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Block Spotify Live Tile hosts

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: HighSystem Functionality Loss Risk: High
    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script enhances privacy by preventing the Spotify application from fetching and displaying live updates on its Live Tile 1.

Spotify, known for being pre-installed with Windows 2, can collect data in the background without user consent.

This script stops the transmission of real-time data to the Spotify Live Tile 1, which may contain user-specific content or usage patterns.

Live Tiles, a feature within UWP apps, automatically collect and display updated information directly on the Start menu, without opening the app 3. The Live Tiles feature, once available on Windows 8.1 and 10 4, has been replaced by the Widgets feature in Windows 11 5.

Caution

Using this script may have side effects on Spotify functionalities beyond the Live Tile, potentially influencing other app features or the Spotify website experience 6.

Blocked Hosts​

The blocked hosts are:

  • spclient.wg.spotify.com 1
Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Block Spotify Live Tile hosts" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Block Spotify Live Tile hosts" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Block Spotify Live Tile hosts
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Add hosts entries for spclient.wg.spotify.com
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$domain ='spclient.wg.spotify.com'; $hostsFilePath = "^""$env:SYSTEMROOT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"^""; $comment = "^""managed by privacy.sexy"^""; $hostsFileEncoding = [Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.FileSystemCmdletProviderEncoding]::Utf8; $blockingHostsEntries = @(; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv4"^"";  IPAddress = '0.0.0.0'; }; @{ AddressType = "^""IPv6"^"";  IPAddress = '::1'; }; ); try { $isHostsFilePresent = Test-Path -Path $hostsFilePath -PathType Leaf -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to check hosts file existence. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; if (-Not $isHostsFilePresent) { Write-Output "^""Creating a new hosts file at $hostsFilePath."^""; try { New-Item -Path $hostsFilePath -ItemType File -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully created the hosts file."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; exit 1; }; }; foreach ($blockingEntry in $blockingHostsEntries) { Write-Output "^""Processing addition for $($blockingEntry.AddressType) entry."^""; try { $hostsFileContents = Get-Content -Path "^""$hostsFilePath"^"" -Raw -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to read the hosts file. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; $hostsEntryLine = "^""$($blockingEntry.IPAddress)`t$domain $([char]35) $comment"^""; if ((-Not [String]::IsNullOrWhiteSpace($hostsFileContents)) -And ($hostsFileContents.Contains($hostsEntryLine))) { Write-Output 'Skipping, entry already exists.'; continue; }; try { Add-Content -Path $hostsFilePath -Value $hostsEntryLine -Encoding $hostsFileEncoding -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output 'Successfully added the entry.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to add the entry. Error: $_"^""; continue; }; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Block Spotify Live Tile hosts" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
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This category includes scripts that block network connections to third-party applications that collect data. These scripts stop your system from sending ...

— Block third-party app hosts

Same Goal​

Another guide in Block third-party app hosts See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Block Dropbox telemetry hosts

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process