audio format

What is a .WMA file?

WMA is Microsoft’s legacy audio format from the Windows Media era.

Full name
Windows Media Audio
Developed by
Microsoft
Released
1999
Extension
.wma
MIME type
audio/x-ms-wma
Transparency
No

How to open a WMA file

WMA plays in Windows Media Player and VLC; convert to MP3 for universal use.

What WMA files are used for

Music & podcasts

Listening on any device or app.

Editing & mastering

Production-quality source audio.

Voice notes & clips

Lightweight recordings to share.

Strengths & limitations

✔ Strengths✖ Limitations
Excellent compatibilityNo transparency support
Limited support — may need converting

Need more than a conversion?

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Frequently asked questions

WMA is Microsoft’s legacy audio format from the Windows Media era.

WMA plays in Windows Media Player and VLC; convert to MP3 for universal use.

WMA is optimised for its specific use rather than strictly lossless storage.

Use SharkFoto's free tools — upload your WMA file and convert it to a more convenient format in seconds. It's free, processed securely and never stored.

No — WMA doesn't store transparency; convert to PNG or WEBP if you need it.