mrpond / blockthespot

Video, audio & banner adblock/skip for Spotify

BlockTheSpot

A multi-purpose adblocker and skip-bypass for the Spotify for Windows (64 bit)

Please support Spotify by purchasing premium

Last updated: 15 June 2024
Last tested version: Spotify for Windows (64 bit) 1.2.41.434.g39a25e2c

Features:

• Unlocks all premium features except downloads, and "Very High" audio quality.
• Lives through Spotify updates. No need to patch Spotify after every update anymore.

Experimental features from developer mode

• Click on the 2 dots in the top left corner of Spotify > Develop > Show debug window. Play around with the options.
• Enable/disable feature by yourself in realtime and on demand.
• Choose old/new theme(YLX).
• Enable right sidebar.
• Hide upgrade button on top bar.

⚠️ This mod is for the Desktop Application of Spotify on Windows only and not the Microsoft Store version.

Installation/Update:

• Just download and run BlockTheSpot.bat

or

Fully automated installation via PowerShell

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12; Invoke-Expression "& { $(Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mrpond/BlockTheSpot/master/install.ps1') } -UninstallSpotifyStoreEdition -UpdateSpotify"

Manual installation

1. Browse to your Spotify installation folder %APPDATA%\Spotify
2. Download chrome_elf.zip from releases
3. Unzip dpapi.dll and config.ini to Spotify directory.

Uninstall:

• Just run uninstall.bat or
• Remove dpapi.dll and config.ini from Spotify directory. or
• Reinstall Spotify

BlockTheSpot with Spicetify Installation/Update:

• Just download and run BlockTheSpot + Spicetify.bat then answer the prompts when given

BlockTheSpot with Spicetify Uninstall:

spicetify restore
rmdir -r -fo $env:APPDATA\spicetify
rmdir -r -fo $env:LOCALAPPDATA\spicetify
rm -fo $env:APPDATA\spotify\dpapi.dll
rm -fo $env:APPDATA\spotify\config.ini

Disabling Automatic Updates

The automatic update feature is enabled by default. To disable it:

1. Navigate to the directory where Spotify is installed: %APPDATA%\Spotify.
2. Open the config.ini file.
3. Set Enable_Auto_Update to 0 under the [Config] section.
4. Save your changes and close the file.

Automatic updates will now be disabled. If you wish to update, you'll need to do so manually.

Additional Notes:

• Installation script automatically detects if your Spotify client version is supported, or not. If the version is not supported, you will be prompted to update your Spotify client. To enforce client update, supply an optional parameter UpdateSpotify to the installation script.
• Spicetify users will need to reapply BlockTheSpot after applying a Spicetify themes/patches.
• If the automatic install/uninstall scripts do not work, please contact Nuzair46.
• For more support and discussions, join our Discord server.

blockthespot's Issues

Must Report this Issue.

While running the batch file, if anyone encountered this error. Please report here as a new issue. And also include the No. of times you have run the batch files after the last system startup.

[Info] Latest version supported by the project

Hi mrpond,

Just a information about the latest release of chrome_elf, still blocking the ads in Spotify version 1.1.41.634.gc2c73ca7 (stable)
Here's the pics to review 👍

Request - The BAT should always download the last chrome_elf.zip

As title

Currently the user has to always download the last version of chrome_elf.zip, and then run the bat.

I think that it will be more userfriendly if the bat also download the last chrome_elf.zip from github.

Some ads are played

Describe the bug
Following this comment #10 (comment)

Here is the datalog.txt containing json dump: datalog.zip
Looks like another domain is used to retrieve files: creativeservice-production.scdn.co (bypassed by scdn.co which is whitlisted)
You can also see calls for ads from tubemogul.com (previously added in blacklist).

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Windows 10
• Spotify Version: 1.1.18.611.g9cc9bdc9

Is there a way to disable Spotify auto-updates?

Title

Still getting audio ads

I am getting audio ads on the latest version of Spotify on Windows 10
Region: New Zealand
Important

• Make sure you use latest spotify before report a bug.
• Make sure you use latest blockthespot before report a bug.
• Make sure again... blockthespot dll got replace after spotify update, recheck this

Describe the bug
A clear and concise description of what the bug is.

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: [e.g. Windows 10]
• Spotify Version: [e.g. 1.1.27.472.gf6574b97]
• BlockTheSpot Product Version: [right click chrome_elf.dll -> Details]

Additional context
Add any other context about the problem here.
If ad blocking is not working, please include a debug Log by

1. edit config.ini and set Log = 1
2. after ads song play close spotify
3. zip the main_log.txt, utility_log.txt

Any songs stopped near 0:06

just play any song with newest spotify and newest chrome_elf, the song will always stop near 0:06 second.

OS: Windows 10
Spotify: 1.1.40.508.gd5bc2931
chrome_elf: 2020.8.17.16

Unable to load recently played songs list

It is normal that the application is unable to load Recently Played list? Can't remember the chrome_elf.dll version. Spotify is 1.1.19.480
everything else works perfectly

https://imgur.com/a/QIPaTNv

A lot of songs refuse to play with this installed

OS: Window 10
Spotify Version: 1.1.31.703.g256add22
BlockTheSpot Product Version: 0.51.0.0

Ads back at version 1.1.20 Nov. 24, 2019

Ads definitely back at v1.1.20.

Black rectangle in place of removed ads

Screenshot of problem

latest 0.51 doesn't work, use v0.50 from the releases and install manually.

@mrpond The latest release by appveyor doesn't work. it seems like the dll is corrupted. the v0.50 is working perfectly.

Still ads

Hello,
Since weeks, I have ads after 2-3 songs. I tried to uninstall fully Spotify (using Revo Uninstaller to be sure to kill everything from previous version) and reinstall but nothing to do, there are always ads playing.
I have only this problem on my desktop computer (on Win 7), everything seems to work fine with my laptop computer (on Win 10) even though they are both connected on same network.
I don't use proxy nor customised DNS.
I read that previously some people from France (where I live) and Italy had same problem, don't know if it still the case for them and if there's a link...

You'll find enclosed listed DLLs for spotify.exe

Thanks for your work and your support

dllspotify.txt

Installation/Update

Okay, Let's continue it here.
here my idea

$url = "https://github.com/mrpond/BlockTheSpot/releases/latest/download/chrome_elf.zip"
$filename = "chrome_elf.zip"
cd $Env:temp

if(Get-Process -Name Spotify) { 
    $oReturn=[System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox]::Show("Spotify Running Click OK to terminate","BlockTheSpot",[System.Windows.Forms.MessageBoxButtons]::OKCancel)	
    switch ($oReturn) {
        "OK" {
            Stop-Process -Name Spotify
        }
        "Cancel" {
            $oReturn=[System.Windows.Forms.Messagebox]::Show("Cancel","BlockTheSpot")
        } 
    }
}

$oReturn=[System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox]::Show("Click OK to download","BlockTheSpot",[System.Windows.Forms.MessageBoxButtons]::OKCancel)	
switch ($oReturn){
    "OK" {
        #Install-Module -Name PowerShellForGitHub -Force
        #if($?) { 
            #Set-GitHubConfiguration -DisableTelemetry -SessionOnly
            #$release = Get-GitHubRelease -OwnerName mrpond -RepositoryName BlockTheSpot -Latest
            #$url = $release.assets | Select-Object browser_download_url, name

            #$filename = $url.name
            Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $url -OutFile $filename
            if($?) { 
                if(Test-Path -Path $filename) {
                    Expand-Archive -Force $filename
                } else {
                    $oReturn=[System.Windows.Forms.Messagebox]::Show("$filename not found!","BlockTheSpot")
                }
            }
            else {
                $oReturn=[System.Windows.Forms.Messagebox]::Show("Download failed!","BlockTheSpot")
            }
        #}
    }
    "Cancel" {
        $oReturn=[System.Windows.Forms.Messagebox]::Show("Cancel","BlockTheSpot")
    } 
}

these banners started popping up today for me

Improving language of readme

Hi,

I just wanted to update the readme with a few potential corrections in English for some of the wordings used. I think they will help clarify your project and make it look a little neater.

I will simply attach the markdown file in text format (as GitHub won't allow .md files to be uploaded) and let you decide if you would like to push these changes.

README.txt

Thanks for all your work.

Auto-installer not working

When I run BlockTheSpot.exe from the folder I get this:

I tried just pressing enter and then i get this:

BlockTheSpot.bat dont download spotify proprely

Latest Windows Defender removes the patch.

Latest update signature definition 1.313.1268.0 seems to block the patch as threat. After the latest Defender update, Spotify never opened and that's when I noticed this.

How to download the latest version?

As stated in the project summary, last update is 11 December v0.38 but the available file to download is 0.37. Can you please add v0.38?

Sidebar Facebook

Any chance we can bring back the facebook friends sidebar on the right ?

Last.fm scrobbling

Desktop
Win10 latest 1903
1.1.15.448.g00fba0e3

Does this break Last.fm scrobbling? It doesn't seem to be working (over a period of several days). Scrobbling is working fine on my mobile app.

Edit: Nevermind, stupid me didn't think to test with original dll. Works fine with original. After disconnecting and reconnecting the functionality, seems like delayed scrobbling is working (but not live), good enough.

Now you can't even download the chrome_elf.zip file w/o windows defender blocking it

Describe the bug
Chrome claims virus detected, and then Windows Defender comes up saying it detected a "threat"
I used to be able to at least download the adblocker, but now the av seems to catch it at download.

Songs don't play

Describe the bug
Songs don't play. They start playing and the timer continues, but no sound comes from spotify. Before installing this, everything was working fine, so it isn't an issue with my audio setup.

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Windows 10 1909
• Spotify Version: 1.1.35.458.g891674f3
• BlockTheSpot Product Version: 0.51.0.0

Spotify 1.1.43.700 won't launch after applying BTS 2020.9.16.21 patch

Describe the bug
Spotify released an update on 27-28/Sep (1.1.43.700) when apply the newest patch of BlockTheSpot (2020.9.16.21) can't launch Spotify anymore (error message).

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Windows 10 (2004)
• Spotify Version: 1.1.43.700
• BlockTheSpot Product Version: 2020.9.16.21

Additional context
https://i.imgur.com/ooWnYZl.png

Spotify Connect and Lastfm scrobbling broke

BlockTheSpot's dll is blocking Spotify Connect and Lastfm scrobble for me. Only on desktop. Tested the original chrome_elf and it's working.

Desktop:

• OS: Windows 10
• Spotify Version: 1.1.15.448.g00fba0e3

Spotify - Microsoft Store

Hello,
I tested your're add-blocker on the latest version of Spotify from Microsoft store, & it's working like a charm, Thanks you. 👍

ads are back

Describe the bug

All the ads are back. :(

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: [Windows 10]
• Spotify Version: [1.1.15.448.g00fba0e3 (but they are back since 1.1.14)]

Additional context
ListDLLs: https://pastebin.com/EY1cP1ej

anyway, thank you for maintaining BlockTheSpot!

Spotify premium sponsored banner

Describe the bug
All ads are blocked, except the spotify premium banner on the home tab.
Instead of 'Home' as heading, the banner is displayed(possibly covering the heading).

Desktop:

• OS: Windows 10 Version 1903
• Spotify Version: 1.1.17.543.geb9254e9

Additional context
I started using BlockTheSpot only recently, so I don't know if it is even possible to block the premium banner. I am using v0.26.

Recently played songs do not update

Important

• Make sure you use latest spotify before report a bug.
• Make sure you use latest blockthespot before report a bug.
• Make sure again... blockthespot dll got replace after spotify update, recheck this

Describe the bug
For some reason, the recently played songs do not seem to update. Spotify is also not able to check what I have been listening to and not giving any new "Made for you" playlists. Uninstalling BlockTheSpot seems to fix it. Here's what I've been stuck with when using BlockTheSpot:

It's been like this for a long time and not changing at all.

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Windows 10 1909 18363.418
• Spotify Version: 1.1.41.634.gc2c73ca7
• BlockTheSpot Product Version: 0.51.0.0

Another Windows Defender false positive

Falsely detected threat: Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml
Screenshot

Songs won't play

Describe the bug
The playlists doesn't show the songs that are in it, and I can't play anything if I try to play a song after searching it.
https://i.imgur.com/obx7SVC.png

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Windows 10
• Spotify Version: 1.1.15.448.g00fba0e3

Additional context
https://pastebin.com/r6ivdACr

Versions

Does it work with all spotify versions, even the latest? Is it possible to leave updates active?

Missing chrome_elf.zip file

Apparently every chrome_elf.zip file, even from releases, are missing, making the code not to work.

Stuck with the app!

Hi there,

First, I apologise since this is not exactly a bug of BlockTheSpot, but this issue is making it impossible for me to use BlockTheSpot and I have no idea why it's happening or how to resolve it.

Recently, I have been unable to install the desktop version of Spotify!! I removed the app from my system, and did a fresh install using BlockTheSpot.bat. But when I try to run Spotify, there's only the app! Even the installation through BlockTheSpot ends up with the app! And then naturally the ads are not blocked at all.

When I try to install the desktop version myself, the same thing happens. I seem to automatically install the app, no matter what I do!

I'm using the latest version of BlockTheSpot, on Windows 10 Pro [build 18363].

Any ideas how this is happening? I would appreciate any tips!

Cheers!

Move to Gitlab? (or elsewhere)

As someone advised here, maybe it can be a good idea

https://www.reddit.com/r/Piracy/comments/fs88qg/new_blockthespot_spotify_ad_blocker_v051_by_mrpond/fm0zj6j/

Maybe even on IPFS can be a good idea :)

Can this be useful? https://fleek.co

Is it possible to add the discord integration premium features like join listening party?

A way to join that party. Usually it need spotify premium.

Windows Defender - Threat found

It doesn't immediately detect it, but usually after around 5 days, defender will detect chrome_elf.dll as Trojan:Win32/Fuery.C!cl and delete it, requiring me to reinstall it. Is it a false positive or is there something I'm missing?

recently played solved

I found the solution to the problem
in the smartphone app there is an option called 'show only local devices'
when I enabled it that menu called "recently played" is reappeared on the home of spotify on the smartphone app
which practically updates the songs played and shows if you have listened to them from the playlist "liked songs" or from the artist
in the settings of the devices tab of spotify this option "local devices is missing"
all devices are detected but that section does not appear only from the pc app that option is missing

Lower Ad banner at Friend's User profile

v1.1.19

*Edit, banner is empty but it's there

"Spotify can't play this right now" error

windows 10
v.26 dll moved over
1.1.16.522.g55a4b852

not sure if it's an issue with spotify or blockthespot. a few weeks ago (haven't used spotify in a while) i had this working no problem with your dll.

BlockTheSpot Partially Working

Describe the bug
Banners are blocked and also most of the audio ads, however after a while you listen to the same playlist it plays some audio ads
I don't think the issue is my lib being replaced since I've tried replacing it with the patched one multiple times on the same version, and the bug was happening anyways

Desktop:

• OS: Windows 10 build 1903
• Spotify Version: 1.1.17.543.geb9254e9

Additional context
ListDLLs log: https://pastebin.com/faXpXBB7

Facebook sidebar still not work

I uninstalled and reinstalled completely both Spotify and the patch
but same issue I can't seem to make the friends sidebar appear although it seem to work on my laptop
any ideas ?

BlockTheSpot.bat fails to download chrome_elf.zip

Below is what shows up in the command prompt

---

Author: @Rednek46

---

Stopping Spotify...

Downloading latest patch (chrome_elf.zip)...

Exception calling "DownloadFile" with "2" argument(s): "The request was aborted: Could not create SSL/TLS secure
channel."
At C:\Users\JARAINES\Downloads\BlockTheSpot-master\ps.ps1:51 char:3

• $webClient.DownloadFile(

• + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (:) [], MethodInvocationException
  + FullyQualifiedErrorId : WebException
  
  
  

cmdlet Start-Sleep at command pipeline position 1
Supply values for the following parameters:
Seconds:

suggestion for new installer

There is no problem with the current installer and it works amazing.

Just wanted to suggest another method to install without manually installing the script. cuz if I were to do it manually, I would as well manually put the dll in the right place.

to install:

iwr https://tools.maximousblk.now.sh/BlockTheSpot.ps1 | iex

to uninstall:

$rm=$true; iwr https://tools.maximousblk.now.sh/BlockTheSpot.ps1 | iex

using powershell of course

not saying to use my script, but something similar

more info: tools.maximousblk.now.sh/BlockTheSpot

solution for Mac Os X

Hi,
you have a solution also for Mac OS X?

Update Required

not working on latest build 1.1.22.633.g1bab253a

FB Login Not Working

Describe the bug
The "Login with Facebook Button" is not working, when clicked does nothing.

Desktop

• OS: Windows 10
• Spotify Version: 1.1.15.448.g00fba0e3

Recently Played Never Updates and in the home it's disappeared

I downloaded the new version of blockthespot but the problem remains nothing has changed
I changed the log file from 1 to 0
i copied the new version to spotify folder [obviously it's closed it's not open]
the recently played it's never updated anymore
and in the home of spotify it doesn't appear that section
i didn't use a facebook account I have the free spotify account
I listen to the songs but that section doesn't update it doesn't count the songs you listen to
i think this is a spotify bug i don't think it's blockthespot

Resource slowdown on startup

Resources load very slowly after DNS filter was integrated. This includes cover art and status of the internet (marked as offline for a few seconds on startup).

Desktop

• OS: [e.g. Windows 10]
• Spotify Version: 1.1.19.480.g7d17e3ce