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FinchleyKnight's avatar
FinchleyKnight
Iron Contributor
Feb 02, 2026

How can I extract audio losslessly from a video on my windows 10 pc?

Alright folks, I need help here. On Windows 10, I have a video file and I want to rip the audio track out with losing quality. I'm talking about a true lossless extraction, not a re-encode. What is the absolute bulletproof software or method you trust for extracting audio from video without data loss? I want the untouched stream dumped into a container like FLAC or WAV.

Is command line tool good for for this, or are there other professional utilities I should consider? Please don't just name a program.

Hit me with your technical know-how. Assume I can follow detailed instructions and want the most reliable result possible. What's your go-to workflow?

8 Replies

  • ubhbubb's avatar
    ubhbubb
    Iron Contributor

    You need a dedicated audio editing app for extracting audio losslessly from a video.

  • Shutter Encoder is a powerhouse open-source tool that has become a favorite among video editors and tech enthusiasts. Developed by French editor Paul Pacifico, it acts as a user-friendly wrapper for the legendary command-line engine. This means you get professional-grade control over bitrates, codecs, and metadata without ever having to touch a line of code. You can try it out for extracting audio from video losslessly on a Windows 11/10 PC.

    What makes it unique is its "Swiss Army Knife" approach. Beyond simple conversions, it can download web videos, burn-in subtitles, and even use AI for vocal separation or transcription. For audio extraction specifically, its "Extract" function is a standout, as it can strip audio from a video file without re-encoding it, preserving the original studio quality and finishing the task in mere seconds.

    Cons

    Intimidating Interface: The UI is packed with technical parameters and "buttons everywhere," which can be overwhelming if you just want a simple "Convert" button.

    Technical Jargon: It uses professional broadcasting terminology (like rewrap, conform, and bitrate) that might require a quick Google search for beginners.

    Java Runtime Required: Since it's built on Java, it may feel less "native" on Windows or macOS and requires the Java environment to be present on your system.

    Occasional Stability Issues: Because it is an ambitious one-man project wrapping many complex libraries, it can occasionally crash when handling corrupted or extremely rare video containers.

    Steep Learning Curve: Accessing its most powerful features, such as "Object Removal" or "Detect Cut," takes significant trial and error compared to simpler apps.

  • Keegan15's avatar
    Keegan15
    Iron Contributor

    You can use Format Factory's Audio Extraction to extract audio from video on Windows 10. While Format Factory is known as a converter, its specific "Audio Extraction" function is a separate, lesser-used module.

    Process: Install Format Factory (being vigilant to decline adware during installation). Navigate to the "Audio" tab on the left, and select "Extract Audio from Video." Add your file, and in the output settings, choose the format "Same as source" or a lossless format. It will demux or decode accordingly.

    If you want to extract audio from video on Windows 10, Format Factory's audio extraction feature is a reliable and free choice. Just add your video, select the desired audio format, and start the extraction process. It’s a user-friendly way to get high-quality audio files from your videos.

  • CorinnBaker's avatar
    CorinnBaker
    Copper Contributor

    Using a web-based version of FFFmpeg to extract audio from video on a Windows 10 PC is a convenient and efficient method, especially if you prefer not to install software locally. FFFmpeg is a powerful open-source multimedia framework that allows you to process audio and video files with various commands.

    How to use Web-Based FFFmpeg to extract audio from video:

    1. Find a reliable web-based FFFmpeg platform. There are several online services that host FFFmpeg in the cloud.

    2. Upload your video file to the web-based FFFmpeg tool.

    3. Select the "extract audio from video" option. Usually, these platforms have a simple interface where you can choose the output format.

    4. Configure the output settings if needed (bitrate, codec, etc.).

    5. Start the process and wait for the service to process the file.

    6. Download the extracted audio file once the conversion is complete.

    Advantages:

    No need to install any software locally.

    Usually user-friendly with straightforward interfaces.

    Supports various audio formats.

  • Debiora's avatar
    Debiora
    Iron Contributor

    Audio Downloader Prime is a free browser extension specialising in straightforward and efficient audio extraction from video. It automatically detects audio resources within webpages, enabling users to download individual audio tracks from videos without complex operations. Featuring a clean interface and intuitive operation, it serves as a practical tool for swiftly extracting audio from video.

    1. Search for ‘Audio Downloader Prime’ in your browser's extension store, then click to install and enable it.

    2. Navigate to the webpage containing the video whose audio you wish to extract. Allow the video to load completely.

    3. Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar. The extension will automatically scan the page for audio resources and list downloadable audio options.

    4. From the audio list that appears, select the audio file corresponding to your video, click the download button, and set the save path to complete the extraction.

    Audio Downloader Prime is entirely free, features an extremely minimalist interface, operates swiftly and efficiently to extract audio from video, offers great compatibility, and is lightweight. However, it only supports certain browsers, cannot handle complex players, has limited functionality, and does not support batch extraction.

  • EastonFlint's avatar
    EastonFlint
    Iron Contributor

    AVIDemux,  a free and open-source video editor that excels at straightforward tasks like cutting, filtering, and, crucially, direct stream copying. Its core functionality makes it an effective tool for losslessly extracting audio by demuxing the original audio track from a video container without any re-encoding, provided the correct settings are used.

    How to extract audio from video losslessly

    Step 1: Open your video file in AVIDemux.

    Step 2: In the left panel, set the "Output Format" to an audio-only format (e.g., MP3 Muxer or AAC Muxer—choose the one matching your source audio type).

    Step 3: Directly below the video preview, ensure the "Audio" dropdown menu is set to "Copy".

    Step 4: Go to File > Save and choose a filename and location. The process will quickly extract audio from the video files.

    In summary, AVIDemux provides a lean and efficient path for perfect audio extraction via its stream-copy muxing function. While its interface can feel dated, it is a powerful and reliable choice for this specific task when configured correctly.

  • Boboin's avatar
    Boboin
    Iron Contributor

    Video DownloadHelper is a free browser extension primarily designed to address the need for extracting audio from video. It automatically identifies video audio streams within webpages, enabling users to download audio tracks independently without complex operations. Perfectly suited for extracting audio from videos within browsers, it serves as a convenient tool for routinely obtaining background music from web videos or audio recordings of speeches.

    Using this software to extract audio from video

    • Install the extension: Search for Video DownloadHelper in your browser's application store, then click to install and enable it.

    • Open target video: Load the webpage containing the video whose audio you wish to extract in your browser, allowing the video to load fully.

    • Initiate extraction: Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar. The extension will automatically detect video and audio streams on the page, displaying a pop-up menu.

    • Select audio option: In the menu, tick either “audio only” or “original track” to precisely achieve extracting audio from video.

    • Save the audio: After selecting your preferred audio format, click the download button, specify the save location, and await completion of the file download.

    Cons

    1. Only supports extracting audio from web videos accessible via a browser; cannot process locally stored video files.

    2. Cannot extract audio from websites employing DRM protection or private streaming services.

    3. Only enables single-video audio extraction; cannot process multiple videos simultaneously.

    As a free tool to extract audio from video, install the extension, open the web video you want to extract audio from video, select the audio-only option, and save the file—note that DRM-protected sites may restrict this extraction

  • You can use the MKVToolNix GUI to extract audio from video on windows pc.

    MKVToolNix GUI is a specialized application primarily designed for creating, manipulating, and inspecting Matroska (MKV) media containers. Its core strength for audio extraction lies in the multiplexer function, which can handle not just MKV files but also common formats like MP4, AVI, and MOV.

    The process involves loading a source video, deselecting all video, subtitle, and chapter tracks, selecting only the desired audio stream, and then "muxing" it out into a new file, typically as an MKA (Matroska Audio) file, which is a simple container for the untouched audio stream. This ensures a mathematically lossless pathway to extract audio from video on windows, as the original audio data is copied bit-for-bit without any re-encoding.

    Pros

    • Guarantees a perfectly lossless extraction via direct stream copying.
    • Offers precise control to select and isolate specific audio tracks from files with multiple streams.
    • Handles a wide variety of audio and video source container formats (MP4, AVI, MKV, etc.).
    • Completely free, open-source, and well-maintained software.

     

    Cons

    • The interface is designed for multiplexing and can feel less intuitive for simple audio extraction.
    • The default output format (MKA) is less universally compatible than MP3 or AAC, though the audio inside is untouched.
    • The workflow can feel indirect for a single-purpose task, as it requires manually deselecting video/subtitle tracks.

     

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