTag looks identical to its predecessor, it packs meaningful upgrades inside. The second-gen ultrawideband chip works 50% farther than the original AirTag, allowing you to detect lost items in a wider range. In addition, the second-generation AirTag features an upgraded Bluetooth chip for extended range and a significantly louder speaker (up to 50%) so that you can hear it better when locating a lost item. Note that the second-gen AirTag only works with iPhones and iPads that run iOS/iPadOS 26 and newer, so you need a compatible device to use the tracker. Like the original AirTag, the AirTag 2 is available in two packs: one and four pieces. Both are now available at a notable discount on Amazon, and you can purchase them using the links below. Apple AirTag 2 tracker - $24 | 17% off on Amazon Apple AirTag 2 tracker (four-pack) - $89 | 10% off on Amazon Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S.- specific and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Tidal won't monetize AI slop music, company says

      By monterxz · Posted

      I've been on Deezer for over a decade, but glad that Tidal joined them in fighting AI slop. Can't stand such takes as Spotify's: "Spotify's CEO recently pushed back against listeners who call AI music "slop," urging people to stop using the term and instead embrace the creative potential of AI music."
    • Why it's almost impossible to produce a smartphone in the United States

      By Cosmocronos · Posted

      “Could” … in the IS the healthcare is run by insurance companies that make indecent profits denying basic treatments to people that are paying money for nothing. Besides, where are all the Trump epigones who were stating that the tariffs were going to paid by foreign companies and not the US citizens? …

  • Recent Achievements

    • Reacting Well
      NovaEdgeX earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Week One Done
      NovaEdgeX earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      BA the Curmudgeon earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Conversation Starter
      rosiecharles earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • First Post
      KMilenkoski1202 earned a badge
      First Post

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      538
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      266
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      151
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      98
    5. 5
      macoman
      66
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!