Spotify feels more native on Microsoft Windows 11 with improved URL integration

Earlier this yr, Spotify underwent a big redesign on Microsoft Windows 11. In addition to the redesign, one of many latest updatess improved how the music streaming platform handles hyperlinks on Microsoft Windows 11. After the updates, the Spotify app robotically opens the open.spotify.com hyperlinks.

Up till lately, if you opened Spotify hyperlinks shared by your buddy, the Microsoft Windows 11 app opened the net browser after which provided an choice to open the Spotify app. This occurred as a result of the Spotify app lacked help for “protocol handlers”. After a latest updates, Spotify for Microsoft Windows has lastly registered itself because the handler for particular URLs.

This means if you click on a hyperlink beginning with spotify: or open.spotify.com, Microsoft Windows is aware of to open the Spotify app as a substitute of an internet browser. It is feasible for any net app to really feel more native on Microsoft Windows 11 by registering them as handlers for particular protocols or file varieties.

It’s a fairly neat change that makes Spotify really feel more native to Microsoft Windows 11. If you open Spotify hyperlinks, the tune will robotically and instantly be highlighted within the Spotify app.

Sounds good, proper? There’s really a strategy to manually add registry keys to register a protocol handler.

Here’s an instance:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmyapp]
@="URL:MyApp Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmyappshell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmyappshellopen]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmyappshellopencommand]
@=""C:PathToMyApp.exe" "%1""

The above code reveals off how we register handlers for particular URLs. In the above code, we’re instructing Registry Editor to switch HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT with a latest key for a protocol (e.g., myapp). We’re additionally setting the default worth to a reputation for the protocol (e.g., MyApp Protocol).

Then, we’re including a shell key beneath this latest key. Finally, the code provides an open key beneath the shell key and units the default worth of the command key to the trail of your app, adopted by “%1” (e.g., “C:PathToMyApp.exe” “%1”).

This is principally how Spotify has registered itself as a protocol handler to really feel more native on Microsoft Windows 11.

Speaking of Spotify on Microsoft Windows 11, it’s now on par with macOS model, with options like a mini participant out there to everybody. To entry the mini participant, all you could do is click on the participant icon (rectangle with a small rectangle), and also you’ll see a participant above the system tray.

According to references noticed by Microsoft Windows Latest, the mini participant will quickly really feel more native on Microsoft Windows 11 with Mica/Fluent Design contact, however it’s unclear when the function will probably be rolled out within the steady model.

Do you just like the latest modifications to Spotify on Microsoft Windows 11? Let us know within the feedback under.