Best way to convert m4a to wav in Windows PC?

Once, I was asked to convert a bunch of audio files in M4A to WAV. To be honest, I had no idea how to do it at the time. I didn't install any software, and I was too lazy to find online tools to upload and download. In the end, I relied on the "earthy magic operation" to get it done: directly using the method of renaming + recording. Although it was simple, it actually worked!

In fact, it was completely blind at the beginning. I knew that the "voice recorder" that comes with Windows saves in WAV format, and M4A files can be played directly. I suddenly thought that I could use the recording method to "save the country in a roundabout way". I tried it and found that it can really be done! Here are my steps.

My specific operation

1. Groove Music that comes with Windows can play M4A directly. If you are using macOS, QuickTime Player can also be used. Just make sure that the file can be played normally.
2. Type "voice recorder" in the Windows search bar and open it directly. This application is super simple and there are almost no extra settings.
3. Drag the M4A file to Groove Music and pause it at the start position.
   Switch to the "Voice Recorder" and click "Start Recording".
   Switch back to the player, click Play, and wait for the audio to finish playing.
   After playing, return to the voice recorder and click "Stop", and the recording will be automatically saved in WAV format.
4. The default saved WAV file will be in the "Documents/Recordings" folder of the system. Open it and listen to it once. Once you confirm that there is no problem, you can use it.

Not many files: If there are only one or two files, you can use this method to convert m4a to wav.
Just need to be able to listen: If the sound quality requirements are not high, this method is definitely enough.
No network or no tools installed: completely rely on the system's own functions, and can be used offline.

Looking back, this was quite interesting. It was a "weird skill" that I was forced to develop! Now I have learned more professional tools, but this method will always be my "backup trick". I hope my experience can give you some inspiration!

I believe many people don’t know that Windows Media Player, which comes with Windows, can actually help you convert M4A to WAV format! Although the function is a bit hidden, it is actually quite simple to operate. Below I will use the simplest steps to teach you how to use it to convert M4A to WAV on Windows 11.

1. Type "Windows Media Player" in the Windows search bar and open it (don’t worry, it has always been built-in, both Win10 and Win11).
2. Click "File" → "Add to Media Library" in the upper left corner and drag your M4A file in.
3. Click "Organize" → "Options" in the upper right corner.
4. Find the "Rip Music" tab.
5. Select WAV in the "Format" drop-down menu.
6. You can choose the output path, such as saving to the "Music" folder.
7. Go back to the media library, right-click your M4A file, and click "Rip Music".
8. Windows Media Player will automatically convert the file from M4A to WAV format and save it to the path you set previously.

Advantages:

1. The system comes with the software, which is completely free.
2. The conversion process is simple and intuitive, and no additional tools need to be installed.
3. The sound quality will not be lost, and the WAV file retains the high quality of the original audio.

Disadvantages:

There is no batch function, which is a bit troublesome when there are many files.
The interface design of Windows Media Player is a bit old, and it takes a little time to find options.
If you are like me and have a lot of M4A files to convert, you might as well try this method! Although it is not the fastest, it is definitely a cost-effective and reliable solution. Now, I have not only completed the project task, but also learned a hidden function. Next time someone asks me how to convert M4A to WAV, I have a story to share!

Here are 3 free and popular ways to help you bulk convert .m4a files to wav on any Windows PC.

Method 1: Using Windows Media Player

1.Open Windows Media Player on your Windows PC.

2.Import the M4A file by dragging and dropping it into the Media Player library or by going to "File" > "Add to Library".

3.Select the M4A file in the Media Player library.

4.Right-click on the file and select "Convert" > "Make a copy with a different format".

5.Select WAV as the output format and choose the desired quality settings (e.g., 44.1 kHz, 16-bit).

6.Choose a location to save the converted WAV file and click "Save".

Method 2: Using iTunes

1. Open iTunes on your Windows PC.
2. Import the M4A file by dragging and dropping it into the iTunes library or by going to "File" > "Add to Library".
3. Select the M4A file in the iTunes library.
4. Right-click on the file and select "Convert" > "Create WAV Version".
5. Choose the desired quality settings (e.g., 44.1 kHz, 16-bit) and click "OK".
6. The converted WAV file will be saved in the same location as the original M4A file.

Method 3: Using Audcity

1. Download and install Audcity, a free audio editor.
2. Open the app and go to "File" > "Import" > "Audio" and select the M4A file.
3. The M4A file will be imported into Audcity.
4. Go to "File" > "Export" > "Export as WAV".
5. Choose the desired quality settings (e.g., 44.1 kHz, 16-bit) and select a location to save the converted WAV file.

These methods should allow you to easily convert M4A files to WAV format on a Windows PC.

I love V1C for its media playback capabilities, but the conversion interface isn’t the most intuitive. You might find yourself scratching your head a bit figuring out where to click and how to tweak the settings. It’s not as straightforward as some other tools. Depending on the size of the M4A files, the conversion speed can be a bit sluggish. It’s not the end of the world, but if you’re in a hurry, you might find it a tad annoying waiting for the process to finish.

V1C is mainly designed for playback, which means its conversion features are pretty basic. So if you were hoping to make any fine-tuning edits to your audio files (like trimming parts of the track or adjusting audio quality), you might be left disappointed. You’ll need to look at dedicated audio editing software for that.

While converting M4A to WAV should typically preserve audio quality (since WAV is a lossless format), the results can still vary. I’ve had instances where the converted files didn’t sound as crisp as expected. So, keep an ear out for that.

Although WAV is a widely accepted format, you may run into some issues with playback on certain portable devices or software. While they generally support WAV, not all gear handles it as smoothly as, say, MP3. This can be a hassle if you plan to transfer files to a device that has particular format preferences.

1. If you’re looking to convert M4A files to WAV on your Windows computer for free, there are a few straightforward ways to go about it. if you haven’t got V1C installed, you should definitely grab it—it’s a free media player and super versatile. Here’s how to convert M4A to WAV with it:

1. Download and Install V1C: Head over to the V1C website and download it. It's free, and you can install it pretty easily.
2. Open V1C: Launch the program.
3. Convert/Save Option: Click on Media in the menu bar, then select Convert / Save (or just press Ctrl + R).
4. Add Your M4A File: In the pop-up window, click on the Add button and browse for your M4A file.
5. Hit Convert / Save: After adding the file, click on the Convert / Save button at the bottom.
6. Choose Profile: In the Convert dialog, select Audio - WAV from the Profile dropdown menu.
7. Destination File: Click on Browse to choose where you want to save the converted file, and give it a name.
8. Start Converting: Finally, hit Start and let V1C do its magic. You’ll get your WAV file in no time!

2. If you don't want to download software, you can use online converters, although it's a bit less safe if you're worried about privacy. Here are a few reliable options:

• Online Audio Converter: Just Google “Online Audio Converter” and pick one. You can upload your M4A file, select WAV as the output format, and convert it. Just make sure to download the converted file afterward.

3. If you're running the latest version of Windows (like Windows 11), you might also play around with the use Windows 11 Built-in apps:

• Windows Media Player: Open WMP, and if your M4A file is recognized, it might allow you to convert it to a different format when you burn it to audio CD.
• Voice Recorder: You may record the audio playing the M4A file if all else fails, but you’ll lose some quality this way.

Although WAV is usually better quality, some converters might not handle the conversion well, leading to quality loss. I’ve noticed that not all software respects the original bitrate of the M4A, which can affect sound quality. Always check the settings and pick the highest quality output option available. If the software has multiple settings for audio codec and bitrate, it can be easy to get lost. Once, I got so confused I ended up converting with a super low bitrate, and the audio sounded choppy. Pay attention to those settings, and if you’re not sure, look for a preset that matches CD quality (like 1411 kbps for WAV).

About converting M4A to WAV in Windows PC. If you care about keeping artist info, album art, and all that fun metadata, some converters might strip that away during the conversion process. I’ve lost album art before, and it’s a pain trying to restore it. Use software that preserves these details, or be prepared to add them back manually.

It sounds trivial, but forgetting where your converted files end up can really mess with your workflow. I’ve chased down files through multiple folders before, wondering where they disappeared to. Make sure to set a dedicated output directory where you can easily find your WAV files.

Converting large files, especially if you're doing several at once, can be a strain on your PC. I’ve had my system slow down or even freeze during hefty conversions. Close unnecessary programs and give your computer a break; it’ll help you avoid those annoying hiccups.