Microsoft quietly revealed via an Xbox support page that it will soon eliminate one of the key perks of Xbox Music: The ability to freely stream (ad-supported) music from the Windows and web versions of the Xbox Music client



From Supersite for Windows:

This change will make Xbox Music less of a no brainer for Windows users, and while I agree that an Xbox Music Pass subscription solves the problem nicely, not everyone wants to pay.

And frankly, when it comes to Xbox Music, Microsoft needs all the help it can get. The firm doesn't advertise the amazing capabilities of this platform—which I coincidentally just described in Microsoft Consumer Services: Xbox Music—which work in concert to make it superior to competing solutions such as Spotify, Beats Music or whatever.

  Microsoft is Discontinuing Free Xbox Music Streaming