How to Open .WMA Audio Files

Updated: February 2026

The .WMA file format (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's proprietary audio format designed to compete with MP3. WMA offers good compression with decent quality and was popular in the 2000s for Windows devices.

Free Players for WMA Files

  • Windows Media Player: Native support on all Windows systems
  • VLC Media Player: Plays WMA on Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Foobar2000: Excellent WMA support on Windows
  • MusicBee: Feature-rich player handling WMA libraries
  • AIMP: Versatile audio player with WMA codec support

WMA on Non-Windows Platforms

Mac and Linux don't include native WMA support. Install VLC Media Player or Flip4Mac (Mac) to play WMA files. iOS and Android devices may require third-party apps for WMA playback.

Converting WMA Files

Use fre:ac , Audacity , or Windows Media Player (Rip tab) to convert WMA to MP3 for better cross-platform compatibility. This makes files playable on Apple devices and non-Windows systems.

WMA Quality Levels

WMA supports variable bitrate and lossless compression. WMA Lossless offers CD-quality audio with compression. Standard WMA at 192 kbps provides quality comparable to 256 kbps MP3.

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Frequently Asked Questions about How to Open .WMA Audio Files

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