How to Convert WMV Files to Macintosh

by Marshal M. Rosenthal
WMV files are not standard to play on a Macintosh.

WMV files are not standard to play on a Macintosh.

(c) free-clipart.net

WMV video files are standard on PC computers but do not work with Macintosh video programs. Converting a WMV file to Quicktime makes it compatible with all of the Mac's video programs. The process is fairly easy to do, providing the process is followed in the correct order.

Step 1

Go to the Flip4Mac web site and download the free Flip4Mac WMV player program to the desktop and double click the program once it has finished downloading. Restart the Mac after Flip4Mac has finished installing.

Step 2

Open the "Applications" folder and double click on the Quicktime Pro 7 icon. Go to the top of the screen with Quicktime Pro 7 running and click on "File" and then "Open File" from the drop-down menu.

Step 3

Click on the WMV video file that is to be converted and click on the "Open" button at the lower right side of the screen to load the video file and close the window.

Step 4

Go to the "File" menu again and select "Export" from the drop-down menu. Rename the file if desired and select "Movie to Quicktime Movie" from the drop-down menu of the "Export" tab near the left side of the screen.

Step 5

Click the "Save" button at the lower right side of the window to close the window and save the file as a Quicktime video.

Tip

  • Using a copy of the original file for the conversion is best, because if there are any problems, the original is untouched. It is also good to rename the file so as to not take the chance of getting confused as to which file is which.

Warning

  • If Quicktime cannot read the WMV file, then the Flip4Mac program did not install properly. Download and install it again, restart the Mac and then try loading in the WMV file again.

Resources

About the Author

Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology maven with more than 15 years of editorial experience. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography with a Bachelor of Arts in photographic arts, his editorial work has appeared both domestically as well as internationally in publications such as "Home Theater," "Electronic House," "eGear," "Computer and Video Games" and "Digitrends."

Photo Credits

  • (c) free-clipart.net