To download music on Windows 11, you have three legitimate options: use a streaming app with a paid subscription for offline listening, transfer your own music files from another device, or play local files with the built-in Media Player. Each method suits a different need, from saving playlists for travel to building a personal library from existing MP3s. If you want to create your own tracks first, you can download GarageBand on Windows to start composing.
Download music with the Spotify app
To download music from Spotify to your computer for offline listening, you need a paid Spotify Premium subscription. Open the Spotify app on your Windows 11 PC, then navigate to a playlist or album you want to save. Click the Download arrow button or toggle switch next to the playlist or album name. Note that individual songs cannot be downloaded directly; you must download an entire playlist or album. After the download completes, enable Offline Mode by clicking the three dots at the top of the screen, selecting File, then choosing Offline Mode. This ensures only downloaded music plays, saving your data connection.
Download songs with the Apple Music app
The official Apple Music app for Windows 11 can be installed from the Microsoft Store. With an active Apple Music subscription, you can download tracks for offline playback. To download an Apple Music song to files, open the Apple Music app, find a song or album, and click the download icon. Remember that music downloaded from streaming services is encrypted and can only be played within the app, it cannot be exported as standard audio files.
Transfer your own music files to your PC
If you already own MP3 or other music files on another computer or an external drive, you can bring them onto your Windows 11 PC. Use File Explorer to copy the files from a USB drive or external hard drive, then paste them into a desired folder, such as the Music folder on your Windows 11 PC. This method works for any standard music file format and does not require a subscription. To download MP3 music files you already own, simply transfer them this way.
Play your music with the new Media Player
The new Media Player app is preinstalled on Windows 11 and serves as the default multimedia player for local music and video collections. It has replaced the older Groove Music app, which is no longer available for download from the Microsoft Store. To play your transferred files, open the Media Player app and point it to your Music folder. Note that the Media Player itself does not download music; it plays files you already have. If you are looking to download music in Windows Media Player, understand that this app is for playback only; use the streaming apps or file transfer methods above to get music onto your PC first.
