Microsoft have officially retired all Zune services to be entirely replaced by their new streaming service Groove.

On Sunday Microsoft closed Zune’s stores, ending it’s digital presence after discontinuing production of it’s Zune player in 2011. Zune devices will still be able to play music like an MP3 player, you just won’t be able to transfer music from the Zune Music Service.

Microsoft announced they would be closing the service in September, saying: “As of November 15, 2015, Zune services will be retired. You will no longer be able to stream or download content to your device from the Zune music service.”

This leaves Microsoft’s Groove music streaming service as the sole survivor of Microsoft’s various music stores. Microsoft released Groove in July this year as a revamped Xbox Music that brought numerous improvements and a straightforward service, whereas Xbox Music caused confusion for it’s Xbox branding.

Microsoft have said that any “existing Zune Music Pass subscriptions will be converted to Groove Music Pass subscriptions.” The Groove Music Pass is the new version of both the Zune Music Pass and the Xbox Music Pass, says Microsoft.

The advantage with a Groove Music Pass is that it comes with new features and is usable across any device that can use Groove, including Windows 10, Xbox One, Xbox 360, iOS, Android, Sonos and through Web Browsers on desktop computers. A Groove Music Pass costs $9.99 a month or $99.90 for a year.

Zune players were released in 2006 as Microsoft’s direct competitor to Apples iPod however did not see the success of it’s rival. It did however find a small, loyal following that provided it’s longevity and led to a Zune tattoo as well as the same man trying to change his name to “Microsoft Zune.”

You can get your music on Microsoft Groove as well as other streaming services for free at routenote.com – Europe’s leading digital music distributor.