The Groove Music replacement for Windows 11
Groove Music is gone, but your music library is still there. RoK is a free, open-source music player for your local files, designed for Windows 11 — with smart playlists, synced lyrics and insights about your listening.
What happened to Groove Music?
Groove Music was the default music app of Windows 10. Its streaming service, Groove Music Pass, closed at the end of 2017, and on Windows 11 Microsoft replaced the app itself with the new Media Player.
Media Player plays your files, but it stays deliberately simple. If you enjoyed browsing your own collection in Groove — albums, artists, playlists — RoK picks up where it left off, and goes further.
Groove Music vs RoK
| Feature | Groove Music | RoK |
|---|---|---|
| Still developed | No — replaced by Media Player | Yes, regular updates |
| Designed for Windows 11 | No — Windows 10 era | Yes — native WinUI 3 |
| Albums, artists, genres | Yes | Yes, with artist photos and biographies |
| Smart playlists | No | Yes — rule-based |
| Synced lyrics | No | Yes — with translation |
| Listening insights | No | Yes — history, top tracks, when you listen |
| Equalizer | Yes | Yes — 10 bands, custom presets |
| Mini player | Yes | Yes — compact mode |
| Internet radio | No | Yes |
| Remote control from your phone | No | Yes — built-in web remote |
| Audio formats | MP3, AAC/M4A, WMA, FLAC, WAV… | MP3, FLAC |
| Price | Free | Free and open source |
What you gain with RoK
Understand your listening
Every month, Insights shows your top tracks, albums and genres, how long you listened, and a map of the days and hours you listen the most.
Playlists that build themselves
Smart playlists follow your rules — favorites, years, genres, play counts, ratings — and stay up to date as your library grows. Classic M3U playlists can be imported and exported too.
Thoughtful details
Synced lyrics, media keys, a compact player, and automatic pause when a Teams, Zoom or Discord call starts.
Switch from Groove in three steps
- Install RoK for free from the Microsoft Store.
- Choose your music folder — usually the same Music folder Groove used.
- Let RoK import your library, then recreate your playlists or let smart playlists do it for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Groove Music still available on Windows 11?
On Windows 11, Microsoft replaced Groove Music with the new Media Player app. Its music streaming service, Groove Music Pass, already closed at the end of 2017.
Is RoK free?
Yes. RoK is free, has no ads, needs no account, and is open source under the GPL-3.0 license.
Will RoK play my Groove Music library?
RoK reads the same local music folders that Groove Music used. It currently supports MP3 and FLAC files, and tells you when a folder contains other formats.
Does RoK stream music?
No. RoK is built for the music files you own. It can also play internet radio stations.
Give your library a new home
RoK is free on the Microsoft Store. Also coming from MusicBee? Read RoK vs MusicBee
Get it on Microsoft Store