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Windows Media Player 11 SDK File Name Extensions 

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File Name Extensions

There are specific guidelines for the use of file name extensions for Windows Media metafiles. Windows Media metafile extensions are used to identify the different types of Windows Media files. A file name extension provides an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) with information about the rendering requirements of an application that uses a particular extension, and enables content authors to target general types of media players.

The file name extension guidelines are listed in the following table. It is recommended that a file's MIME type, located in the file header, be used for file-type identification.

File name extension MIME type File content
.wma audio/x-ms-wma Windows Media file with audio content only. Typically used to download and play files or to stream content.
.wmv video/x-ms-wmv Windows Media file with audio and/or video content. Typically used to download and play files or to stream content.
.asf video/x-ms-asf Legacy content. Typically used to download and play files or to stream content. May contain audio and/or video content. Typically used to download and play files or to stream content.
.wm video/x-ms-wm Reserved
.wax audio/x-ms-wax Metafiles that reference Windows Media files with .asf, .wma, or .wax file extensions.
.wvx video/x-ms-wvx Metafiles that reference Windows Media files with .wma, .wmv, .wvx, or .wax file extensions.
.asx video/x-ms-asf Metafiles that reference Windows Media files with .wma, .wax, .wmv, .wvx, .asf, or .asx file extensions.
.wmx video/x-ms-wvx Reserved.

Remarks

Scripting and digital rights management (DRM) must be supported by any application that renders Windows Media files.

See Also

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