The video is dropped, the sound is kept
The converter writes only the audio. The WAV has a single audio stream and no picture, so you can drop it straight into an audio editor.
WMV to WAV Converter
You get a WAV file with the sound of your WMV video as 16-bit PCM, ready for an audio editor, a transcription tool or a device that wants uncompressed audio.
To convert WMV to WAV, add the WMV file, keep WAV as the output and download the result. The picture is dropped and the sound is written as uncompressed 16-bit PCM. The WAV is much bigger than the WMV because the audio inside a WMV is normally compressed, and decoding it cannot bring back detail that compression removed. In our test a 388 KB WMV became a 1.06 MB WAV. We did not test a DRM-protected WMV, and a protected file should not be expected to convert.
Transfers use HTTPS, and files converted on the free tier are deleted after 24 hours, so the result is not a long-term archive. Quality depends on the source file, so open the WAV file once before you share it.
FromWMVLossy
WMV (Windows Media Video)
A Microsoft video format built on the ASF (Advanced Systems Format) container. Files usually carry Windows Media Video codecs such as WMV3 (also called VC-1) with Windows Media Audio, and Windows Movie Maker in Windows XP offered it as an output. Some players, especially on Apple devices, need a converter to open it.
ToWAVLossless
WAV (Waveform Audio File Format)
The uncompressed audio file that most editors and recording programs open. Here it holds 16-bit PCM, so every sample is stored in full and the file is far larger than a compressed one such as MP3.
A 6 second WMV test clip (wmv2 video, wmav2 audio, 44.1 kHz stereo) made by us, converted on indox.org
- WMVthe original, 128 kbit/s Windows Media audio, 44.1 kHz stereo
- 388 KB
- WAVfrom indox, 2.72 times larger, 16-bit PCM at 1,411 kbit/s, 44.1 kHz stereo
- 1.06 MB
Why use indox to convert WMV to WAV?
Sample rate and channels carry over
In our test a 44.1 kHz stereo WMV gave a 44.1 kHz stereo WAV, and a 48 kHz mono WMV gave a 48 kHz mono WAV. We changed no settings.
Nothing to sign up for in our test
We ran the conversions anonymously, without an account, and met no limit, quota or paywall. A 6 second clip took 3.7 seconds from the click to Completed in our test.
What happens to your file
Stays
- The sound of the video, as far as the WMV holds it
- The sample rate and channel count, in our tests
- Your original WMV, which is not touched
Changes
- The audio encoding: Windows Media Audio becomes 16-bit PCM
- The video, which is removed
- The file size, about 2.7 times larger in our test
- Any audio track after the first
How do I convert WMV to WAV online?
- 1
Add your WMV file
Drop the WMV on the box or choose it from your device. Keep the original, because the WAV is a new file and the WMV stays as it was.
- 2
Confirm WAV, then convert
Check that WAV is the output format and start the conversion. A short clip finished in a few seconds in our test.
- 3
Download the WAV and listen to it
Save the WAV and play it through once before you use it. Check that the right track is there if your video had more than one.
What do I get from indox's WMV to WAV converter?
You add a WMV video and get its sound back as a WAV, and the page states what changes and what does not.
- A WAV with 16-bit PCM audio and no video
- Nothing to install on Windows, Mac or a phone
- Numbers taken from a real run
- The limits stated before you upload
What are the limits for WMV to WAV?
Size
The upload box shows the live size limit before you add a file. Signing in raises it; a paid plan does not change it.
Formats
WMV in, WAV out. Pick another output on the converter if you need a different format.
Privacy
Files are encrypted in transit over HTTPS and processed on indox infrastructure.
Deletion
Free-tier files are kept for 24 hours after the job finishes, then deleted automatically.
Limits worth knowing
- A WAV cannot sound better than the WMV. The audio in a WMV is usually already compressed, so the WAV is a bigger copy of the same sound and detail that was lost earlier stays lost.
- Only the first audio track is converted. In our test with two audio tracks, a 440 Hz tone and an 880 Hz tone, the WAV held the 440 Hz track and the second was missing. We saw no way to pick a track.
- We did not test a DRM-protected WMV. A file locked to a licence or a player should not be expected to convert, and a result that did appear might not be usable.
- The output is always 16-bit PCM. There is no 24-bit or floating-point WAV, and a very long video can give a WAV past the 4 GB limit of the classic format. We did not test that case.
When the result is not what you expected
| What you see | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The conversion fails | The WMV may be DRM-protected or damaged | Check that it plays in the software that holds its licence, or try another copy |
| The WAV is much bigger than the WMV | WAV is uncompressed and the WMV audio was compressed | This is normal; use WMV to MP3 if you need a small file |
| A voice or track is missing | Only the first audio track is converted | Check the file in a player that lists audio tracks, and extract the other one separately |
| The WAV is a few milliseconds shorter | In our test it was about 55 ms shorter than the WMV audio stream | Check the start and end if exact length matters |
What do the free and paid plans add?
Free
- All converters
- Daily credit refresh
- Email support
Basic
- Access to all features
- AI Extract
- Priority conversions
- Email support
Highest priority
Premium
- Everything in Basic
- Highest priority queue
- Priority support
Pay-As-You-Go
- No subscription
- Credits never expire
- Opt-in auto-refill
- Access to all features
Which conversions are close to WMV to WAV?
WMV vs WAV: what is the difference?
| Compared on | WMV | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| What it holds | Video and audio in an ASF wrapper from Microsoft | Audio only, in the WAVE container from Microsoft and IBM |
| Audio encoding | Normally compressed Windows Media Audio | Usually uncompressed PCM; 16-bit here |
| Size in our test | 388 KB for a 6 second clip | 1.06 MB for the sound of that clip |
| Best for | Playing a video, mostly on Windows | Editing, transcription and archiving sound |
| Format limits | ASF specification revision 01.20.03, December 2004 | Classic files stop at 4 GB; RF64 goes beyond |
Who can use a WMV to WAV converter?
When to use it
- Taking the soundtrack of a Windows Media clip into an audio editor.
- Making a PCM copy of a recorded talk or interview for transcription.
- Archiving the sound of an old family video as a separate, uncompressed file.
- Feeding a device or program that accepts WAV but not WMV.
Where can I read more about converting files?
Sources
- WMV (Windows Media Video) format descriptionLibrary of Congress
- WAVE Audio File FormatLibrary of Congress
- ffmpeg Documentation, stream selectionFFmpeg
Facts checked on November 5, 2026
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WMV to WAV FAQs
Will converting WMV to WAV lower the quality?
The WAV keeps what the WMV audio contains, but it cannot add back detail the WMV compression removed. In our test it held the same sample rate and channels as the source. If you want a smaller file and can accept another lossy step, see WMV to MP3.
How much bigger is a WAV than the WMV?
In our test a 388 KB WMV with 128 kbit/s audio gave a 1.06 MB WAV, 2.72 times the size. A 16-bit stereo WAV at 44.1 kHz runs at 1,411 kbit/s, so expect roughly 10 MB per minute of sound.
Which audio track is used if my WMV has several?
In our test with two tracks, only the first track appeared in the WAV. We saw no option to choose another. FFmpeg's documentation says its default pick is the stream with the most channels, and the lowest index if they tie.
Can I convert a DRM-protected WMV?
We did not test one. A file locked to a licence or a player should not be expected to convert. Play it in the software that holds its licence, or look for an unprotected copy.
Are sample rate and stereo kept?
In our tests, yes. A 44.1 kHz stereo file stayed 44.1 kHz stereo, and a 48 kHz mono file stayed 48 kHz mono. The bit depth is always 16-bit.
Is it free, and how long does it take?
In our test the conversion was free, needed no account and showed no limit, and a 6 second stereo clip took 3.7 seconds. Longer videos take longer. The page told us that files converted on the free tier are deleted after 24 hours.
Can I do this without an online converter?
Desktop tools such as VLC or an ffmpeg command can also write WAV from a WMV. We did not test them here. An online converter saves the install, while a local tool keeps the file on your computer.