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.wma

Windows Media Audio

Commonly known as WMA

Microsoft's proprietary audio codec with tight Windows integration. developed by Microsoft and released in 1999, it has become a standard for Windows Media Player, Legacy Windows applications, DRM-protected content.

Key Features

  • Good compression efficiency
  • DRM support
  • Native Windows support

Limitations

  • Limited non-Windows support
  • Proprietary format
  • Less popular than MP3

When to use WMA?

The WMA format is ideal for Windows Media Player, Legacy Windows applications, DRM-protected content. Its MIME type is audio/x-ms-wma.

How to open .wma files

  1. macOS: Use native Preview/Quick Look or import into professional apps that support WMA.
  2. Windows: Open via Photos, Media Player, or dedicated editors by enabling the relevant codec pack.
  3. Browser: Drag the file into FileConvert to transform it into a universally supported alternative before sharing.

Popular Conversions

Convert WMA to...

WMA to MP3
WMA to WAV
WMA to AAC
WMA to OGG
WMA to M4A
WMA to FLAC

Convert to WMA

MP3 to WMA
WAV to WMA
OGG to WMA
AAC to WMA
FLAC to WMA
ALAC to WMA

FAQs about WMA

How do I open a .wma file?

You can open WMA files with native tools on Mac, Windows, and Linux or convert them for free using FileConvert.

Is WMA still relevant in 2025?

WMA remains essential for Windows Media Player thanks to its good compression efficiency benefit.

How do I convert WMA into other formats?

Visit our WMA conversion directory to switch between Windows Media Audio and 200+ alternatives without uploading files.