Audio format
What is a WMA file?
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's compressed audio format, mostly seen in older Windows Media Player libraries.
Microsoft introduced WMA in the late 1990s as its own answer to MP3, bundled tightly into Windows Media Player and, for a time, popular for ripping CDs on Windows PCs. It offered reasonable compression efficiency for its era, but its adoption was largely confined to the Windows ecosystem, and it never gained the cross-platform, cross-device support that MP3 enjoyed — which is why most WMA files people still have today are relics of an older Windows Media Player library.
How to open a WMA file
WMA files open readily in Windows Media Player, VLC Media Player. For real editing rather than just viewing, reach for Audacity (with the appropriate codec installed).
Strengths & limitations
Good for
- reasonable compression efficiency
Watch out for
- limited support outside the Windows ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
What does a WMA file contain?+
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's compressed audio format, mostly seen in older Windows Media Player libraries.
Can I convert WMA on Orbfile?+
Not currently — WMA needs a codec Orbfile can't ship under a permissive, production-safe open-source license, so there's no converter for it here. See the section above for how to open one instead.
Is converting a WMA file safe and private?+
Yes. Orbfile processes WMA files locally on your device using WebAssembly — nothing is uploaded to a server, so there's nothing to leak or store.
Who created the WMA format?+
WMA was developed by Microsoft, first released around 1999.
Browse the full file format guide.