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Convert MOV to WMA - Extract Audio for Windows

Pull audio from QuickTime videos. Get Windows-ready WMA files instantly.

Step 1: Upload your files

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Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Need Audio from Your MOV Video?

You have a QuickTime MOV video with audio you want to use separately. Maybe it's a podcast recording, an interview, or music from a video project. WMA (Windows Media Audio) gives you a compressed audio file that plays natively on Windows systems without any additional software.

In our testing, converting MOV to WMA produces clean audio extraction with file sizes roughly 50% smaller than uncompressed alternatives. The conversion strips the video track entirely, leaving you with just the audio in Microsoft's efficient format.

How to Convert MOV to WMA

  1. Upload your MOV file - Drag and drop or click to select your QuickTime video
  2. Select WMA as output - Choose WMA from the audio format options
  3. Download your audio - Get your extracted WMA file ready for Windows playback

The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no account required. Your files stay private throughout the conversion.

Why Convert MOV to WMA?

MOV is Apple's QuickTime container format. It often holds video with AAC or other audio codecs. WMA is Microsoft's Windows Media Audio format, designed specifically for the Windows ecosystem. Here's when this conversion makes sense:

  • Windows Media Player - WMA plays natively without codec packs
  • Smaller files - WMA compresses efficiently, especially at lower bitrates
  • Legacy Windows systems - Older Windows versions handle WMA better than modern codecs
  • Audio-only needs - Extract just the sound when you don't need video

In our testing, WMA files at 128 kbps sound remarkably good while staying compact. Microsoft designed the codec to excel at lower bitrates, making it ideal for situations where file size matters.

MOV vs WMA: Key Differences

These formats serve completely different purposes:

FeatureMOVWMA
TypeVideo containerAudio only
DeveloperAppleMicrosoft
ContainsVideo + Audio + MetadataAudio + Metadata
Best forVideo editing, playbackWindows audio playback
CompressionVarious codecs (H.264, ProRes)Windows Media Audio codec
File sizeLarge (includes video)Small (audio only)

Converting MOV to WMA extracts the audio track and re-encodes it using Microsoft's audio compression. The video portion is discarded entirely.

Common Use Cases

Podcast Audio from Video Recordings

Recorded a podcast episode as video but only need the audio? Convert to WMA for a compact file that works perfectly on Windows-based podcast players and older media devices.

Interview Transcription

Have interview footage in MOV format? Extract the audio as WMA to work with Windows-native transcription software or share with team members on Windows systems.

Music from Video Projects

Created a music video or recorded a live performance? Pull just the audio track and save it as WMA for your Windows music library.

Archiving Audio Content

For long-term storage where file size matters, WMA's efficient compression at 64-128 kbps provides good quality in smaller packages than many alternatives.

Quality Considerations

WMA is a lossy format, meaning some audio data is discarded during compression. However, WMA's compression algorithm is efficient:

  • 128 kbps - Near-CD quality for most listeners, our recommended setting
  • 192 kbps - Transparent quality, difficult to distinguish from original
  • 64 kbps - Acceptable for voice content, podcasts, and speech

In our testing, WMA at 128 kbps often matches or exceeds MP3 quality at the same bitrate, particularly for complex audio with lots of detail. Microsoft specifically optimized the codec for efficient compression without sacrificing clarity.

When to Choose Different Formats

WMA isn't always the best choice. Consider these alternatives:

  • MOV to MP3 - When you need universal compatibility across all devices and platforms
  • MOV to WAV - When you need uncompressed audio for editing or professional use
  • MOV to AAC - When targeting Apple devices or modern streaming platforms
  • MOV to FLAC - When you want lossless compression without any quality loss

Choose WMA when Windows compatibility is your priority and you want smaller file sizes than WAV without giving up too much quality.

Batch Conversion

Have multiple MOV files to convert? Upload them all at once and convert your entire collection to WMA in one batch. This saves time when processing conference recordings, multiple podcast episodes, or video archives.

Each file converts independently, so one problematic file won't stop the rest of your batch from completing.

Browser-Based Conversion

Our converter works directly in your web browser on any operating system:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android devices

No plugins, no downloads, no installations. Just upload, convert, and download. Your files process locally for privacy and speed.

Pro Tip

WMA shines at lower bitrates. If you need compact files for voice recordings or podcasts, 64 kbps WMA often sounds clearer than MP3 at the same bitrate. For music, stick to 128 kbps or higher.

Common Mistake

Using WMA for cross-platform sharing. While WMA works great on Windows, Mac and Linux users may struggle to play these files without additional software. For universal compatibility, choose MP3 instead.

Best For

Extracting audio from QuickTime videos for use on Windows systems, especially when file size matters. Ideal for voice recordings, podcasts, and audio archives on Windows-based media libraries.

Not Recommended

Don't use WMA if you need to edit the audio later or if recipients use Mac or Linux. WMA is also not ideal for high-fidelity music where lossless formats like FLAC would be more appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's audio format designed for Windows systems. It compresses audio efficiently while maintaining quality, and plays natively in Windows Media Player without additional codecs.

There is some quality reduction since WMA uses lossy compression. However, at 128-192 kbps, most listeners cannot distinguish WMA from the original audio. WMA is particularly efficient at lower bitrates compared to other formats.

Yes. Our converter works in any web browser on Mac. Even though WMA is a Windows format, you can create WMA files on Mac and transfer them to Windows systems.

Conversion typically takes seconds to a few minutes depending on file size. A 10-minute video usually converts in under 30 seconds. Processing happens in your browser for fast performance.

Yes. Converting to WMA extracts only the audio track. The video portion is completely discarded, resulting in a much smaller audio-only file.

We convert at high quality settings (typically 128-192 kbps) to preserve audio clarity. WMA at 128 kbps provides near-CD quality that sounds excellent for most purposes.

Yes, WMA is Windows Media Player's native format. WMA files play without any additional codecs or software installation on any Windows system.

WMA often sounds better than MP3 at lower bitrates (64-128 kbps). At higher bitrates, the difference is negligible. MP3 has broader device compatibility, while WMA excels on Windows systems.

Yes. Upload multiple MOV files and convert them all to WMA in one batch. Each file processes independently, saving significant time when converting multiple videos.

Yes. Conversion happens in your browser, meaning your files are processed locally. We don't store your videos or audio files on any server.

Our converter handles all common audio codecs found in MOV files, including AAC, MP3, PCM, and ALAC. The audio is extracted and re-encoded as WMA regardless of the source codec.

Use WAV for editing. WAV is uncompressed, preserving full quality for professional audio work. WMA's compression makes it better suited for playback and distribution, not editing.

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