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Movie Maker does not recognize .m4a files

Anonymous
2015-09-12T19:19:41+00:00

I have 8 or 9 Movie Maker Projects that I was currently working on. Windows 7. All of these projects had music files (.m4a,) that worked flawlessly. No issues at all. Well, after a few months break, I went back to these projects to check in and complete. Now every .m4a song has a warning that states that Movie Maker cannot read any of the .m4a files. I spent many hours with Microsoft with multiple techs on my computer but none of them could figure it out, (it seemed each were not really versed on Movie Maker.) Their advice was to convert every music file. Using Itunes for pulling music, this is extremely problematic. It seems to me there is a simple solution or fix, if only...I tried to re download Essentials but no change. Help!!

Craig

Windows for home | Other | Music, photos, and video

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-13T22:11:31+00:00

    ???

    .m4a is the default audio file type created by Movie Maker 2012 and should work   I just checked by using MM2012 on a Windows 7 computer to rip the audio from an MOV file, saving as an .m4a.... then using the .m4a file in an MM2012 project and saving to an MP4 video file ....  I didn't run into any issues making or playing the files.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-09-14T00:22:22+00:00

    Apparently, the file type that you are using is not supported in Windows Live Movie Maker.

    I would suggest you to refer to the article given below and check if that helps.

    What kind of files can I use in Movie Maker?

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-live/movie-maker-file-types-faq

    Jayant,  

    Thanks for your response. According to this article, .m4a is supported in Movie Maker. And, for two years, I have been using .m4a audio files in my projects with no issues.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-14T01:54:05+00:00

    Craig, it could be due to any of a number of different issues. Feel free to email one of the files and I can check it. My email address is at the bottom of the main page of my website at www.papajohn.org

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-09-14T00:27:58+00:00

    PapaJohn,

       Thanks for your assistance. In my projects, on the audio/song line, what is usually green is now grey. In the song title, there is an eclamation point inside a yellow triangle. When I click on the song, a box pops up that states 'the file might be corrupted or in a format that movie maker doesn't recognize.' Every single .m4a song in every project. About 40 songs. I try to start a new project, importing the .m4a song and it shows the same warning. These songs play fine in my itunes so they are not corrupted. Movie Maker just can't find them.

    Craig

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-09-13T11:09:16+00:00

    Hello Craig,

    Thank you for visiting Microsoft Community and providing us with the detailed description about the issue.

    As per the description, I understand that you are experiencing issue with Movie Maker does not recognize .m4a files on the system.

    I certainly understand your concern and will try my best to help you.

    I really appreciate all your efforts in trying to fix the issue.

    Apparently, the file type that you are using is not supported in Windows Live Movie Maker.

    I would suggest you to refer to the article given below and check if that helps.

    What kind of files can I use in Movie Maker?

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-live/movie-maker-file-types-faq

    I hope this information is helpful.

    Please do let us know if you need any further assistance, we will be glad to assist you.

    Thank you.

    Jayant

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