How to Install Navidrome on Windows (Easy Guide)

There was a time when we stupidly stored all our music collection on the hard drives of the computers. This not only took tons of GBs to keep the heavy music files on local storage, but it also slowed down the performance of the operating system. Occupying the major chunk of the hard disk space, these files sit idly for years. Music lovers want to keep all the tracks, even the ones they have not listened to for a long time. They do not want to delete even a single track from their collections. The memories and attachment from music compel them to keep the entire collection, burdening the load and narrowing down the space. Let’s find out how you can install Navidrom on Windows easily by following this simple step-by-step guide.

Thanks to technology, which always surprises us with wonders. Navidrome is one such invention that will eliminate the need for low memory, the pain of deleting a song from your list, or losing your collection entirely as a result of a hard disk failure.

With Navidrome, you can set up your own music server not only for yourself but also for the general public. Share your music with others and let them brighten their moments with your collection. It is an open-source music streaming server that can be accessed via different iOS, Android apps, and PC based operating systems. You can think of it as a reliable and free alternative to SoundCloud that offers wide options for establishing a streaming server, which is available on multiple devices from anywhere in the world. Music lovers and enthusiasts can optimize their PC for music production by following this guide!

Table of Contents
How to Install Navidrome on Windows
Step 1: Download and Install the Required Software
Install FFmpeg
Install Docker (Optional, for Advanced Users)
Step 2: Download Navidrome
Step 3: Run Navidrome on Your Windows PC
Step 4: Access the Admin Panel and Configure Your Library
Configure Your Music Library
User Management and Access Settings
Step 5: Enjoy Streaming Your Music
Step 6: Update Navidrome Regularly
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Conclusion

How to Install Navidrome on Windows

Before jumping into the installation process, you need to make sure that a few things are in place. The following are the prerequisites for setting up Navidrome on Windows:

1. Windows PC – Navidrome works on any Windows version. You’ll need a Windows PC with an updated operating system (preferably Windows 10 or later) to ensure compatibility.
2. Music Library – Gather your music files, including MP3s, FLACs, and any other audio formats that Navidrome supports. Your music collection is key to making the most out of the server.
3. Internet Connection – While the server runs locally, you may want to access your music remotely. This requires an internet connection, especially for setting up external access.

With everything ready, let’s dive into the installation process!

Step 1: Download and Install the Required Software

Before installing Navidrome, there are a few pieces of software you’ll need to get everything up and running. These are FFmpeg and possibly Docker, if you prefer that route. Let’s start with FFmpeg, which is essential for transcoding music.

Install FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a powerful multimedia tool that Navidrome uses for audio processing and transcoding. To install it:

1. Visit the official FFmpeg website: FFmpeg Download.
2. Choose the Windows version and download the ZIP file.
3. Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a folder, such as C:\ffmpeg.
4. To make FFmpeg accessible from anywhere, add it to your system’s environment variables:
   • Right-click This PC, select Properties, and click Advanced System Settings.
   • Under System Properties, click Environment Variables.
   • In the System Variables section, select Path, then click Edit.
   • Add the path to the bin directory inside the FFmpeg folder you just extracted (e.g., C:\ffmpeg\bin).
   • Click OK to save the changes.

Once FFmpeg is installed, Navidrome will be able to use it to transcode audio files, making it possible to play files on any device, even those with different format requirements.

Install Docker (Optional, for Advanced Users)

If you want to install Navidrome using Docker, here’s what you need to do:

1. Download Docker Desktop from Docker’s official site.
2. Install Docker and follow the setup instructions.
3. After installation, Docker will run in the background, allowing you to easily install Navidrome as a containerized application.

While Docker is optional, it’s an excellent choice for users who prefer containerized applications, as it simplifies management and reduces compatibility issues.

Step 2: Download Navidrome

Now it’s time to download Navidrome itself:

1. Go to the Navidrome GitHub page: Navidrome GitHub.
2. Download the Windows release of Navidrome from the “Releases” section. You should receive a ZIP file containing the necessary files to run the server.
3. Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a location on your PC, such as C:\Navidrome.

Once extracted, you can proceed with starting the Navidrome server.

Step 3: Run Navidrome on Your Windows PC

With Navidrome downloaded and extracted, let’s run the server:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + R, typing cmd, and hitting Enter.
2. Navigate to the folder where you extracted Navidrome. For example: cd C:\Navidrome
3. To start the server, type the following command: navidrome.exe
4. This will start the server and allow you to access it through your web browser.

Step 4: Access the Admin Panel and Configure Your Library

Once the server is running, you need to access the Navidrome Admin Panel to configure your settings:

1. Open your web browser and enter the following URL: http://localhost:4533
2. This will bring you to the Navidrome login page. The default username and password are both admin. For security purposes, it’s recommended to change the password after logging in.

Configure Your Music Library

1. Click on Settings in the sidebar.
2. Under the Library section, click Add Folder and select the folder on your PC where your music is stored.
3. Navidrome will automatically index the music files in the folder, adding them to the database and making them available for streaming.

At this point, you can add your entire music collection to the server. You can also choose to categorize your music by artist, album, or genre for easier browsing.

User Management and Access Settings

• Under User Settings, you can create additional accounts for other people who wish to access your Navidrome server. You can assign roles, create usernames, and set unique passwords for each user.
• You can even restrict access to certain parts of the library if needed.

Step 5: Enjoy Streaming Your Music

With everything set up, it’s time to start enjoying your music:

1. Open your web browser and visit the following address to access Navidrome: http://localhost:4533
2. You can start creating playlists, organizing your music, and streaming tracks directly from your server.

If you want to access Navidrome remotely, you need to set up port forwarding on your router. By forwarding port 4533, you can access your Navidrome server from any device, even when you’re not on the same local network. You may also want to set up a VPN for secure access.

Step 6: Update Navidrome Regularly

It’s crucial to keep Navidrome up-to-date to ensure you have access to the latest features and bug fixes. You can visit the Navidrome GitHub page regularly for new releases and follow the instructions provided there for updating your server.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the setup process is generally straightforward, you may encounter a few common issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot them:

1. Unable to Access Navidrome:
   • If you can’t access Navidrome from your browser, make sure your firewall allows traffic on port 4533.
   • Double-check that the Navidrome service is running by checking the Command Prompt for any error messages.
2. Music Files Not Showing Up:
   • Ensure that you’ve correctly added the music folder in the Library section of Navidrome settings.
   • Make sure your music files are supported by Navidrome and are not corrupted.
3. Slow Performance:
   • If you experience slow performance, reduce the number of simultaneous streams or users accessing the server.
   • Check your network connection to ensure it’s not the source of the slowdown.

If you are a music enthusiast, this might be of interest to you. Find out what the best open-ear Bluetooth headphones are for you to enjoy loud music with decent sound quality!

Conclusion

Setting up Navidrome on Windows allows you to create your own personal music streaming server, providing you with full control over your music collection. With easy setup steps and the flexibility of accessing your music on any device, Navidrome offers an excellent solution for music lovers who want more from their music experience.

Enjoy streaming your music anytime and anywhere with Navidrome!