How to Convert Protected WMA Files to MP3 Using NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter

Protected WMA files are usually downloaded from services like Napster 2.0, BuyMusic.com, MSN Music, or MusicMatch and are encrypted with Microsoft's Digital Rights Management (DRM) techniques. Is there any way to have the protected wam files played with standard MP3 players?NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converteris the most excellent audio encoder for you to convert protected wma files to mp3.

NoteBurner NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter supports WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, FLAC, APE, VQF etc. as the input formats and converts them to popular audio formats MP3 and WAV. The software enables you to convert purchased songs for use with iPod, any other MP3 player, mobile phone or PC. It also supports batch mode for converting or unprotecting large protected wma files collections.

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Now, let's get to the detailed, step-by-step tutorial on how to convert protected wma files to mp3:

Step 1: Get NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter downloaded from http://www.noteburner.com/, and then install and run it.

Note: After you running NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter, you may see the symbol of NoteBurner, which is a combination of green disc and note, at the right bottom of your computer screen.

Step 2: Choose mp3 as the output format in NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter.

1. Click Setting button on top of NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter’s GUI

2. Browse a folder for storing the converted mp3 songs

3. Choose MP3 as the output format

4. Check the ID3Tag options

5. Click the OK button to save the changes

Choose MP3, WMA or WAV as target format

Step 3: Add protected wma files to the burn list.

1. Run Windows Media Player(Note: to convert protected wma files to mp3, you have to run NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter and Windows Media Player simultaneously)

2. Click Library tab and then right-click on the playlist in your library that contains the protected wma files that you want to burn and then select Add To Burn List.

Add DRM protected WMA files to Windows Media Player

You can also click All Music and choose protected wma audio files from your library and add selected to burn list.

Step 4: Start burning the protected wma audio files in Windows Media Player

Click Burn tab to come to Burn Window. Choose CD Drive(G:)/(H:)-Audio CD as the burner. Then click Start Burn to begin burning.

Start burning virtual CD in Windows Media Player

Step 5: Get the output MP3 files

After burning is finished, please open NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter and you will find all converted mp3 music files are listed in the panel.

1. You can double-click any song to preview the music, or click the Play button to play selected song

2. Click the Folder button to open the output folder, where you will find the converted MP3 files

Open the output folder to get the converted MP3/WMA files

Now, it’s time to transfer the converted wma file to your iPod, or mp3 player, and take them with you anywhere you go, and enjoy them with your iPod or MP3 Player as a pastime!

Mind you, Windows Media Player 11 imposes very restrict limits on the usage of DRM-protected music. So it’s not compatible with NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter and couples of other burning facilities and programs. Therefore, there’s no way to convert wma files to mp3, ogg, or other formats, if the conversion adopts burning strategy.

Besides Windows Media Player, WMA is supported by MPlayer, RealPlayer, Winamp and many other media players. If you have huge amount of protected wma files, then you can have NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter and Windows Media Player, MPlayer, RealPlayer, Winamp and many other media players run together to convert those protected wma songs to mp3. Download the latest free version of NoteBurner WMA to MP3 Converter here to strip off any the DRM protection from your wma files right away!