Microsoft is killing off Groove Music and helping its users switch to Spotify instead. The Groove Music app will live on in Windows 10, but both the streaming service and the option to download music from the Windows Store are disappearing. And with that the Zune era comes to an undramatic end.

In 2004 Microsoft launched MSN Music as a rival to Apple's iTunes. Then, in 2006, MSN Music gave way to Zune, which encompassed hardware, software, and a streaming music service. In 2012 Zune was rebranded with the Xbox moniker. Then, in 2015, Xbox Music was reborn as Groove Music. And now...

Groove Music Concedes Defeat to Spotify

And now Groove Music will be just a media player for your Windows 10 PC. In a Windows Blog post, Microsoft announced it's killing the streaming service, called Groove Music Pass, and discontinuing the option to purchase new music from the Windows Store. Microsoft will continue to support the Groove Music app as the primary means of playing and managing music in Windows 10.

Rather than leave Groove Music Pass users in the lurch, Microsoft is helping them move to Spotify. The option to stream, purchase, and download music through the Groove Music app will end on December 31, 2017. And sometime between now and then Microsoft will update the Groove Music app to allow users to "transition existing music collections and playlists to Spotify with a few clicks."

Microsoft explained, "We’re expanding our partnership with Spotify to bring the world’s largest music streaming service to our Groove Music Pass customers. Beginning this week, Groove Music Pass customers can easily move all their curated playlists and collections directly into Spotify."

Microsoft Makes Sensible Decision Shocker

It would be easy to see this as a negative move on Microsoft's part. But actually, the company has made an eminently sensible decision. Groove Music was never going to succeed. Whereas Spotify is established, beloved, and utterly brilliant. So why muddy the waters with another bit-part player when you have the market leader willing and able to take those tens of users off your hands?

What do you think of Microsoft killing Groove Music? Did you ever try Groove Music Pass? Or purchase music from the Windows Store? If you're currently a Groove Music Pass subscriber are you happy to be switched over to Spotify instead? Please let us know in the comments below!