Earlier this yr, Spotify underwent a big redesign on Home windows 11. Along with the redesign, one of many latest updates improved how the music streaming platform handles hyperlinks on Home windows 11. After the replace, the Spotify app routinely opens the open.spotify.com hyperlinks.
Up till not too long ago, once you opened Spotify hyperlinks shared by your good friend, the Home windows 11 app opened the net browser after which supplied an choice to open the Spotify app. This occurred as a result of the Spotify app lacked help for “protocol handlers”. After a latest replace, Spotify for Home windows has lastly registered itself because the handler for particular URLs.
This implies once you click on a hyperlink beginning with spotify: or open.spotify.com, Home windows is aware of to open the Spotify app as an alternative of an internet browser. It’s potential for any internet app to really feel extra native on Home windows 11 by registering them as handlers for particular protocols or file sorts.
It’s a fairly neat change that makes Spotify really feel extra native to Home windows 11. In the event you open Spotify hyperlinks, the music will routinely and instantly be highlighted within the Spotify app.
Sounds good, proper? There’s really a option to manually add registry keys to register a protocol handler.
Right 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 exhibits off how we register handlers for particular URLs. Within the above code, we’re instructing Registry Editor to change HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT with a brand new 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 below this new key. Lastly, the code provides an open key below 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”).
That is principally how Spotify has registered itself as a protocol handler to really feel extra native on Home windows 11.
Talking of Spotify on Home windows 11, it’s now on par with macOS model, with options like a mini participant accessible to everybody. To entry the mini participant, all it’s worthwhile to do is click on the participant icon (rectangle with a small rectangle), and also you’ll see a participant above the system tray.
In accordance with references noticed by Home windows Newest, the mini participant will quickly really feel extra native on Home windows 11 with Mica/Fluent Design contact, but it surely’s unclear when the characteristic can be rolled out within the steady model.
Do you just like the latest adjustments to Spotify on Home windows 11? Tell us within the feedback under.