File Extension Database

Open WMA File

A file with the WMA extension is a Windows Media Audio file.

Microsoft created this format, thus becoming a proprietary, lossy format to compete with MP3, so it is often used for streaming music online.

There are multiple subformats of WMA, including WMA Pro, a lossy codec that supports high-resolution audio.

WMA Lossless, a lossless codec that compresses audio without losing quality.

WMA Voice, a lossy codec intended for applications that support voice playback.

WMA is 'sister' to the WMV file which is the Windows Media Video file format, also developed by Microsoft.

ASF is a video and audio container format also developed by Microsoft that often contains WMA or WMV data.

Open a WMA file

Windows Media Player is the best program to open WMA files because it is included in most versions of Windows.

However, you can play WMA files on other operating systems with third-party software such as VLC, MPC-HC, AllPlayer, MPlayer, and Winamp.

How to convert a WMA file

If you don't want to use the WMA format, you can try to convert it to other more common formats.

Many free file converters can be used to convert a WMA file to another audio format such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, M4R, and more.

Some of them have to be installed on your computer before you can use them, but others can work completely in your web browser.

For example, VLC is an excellent program for converting between formats, whether audio or video.

Procedure to convert a WMA file with VLC

Open the program
In the 'Media' menu, look for 'Convert/save'
In the dialog box that appears, click on the 'Add' button
Find the WMA track to convert
Then in the 'Convert/Save' button choose the preferred output audio format
And finally, choose the folder where the destination file will be saved.

The process can take from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of the file and the processing capacity of your computer.

Software to open and work with a WMA file

Typical WMA application file locations:

%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:5 /Open "%L"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:5 /Play "%L"

Typical WMA mime types:

audio/x-ms-wma

Frequently used application names to open WMA files:

Windows Media Player

Frequently associated Windows objects:

Microsoft.Zune.2.WMA
WMAFile
WMP11.AssocFile.WMA

How Can I Open WMA File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open WMA file is to find a WMA file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a WMA file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open WMA file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as WMA file opener then try to search online for "WMA viewer", "application to open WMA file" or "open WMA file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open WMA file

How Can I Open WMA File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a WMA file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a WMA file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with WMA file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as WMA file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open WMA file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open WMA file then try to search for "WMA viewer", "application to open WMA file" or "read WMA file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read WMA file

How Can I Open WMA File on Android

If you downloaded a WMA file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded WMA file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "WMA".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "WMA viewer", "WMA file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open WMA File on iPhone or iPad

To open WMA File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the WMA file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "WMA". This way you can find apps which can open WMA files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "WMA viewer" or "WMA file" online in your favorite search engine.

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