Apple music mp3 download on a Windows PC?

The Short Answer: The tracks you download Apple music MP3 for offline listening are protected and cannot be copied or played outside the app/authorized devices.

Using iTunes to Buy Music on Windows PC, Not download Apple music MP3

Purchasing Music from the iTunes Store:  

When you buy music directly from the iTunes Store, these tracks are DRM-free AAC (.m4a) files.
This means you can legally download and own these files, and they are not protected by DRM, so you can play, transfer, or convert them freely.

a) Format and Quality:  
The purchased files are in AAC format, which generally offers higher audio quality than standard MP3 at similar bitrates.
AAC is widely supported, but some devices or applications require MP3, so you might need to convert.

b) Converting AAC (.m4a) Files to MP3

Using iTunes (or Music app):  
You can convert your purchased AAC files to MP3 directly within iTunes:

1. Go to Preferences > General > Import Settings.
2. Change the Import Using setting to MP3 Encoder.
3. Select the AAC files in your library, then click File > Convert > Create MP3 Version.

This process creates MP3 copies of your tracks, which you can transfer and play on any device that supports MP3.

c) Using Other Audio Converters:  
There are many third-party tools that can convert AAC to MP3 if you prefer or need more control over settings.

Pros: 100% legal, high quality, supports the artists directly.

Cons: Costs money per track/album, which defeats the "all-you-can-listen" aspect of a subscription.