The best audio extractor for extracting audio from video file?

Here is a simple guide to let you bulk extract audio from video on a PC or Mac:

https://www.quickdowns.com/extract-audio-from-video

You can use Media Foundation to extract audio from video. Microsoft Media Foundation (MF) is a multimedia framework and API introduced in Windows Vista as a modern replacement for the older DirectShow technology. It provides a standardized way for Windows applications to handle audio/video playback, encoding, decoding, and streaming.

$shell = New-Object -ComObject Shell.Application
$folder = $shell.Namespace("C:\Videos")
$file = $folder.ParseName("video_name")
$folder.GetDetailsOf($file, 27)  # Lists audio properties (but no extraction)

This is the best audio extractor you can use on Windows 11 or Windows 10

One remind. Please don't use an online audio extractor though it is free.

Privacy Risks: Online audio extractors require you to upload your video files to their servers, exposing potentially sensitive or private content to third parties. Even if the service claims to delete files after processing, there’s no guarantee your data won’t be stored, misused, or hacked. 

Quality and Limitations: Many online audio extracting tools compress audio heavily or restrict output formats, resulting in lower-quality files. Some also impose file size limits, watermarks, or require subscriptions for basic features. Desktop apps preserve original quality and offer customizable settings without artificial restrictions.

Unreliability and Ads: Free online extractors often bombard users with ads, pop-ups, or malware. Servers can be slow, and the site might vanish unexpectedly, leaving you without your files. Local tools work instantly, offline, and without hidden costs, making them faster and more dependable for long-term use.

Using HandBrake as an audio extractor on a Windows computer can have several disadvantages, HandBrake is mainly optimized for converting and compressing video files. While it supports extracting audio tracks from videos, it may not offer the most straightforward or efficient workflow for pure audio extraction compared to dedicated audio tools. HandBrake primarily outputs to formats like MP4 or MKV with audio codecs such as AAC or AC3. If you need specific audio formats (e.g., MP3, WAV, FLAC), HandBrake might not support them directly or may require additional steps.

To get a simple audio extractor, HandBrake’s interface can be more complex and less intuitive compared to dedicated audio extractor tools, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve. While HandBrake can process multiple files, its batch processing is more geared toward video conversion. Extracting audio from many files might require manual setup for each, which can be time-consuming.

HandBrake is primarily designed for video transcoding, but it can also be used to extract audio from video files. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use HandBrake as a free audio extractor on Windows:

How to extract audio from a video using HandBrake

Step 1: Download and Install HandBrake
Download HandBrake from the official website, run the installer and follow the prompts to install.
Step 2: Launch HandBrake
Open HandBrake after installation.
Step 3: Load Your Video File
Click "Open Source" and select the video file you want to extract audio from.
Step 4: Choose Output Settings

• Destination: Click "Browse" to choose where to save the extracted audio file.
• Format: HandBrake defaults to MP4 or MKV container, but since we're extracting audio, the container isn't critical. The key is to select the correct audio format later.

Step 5: Set Up Audio Extractor

• In the "Summary" tab, you don’t need to change much.
• Switch to the "Audio" tab:
  You will see track(s) detected from your video.
  Select the track you want to extract.
• Choose the output format:
  HandBrake outputs audio as part of an MP4 or MKV container, but it doesn't natively export just audio files.
  To get just audio, set the "Container" to MP4 or MKV.
  Set Codec: Choose AAC (common for MP4) or AC3.
  Bitrate: Keep default or increase for higher quality.

Online audio extractor software often have file size limits and lower quality output due to several reasons:

1. Hosting large files consumes significant server resources and bandwidth. Limiting file size helps prevent server overload and ensures fair access for all users. 
2. Maintaining servers capable of processing very large files or high-volume traffic can be expensive. Imposing size limits reduces operational costs.
3. Processing large files takes more time, which can lead to longer wait times or timeouts, negatively impacting user experience.
4. Many online audio extractor software use default compression settings to minimize file size, which can reduce output quality. Free online tools often use basic encoding algorithms to keep things simple. Advanced encoding options (like higher bitrates or lossless formats) are usually reserved for paid or desktop solutions.
5. Running high-quality encoding requires more processing power. Cloud servers may limit quality to ensure quick turnaround and prevent server strain. Many free services provide basic features for free to attract users, then charge for higher quality, larger files, or faster processing.

For extracting high-quality audio from video files on your Windows PC—especially if you want reliability, batch processing, and support for various formats—FFmppeg remains the top free choice, but since you're looking for something more user-friendly, here is a excellent audio extractor:

Such as VLCC Media Player

• Features: Can extract audio from videos, convert to various formats.
• Batch Processing: Limited; may require manual steps or scripting.
• Ease of Use: Moderate; requires navigating menus.
• Sound Quality: Very high, as it re-encodes with customizable settings.

How to use audio extractor software:
Media > Convert/Save > Add your video > Convert.
Choose audio format (MP3, WAV, FLAC).