Windows
Downloading Groove Music for Windows 10 through the Microsoft Store is your best shot at reviving the app—even if it’s no longer officially supported.
If you’ve ever clicked that shortcut and gotten a dead-end error, you’re not alone. The good news? Microsoft still hosts the files, and with a few clicks, you can restore your entire library—no third-party risks.
Below, I’ll walk you through the official process, system checks, and what to do if the download fails.
How to reinstall Groove Music on Windows 10 via Microsoft Store (Step-by-Step guide)
Microsoft discontinued Groove Music in 2019, but the app remains installable via the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 users. If your Groove Music shortcut vanished or the app crashed, this guide restores it using the official method.
I’ll walk you through pre-installation checks, Store account setup, and troubleshooting common errors like "app not available" or corrupted downloads.
Before starting, ensure your Windows 10 version is 1809 or newer (Groove Music requires this). Check via Settings > System > About. If your PC runs an older build, update via Windows Update—this app won’t install otherwise.
Also, verify your Microsoft Store account is active (a Microsoft account, not a local account).
⚠️ Critical Note: Groove Music’s cloud library syncing is disabled post-discontinuation, but you can still use it locally. For offline playback, transfer your music files manually to the app’s folder (%localappdata%\Microsoft\Music\Downloads).
Step-by-Step: Reinstall Groove Music via Microsoft Store
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Step 1: Open Microsoft Store
Press Win + S, type "Microsoft Store", and open it. Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.
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Step 2: Search for Groove Music
In the search bar, type "Groove Music" and press Enter. If the app appears, skip to Step 4.
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Step 3: Fix "App Not Available" Errors
Error A: "This app isn’t available in your country" → Use a VPN to connect to the US server (Groove Music is region-locked).
Error B: "Your device isn’t supported" → Ensure your Windows 10 build is 1809+ (update via Settings > Update & Security). -
Step 4: Install Groove Music
Click "Install" and wait for the download (typically 50-100MB). Avoid interrupting the process—corrupted installs trigger errors.
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Step 5: Verify Installation
Open Start Menu > Groove Music. If it launches but shows "No music added", manually transfer files to %localappdata%\Microsoft\Music\Downloads.
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Step 6: Troubleshoot Launch Issues
Issue: Groove Music crashes on launch → Run WSReset.exe (reset Microsoft Store cache) or reinstall via PowerShell:
Get-AppxPackage ZuneMusic | Remove-AppxPackage
If Groove Music still refuses to install, your Windows 10 version might be too old. As a workaround, use the Windows 10 App Troubleshooter (built into Settings) to detect and fix app-related issues.
Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Windows Store Apps > Run the troubleshooter.
Once installed, Groove Music will appear in your Start Menu and File Explorer under "Music". However, its cloud sync features (like OneDrive integration) are non-functional. For a full music library experience, pair it with a local file manager or third-party tools like MusicBee or foobar2000.
Pro Tip: If you relied on Groove Music’s playlist syncing, back up your playlists via %appdata%\Microsoft\Music\Playlists before reinstalling. Copy this folder to an external drive—it may restore playlists after a fresh install.
For users stuck with Windows 11, Groove Music is unavailable. Microsoft replaced it with the Microsoft Music app (a web-based player), but it lacks offline playback. If you’re upgrading, consider VLC Media Player or Spotify as alternatives.
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Fixing missing Groove Music files: manual recovery and library transfer methods
If your Groove Music files vanished after Windows 10 updates or app uninstalls, don’t panic. The music itself often remains hidden in your OneDrive or local storage, waiting to be rediscovered.
I’ll show you how to locate these files and transfer them to a new device without losing a single track.
First, check your OneDrive cloud storage—Groove Music automatically syncs files here when enabled. Navigate to OneDrive in File Explorer, then look under the "Groove Music" folder. If it’s missing, your files might still be buried in the Music library folder at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Music.
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- Backup your Music folder before attempting recovery
- Avoid third-party "fix" tools—they often contain malware
- Use Windows Search with .mp3 or .wma filters if files are scattered
To transfer your library to another device, start by copying the Music folder from your old PC to a USB drive or external SSD. On the new device, paste it into the same C:\Users\[NewUsername]\Music location.
Reinstall Groove Music via the Microsoft Store, then open the app—your music should now appear in the library.
For playlists, check the AppData folder at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.ZuneMusic_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState. Here, you’ll find playlists.xml—a backup file containing all your curated lists. Copy this file to the same location on your new PC after reinstalling Groove Music.
If syncing with OneDrive failed, manually upload your Music folder to OneDrive.com, then access it from any device. This method works even if Groove Music itself is no longer installed. For future protection, enable OneDrive Files On-Demand to keep your library accessible without consuming local storage.
Remember: Groove Music’s discontinuation doesn’t mean your music is lost. With these methods, you can reclaim your entire library—playlists, ratings, and all. The key is patience and knowing where to look. Now go recover that music!