- Windows 11 integrates widgets and controls Spotify to manage music without opening the full app, either from the widgets panel or the Xbox Game Bar.
- Spotify's desktop Miniplayer offers an adaptable floating player, with full controls and minimal size modes so as not to interrupt your work.
- Widgets like Phone Link complement Spotify by integrating mobile and desktop notifications, creating a convenient control center.
If you use Spotify almost daily and have a PC with Windows 11, you've probably wondered at some point how control the music without constantly opening and closing the app. Between the new system widgetsWith the Game Bar and the official Miniplayer, the experience has improved immensely, and you no longer need to jump from window to window to change songs or pause a playlist.
Microsoft and Spotify's idea is that you can Manage your music quickly, easily, and with minimal obstruction.Whether from the Windows 11 widgets panel, the Xbox Game Bar, or using the floating Miniplayer, all of this integrates quite well with the rest of the system tools, so you can continue working, playing, or browsing without losing control of what's playing.
What is the Spotify widget in Windows 11 and why is it of interest?
In Windows 11, widgets have gone from being a curiosity to becoming a A very quick way to access basic information and controls without abandoning what you're doing. Between ThereWhether it's news or tasks, one of the most useful is the one that allows you to manage Spotify playback from the system itself.
In the specific case of Spotify, Microsoft and the platform itself streaming have worked for integrate controls and shortcuts to your content directly in Windows 11. The idea is to get closer to what we already do on mobile with widgets, but adapted to the desktop, where the space and workflow are different.
The first steps in this integration came through Windows 11 test builds (such as build 25290 for the developer channel), where a A dedicated Spotify widget, along with others like the Phone Link widget.Since then, the experience has been refined, especially by relying on two avenues: the classic Windows 11 widget panel and the Xbox Game Bar.
In addition, there's the official Spotify Miniplayer for desktop, which functions as a floating window always available on top of other applicationsThis component isn't a Windows widget per se, but it serves a very similar function: quick control, minimal size, and without interrupting what you're doing.
Thanks to the combination of these options, it is possible to have a fairly complete experience: Access to playlists, playback control, podcast management, and album art viewwithout having to put aside your game, your text editor, or your browser.
How the Spotify widget works in the Windows 11 ecosystem
The philosophy behind widgets in Windows 11 is to allow the user to view or manage certain information. a fast, smooth way without leaving the main application that you have on screen. In the case of Spotify, this translates to having your playlists, album art, and playback controls accessible with just a gesture or keyboard shortcut.
In the early implementations focused on the widget panel, the Spotify component primarily offered direct access to your account's playlistsFrom there, you could start playing any of them with a simple click on the icon or the associated cover art, without needing to open the main Spotify window.
Once playback was started from the widget, it was possible perform basic actions such as pausing, resuming, or skipping to the next songThe goal is that for day-to-day operations you don't have to open the full app. reducing resource consumption and preventing the Spotify window from being constantly in the foreground.
Another clear advantage of this approach is that, by not depending on the full Spotify interface, the widget can be displayed in a way that Lightweight and discreet, taking up very little screen space. This is especially useful in portable or systems with smaller monitors, where every centimeter counts when arranging windows.
From a user experience perspective, this type of widget integrates with the typical Windows 11 gesture for opening the widgets panel, so that with a click in the lower left area of the taskbar (or using the corresponding touch gesture) you can Display all active widgets and control music on the fly.
In the Windows test channels, Microsoft announced that both the Spotify widget like the one on Phone Link They were part of that same wave of new features. Phone Link handles everything related to your mobile phone (calls, notifications, messages), while Spotify focuses on media playback. Both can be placed on the same panel and coexist with other informational widgets.
Over time, Spotify's integration into the Windows 11 ecosystem has also incorporated the Xbox Game Bar and Miniplayer, expanding the possibilities of control according to the context of use: work, leisure, games or intense multitasking.
Control Spotify from the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11
One of the most practical methods for managing Spotify on Windows 11 is to use the Xbox Game Bar, the overlay that appears with the Win+G key combinationAlthough originally designed for gaming, many users take advantage of it as a quick hub for multimedia widgets.
For the Spotify widget within the Game Bar to function correctly, it is essential that the Spotify application is open and running in the backgroundThe widget does not play music on its own: it acts as a control panel connected to the main app.
The basic usage process is quite straightforward: by pressing Press Win+G to activate the Game BarFrom there, you can select and display the Spotify widget. The first time you do this, it may ask you to log in or authorize access to your account so it can read what's playing and manage playback.
Once authenticated, the Spotify widget in the Game Bar shows you the current track information, album art, play, pause, next and previous buttonsDepending on the version, it may also show the song's progress and allow you to skip forward or backward within the track.
Also, you can choose to Anchor the widget so that it remains visible at all times. (if your Game Bar and overlay settings allow it). This is very useful when you're playing or working in full screen and want to have a small floating panel always at hand.
After setting up the widget for the first time, daily use is as simple as tapping it again. Press Win+G to bring up the Game Bar whenever you need to control your music. You don't have to go searching for the Spotify window or switching virtual desktops.
This form of integration is especially appreciated by those who spend a lot of time playing games or using full-screen applications, since the Game Bar overlaps without closing or minimizing what's underneathThis way, changing songs or adjusting playback doesn't break immersion or take you out of your workflow.
This is Spotify's Miniplayer: a floating desktop widget
Alongside Windows 11 widget support, Spotify has launched its own Miniplayer for desktop application, a small floating window that functions almost like a standalone widget, but is managed directly by the Spotify app.
The Miniplayer arises from a very common need: many users have Spotify always open in the background while they work or study And they're constantly changing songs, adjusting the volume, or modifying options like repeat mode. Doing this involves switching windows over and over again, which really breaks the flow.
The Miniplayer aims to provide those basic controls always available in a compact and non-invasive formatThe floating player can be placed on top of any other application, allowing you to pause, fast forward, rewind and manage the playback queue without having to open the full client.
One of the most interesting features is that the Miniplayer doesn't replace the main Spotify window: both coexist. You can Open or close the Miniplayer without interrupting what you're listening to.and return to the full window when you want to explore new lists, search for artists, or review recommendations.
In the case of video podcasts, the Miniplayer offers a similar experience picture-in-picture, displaying the video in a floating window with integrated controlsThis allows you to continue viewing the content while performing other tasks on your PC, adjusting the window size as needed.
At the interaction level, the Miniplayer also allows manage common functions such as activating shuffle mode, repeating a song, adding or removing tracks from your library with a single click. This reduces the risk of getting lost in playlists and losing focus, something that can easily happen when you open the full app and get carried away by the recommendations.
In addition, the Miniplayer includes efficient shortcuts: by clicking on the artist name, song title, or album coverThis opens the content directly in the main Spotify window. This way, you only jump to the full context when you really need it.
There is one important detail to keep in mind: the Miniplayer is available only to Premium users at the time the feature was described. Therefore, if you have a free account, you can continue using the desktop app and any system widgets, but you won't have access to this native floating player.
Adaptable design and display modes of the Miniplayer
One of the strengths of Spotify's Miniplayer is its adaptable design, designed for Do not disturb and adjust to the available screen spaceIt is not limited to a single shape: it can take on different sizes and proportions depending on what is most comfortable at any given time.
The Miniplayer can work in the following format square, rectangular or on a very thin, elongated barThis allows, for example, having it as a small box in a corner if you want to clearly see the album art and track information, or as a minimal "pill" when you only want the basic control buttons.
Many users end up preferring the mode of “pill” or pill, in a very small sizeThis format leaves the song title and essential controls visible, taking up minimal visual space. It's ideal if you often work with multiple windows open and don't want anything obscuring your main content.
Another advantage is that the Miniplayer It allows you to change the size dynamically.You can open it by dragging it from the edges, just like any other Windows window. You can enlarge it when you want to see the information or a podcast video more clearly, and shrink it again when you want it to be almost invisible.
In many workflows, the Miniplayer ends up placed in some lower corner of the screen, where It does not interfere with menus, toolbars, or dialog boxes.This way, you always have a visual indication of what's playing and instant access to pause or skip tracks without searching for anything.
From a user experience perspective, this adaptive design turns the Miniplayer into a kind of transversal widget that accompanies the user throughout the systemregardless of whether you are browsing, editing documents, programming, or playing games in windowed mode.
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