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Guide · Open source

How to use SpotX: install, update, and uninstall the Spotify patcher

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

SpotX is a free, open-source patcher (MIT licence, written in PowerShell) that modifies the official Spotify desktop client on Windows to block banner, video, and audio ads. This guide explains what it changes, what you need before running it, how to install, update, and revert it, and where it is a poor fit. After reading, you should be able to decide whether to use it and run the install or uninstall steps with an understanding of each prompt.

SpotXSpotX-Official/SpotX · ★ 23.1k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your setup. Confirm you are on Windows 7 to 11, have PowerShell 5.1 or above, and use the official Spotify desktop app rather than the Microsoft Store version.
  2. 2Pick an install type. Choose the new theme, old theme, full, or premium option based on whether you want ad blocking, update blocking, and the theme changes.
  3. 3Run the installer. Download Install_New_theme.bat or run the PowerShell iex command from the README, then confirm each prompt as it appears.
  4. 4Open Spotify and check. Start the client and confirm the changes you chose, such as the new sidebar or the absence of ads.
  5. 5Keep or change updates. If you want to stop automatic updates, use an install option that blocks them; otherwise leave Spotify updates on.
  6. 6Uninstall when needed. Run Uninstall.bat to revert the patch, or reinstall Spotify if you prefer that route.

What SpotX changes in Spotify

SpotX is a patcher for the official Spotify desktop client on Windows. It modifies the installed Spotify app rather than running alongside it, and it performs its changes as a script or batch file during installation.

  • Blocks banner, video, and audio ads in the client
  • Can hide podcasts, episodes, and audiobooks from the homepage (optional)
  • Can block Spotify automatic updates (optional)
  • Changes some native experimental features
  • Disables analytics sending

Check the requirements before you start

SpotX supports Windows 7 to 11 and needs PowerShell 5.1 or above. It works only with the official Spotify desktop version. The README says the Microsoft Store version is not suitable, so install the official desktop client first if you use the Store version.

  • OS: Windows 7-11
  • Spotify: official desktop version (not Microsoft Store)
  • PowerShell: 5.1 and above
  • macOS and Linux are not covered; the README points to the separate SpotX-Bash project for those

Install SpotX with the new theme installer

The simplest route is the new theme installer. You can either download and run Install_New_theme.bat, or run the PowerShell command below. During installation you will need to confirm some actions. The new theme adds a new right and left sidebar and some cover changes. The README also says this option includes all experimental features.

  • Choose the new theme installer if you want the default option
  • Read each prompt before confirming it
iex "& { $(iwr -useb 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SpotX-Official/SpotX/refs/heads/main/run.ps1') } -new_theme"

Choose an install type that fits your needs

The README lists several install types. The Full installation runs without confirmation prompts and bundles several options: podcast hiding, blocking Spotify updates, hiding ad-like sections, and autorunning the client afterwards. The Premium install skips ad blocking and only disables audio ads in podcasts, for people with a premium account. The Old theme install forces version 1.2.13 and blocks Spotify updates, because the old theme was removed in later versions.

Installation with parameters is available for more control. The README links to a discussion page for the full list of parameters, so check that page before using them.

  • Usual (New theme): prompts for confirmation, new sidebars
  • Usual (Old theme): forces version 1.2.13, blocks updates
  • Full installation: no confirmation, many options on
  • Premium: no ad blocking, only podcast audio ads disabled
  • Parameters: see the linked discussion for details

Update or reinstall SpotX

The README describes the same script as the way to install or update the patch. Running the install command again applies the patch to the current client. If Spotify has updated itself and the patch no longer works, rerunning the script is the first thing to try. The Full installation option notes that it installs the recommended version of Spotify and installs over any other client it finds.

If you prefer to keep Spotify from updating automatically, use an option that blocks updates, such as the Full or Old theme installs, or the -block_update_on parameter.

  • Rerun the install command to apply the patch again
  • Use -block_update_on if you want to stop Spotify auto-updates

Uninstall or revert SpotX

To revert the patch, download and run Uninstall.bat from the project. The README also offers a second route: reinstall Spotify, and it recommends the Full uninstall Spotify tool linked in the README for a clean removal.

  • Option 1: run Uninstall.bat
  • Option 2: reinstall Spotify, optionally using the linked full uninstall tool
Uninstall.bat

What people use it for

  • Removing banner, video, and audio ads from the official Windows Spotify desktop app
  • Hiding podcasts, episodes, and audiobooks from the homepage with the Full or -podcasts_off option
  • Stopping Spotify from auto-updating so an installed patch keeps working
  • Reverting a patched client with Uninstall.bat when you no longer want the changes

Frequently asked questions

Is SpotX free?

SpotX is released under the MIT licence, as stated in the project's listing. The README does not list any price, so you can verify the licence text in the repository before using it.

What are the requirements for SpotX?

The README lists Windows 7 to 11, the official Spotify desktop version (not the Microsoft Store version), and PowerShell 5.1 or above. macOS and Linux are not supported by this project; the README points to SpotX-Bash for those.

How do I install SpotX?

Download and run Install_New_theme.bat, or paste the PowerShell command from the README into PowerShell. You will be asked to confirm some actions during installation.

How do I uninstall SpotX?

Download and run Uninstall.bat from the project. Alternatively, reinstall Spotify, and the README recommends a full uninstall tool for a clean removal.

Does SpotX work with the Microsoft Store version of Spotify?

No. The README says the Microsoft Store version is not suitable, so you need the official desktop version from Spotify's site.

Is SpotX safe to use?

The README's disclaimer says SpotX modifies the official Spotify client and is provided as an evaluation version, so use it at your own risk. It is not a risk-free change, and it is not supported by Spotify.

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Our verdict

SpotX suits Windows users of the official Spotify desktop app who are comfortable running a PowerShell script, reading its prompts, and accepting that the tool modifies the client at their own risk. If you use the Microsoft Store version, need Spotify's automatic updates, or run macOS or Linux, pick another option such as SpotX-Bash for those systems or Spicetify for theme customisation.

Install options & downloads