Spotify is a widely used digital music streaming service that offers a large collection of songs, podcasts, and videos from various genres and artists. It’s a favorite platform for many music enthusiasts as it provides personalization, automation and customization features. Spotify updates are necessary as they patch up bugs and security issues, improve performance and add new features, but sometimes the updates can cause inconveniences. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing how to prevent Spotify from updating.
Video Tutorial:
Why You need to Prevent Spotify from Updating
There are several reasons why a user may want to prevent Spotify from updating. Firstly, some users prefer to stick with the already-working version of Spotify they have, knowing that their existing software is stable and secure. Sometimes, the new Spotify updates come with bugs and issues that create problems for users. Secondly, if a user has limited internet data, new updates may consume a significant amount of data. Thirdly, some updates may come with features that are not useful to users, and they don’t need them.
Method 1: Using TORCHESS
TORCHESS is a freeware software that can disable automatic updates and prevent software from updating. TORCHESS works on Windows 7, 8 and 10. Follow these steps to stop Spotify updates via TORCHESS:
1. Download and install TORCHESS on your device.
2. After installation, launch TORCHESS, and select the application from the drop-down list.
3. Locate and select the Spotify application
4. Navigate to the block new application paths, and select add new
5. In the paths section, type "Update" and add it to the blocked list by clicking on “ok.”
6. At the bottom of the screen, click the "apply" button to save the changes.
Pros:
– It is free to download and install.
– It can be used for Windows 7,8 and 10 operating systems.
Cons:
– TORCHESS comes as a program file to install, which may be risky to users who do not install software often.
– It blocks all updates for the app, so users may not receive new features or security updates.
Method 2: Edit the Hosts File via Command Prompt
The host file is a text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses. It is located in the Windows System32/drivers/etc/ directory. By editing the hosts file via command prompt, you can redirect the Spotify update traffic to a non-existent website. Follow these steps to prevent Spotify software from automatic updates via command prompt:
1. Launch Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type in "notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts" and press Enter.
3. The file will open in Notepad. Use the down arrow to navigate to the end of the last line.
4. Type "127.0.0.1" and then press the space bar once.
5. Type in "hosts.spotify.com" and press Tab, then type a pound "#" symbol.
6. Hit Ctrl + S to save the changes. Restart your system or Spotify.
Pros:
– This method is quick and easy to implement.
– It is free and does not require any additional software.
Cons:
– It may not prevent high cybersecurity threats. This method must be complemented by antivirus software.
– This method requires command prompt knowledge, which may be difficult for beginners.
Method 3: Using Firewall
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on previously established security rules. Follow these steps to prevent Spotify updates via the Windows firewall:
1. Open the Windows Start menu and click on Windows Security.
2. Click on the Firewall & network protection button.
3. In the "Windows Security" window, click on "Advanced Settings."
4. From the new window that opens, scroll down and click on “Outbound Rules.”
5. Click on “New Rule” on the right-hand side of the screen.
6. Choose “Program,” click “Next,” find the Spotify application in the list, and click “Next” again.
7. In the “Action” section, select “Block the connection.”
Pros:
– This method protects your computer from external malware threats when blocking Spotify.
– The built-in Windows firewall does not require additional software.
Cons:
– It may result in system instability when incorrectly configured.
– It may block more than just automatic updates.
What to Do If You Can’t Prevent Spotify from Updating
Sometimes, automatic updates may still occur even after applying the methods above. If automatic updates continue despite trying the methods detailed earlier, there are two extra things to do:
1. Uninstall Spotify and download the previous version. Users may prefer to downgrade if a feature update is not of use to them.
2. Turn off your internet connection before opening Spotify. Turning off the internet connection will prevent Spotify updates.
Bonus Tip
You can further secure your internet connection using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). By hiding your IP address, VPNs allow you to use Spotify without internet trackers monitoring your activity. Besides, VPNs grant you access to geo-locked features, making it useful for international users.
5 FAQs
Q: Why do I need to prevent Spotify updates?
A: Users may prefer to stick with the already-working version of Spotify, knowing that their existing software is stable and secure.
Q: Can I downgrade to a previous version of Spotify?
A: Yes, uninstall Spotify and download the preferred version.
Q: Will blocking Spotify updates via methods above prevent new features?
A: Yes, blocking Spotify updates via methods above may prevent new features.
Q: Can firewall blocking prevent malware threats?
A: Yes, firewall software can protect an individual’s computer from incoming malware threats.
Q: Can VPNs improve cybersecurity?
A: Yes, VPNs improve internet connection security by encrypting the user’s internet traffic and hiding their IP address.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the three methods we have discussed above are cost-effective and easy to implement. The methods, TORCHESS and the hosts file, help prevent Spotify automatic updates by disabling and redirecting updates through nonexistent websites. On the other hand, Windows firewall blocks all outgoing connections to Spotify. These methods will aid computer users with limited data and safeguard their system from attacks.