How to Handle .WAX File Loss Caused by Software Bugs

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .WAX file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Handle .WAX File Loss Caused by Software Bugs
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What is a .WAX file?

Audio shortcut file used by Windows Media Player, the default Windows multimedia playback program; saves a shortcut to a Windows Media audio (.WMA) file on the Internet; saved in a plain text format and contains the URL location of the audio file, but not the audio data itself.

What Are Common Causes of ".WAX" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".WAX" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".WAX" files while organizing or cleaning up their files.
  2. File system corruption: Issues with the file system, such as disk errors or software bugs, can lead to the loss or corruption of ".WAX" files.
  3. Virus or malware infection: Malicious software can infect and damage ".WAX" files, making them inaccessible or corrupted.
  4. Hardware failure: Hard drive failure, power surges, or other hardware issues can result in the loss of ".WAX" files.
  5. Software conflicts: Conflicts between different software applications or improper installation/uninstallation of software can lead to the loss or corruption of ".WAX" files.
  6. Operating system issues: Errors or crashes in the operating system can cause ".WAX" files to become lost or corrupted.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of storage devices or improper handling of files, can result in the loss of ".WAX" files.
  8. Unsupported software or outdated drivers: Using outdated or incompatible software or drivers to access ".WAX" files can lead to failure or loss of data.

It is important to regularly back up your ".WAX" files to prevent potential loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".WAX" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".WAX" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".WAX" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".WAX" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".WAX" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".WAX" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".WAX" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Media Audio Redirect image file file?

Programs that open ".WAX" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Media Player Microsoft Windows Media Player
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Media Audio Redirect

  • File extension: .WAX

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Audio Files

  • Format: Text

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:30 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .WAX files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is a .WAX file format and what is its purpose?

    A .WAX file format is a Windows Media Audio Redirect file. It is a text-based file that contains instructions for playing streaming audio content.

    The purpose of a .WAX file is to provide a redirect link to a streaming audio source. When a user clicks on a .WAX file, it opens in a media player and the player reads the instructions within the file to redirect the user to the actual audio stream location. This allows users to listen to streaming audio content without having to manually locate and input the stream URL.

    .WAX files are commonly used for streaming audio on websites or online radio stations, where they can be used to initiate the playback of audio content in a media player.

  • How can I open a .WAX file and what software do I need?

    A .WAX file is typically an audio file that contains metadata or references to other media files. To open a .WAX file, you will need media player software that supports this file format. Here's how you can open a .WAX file:

    1. Windows Media Player: The most common software to open .WAX files is Windows Media Player, which comes pre-installed on most Windows computers. Simply double-click the .WAX file, and it should open in Windows Media Player.
    2. Other Media Players: Some third-party media players like VLC Media Player, Winamp, or iTunes might also be able to open .WAX files. Install any of these media players, then open the .WAX file using the player's "Open" or "Import" option.
    3. Browser: In some cases, .WAX files are used as web links to stream audio content. If you encounter a .WAX file while browsing the internet, you can try opening it directly in your web browser. Right-click on the link, choose "Open Link," and the browser should handle the file accordingly.

    If the .WAX file doesn't open with any of these methods, it might be worth checking if the file is corrupted or if it requires a specific plugin or codec that you don't have installed.

  • Are there any specific steps or instructions to follow in order to successfully open and access the contents of a .WAX file?

    A .WAX file is an audio file format used by Windows Media Player to store metadata and playlist information. However, it does not contain the actual audio data. To access the contents of a .WAX file, you need to follow these steps:

    1. Understand the purpose: A .WAX file is not meant to be opened directly as it does not contain audio data. It is a reference file used by Windows Media Player to point to the actual audio files.
    2. Locate the associated media files: The .WAX file references the actual audio files, which could be in various formats like .MP3, .WMA, or .AAC. Look for the audio files mentioned in the .WAX file.
    3. Open the audio files: Once you locate the audio files, you can open them using a media player like Windows Media Player, VLC Media Player, or iTunes, depending on the file format.
    4. Use a text editor: If you want to view the contents of the .WAX file itself, you can open it with a text editor like Notepad or Notepad++. However, the file will contain XML code that may not be easily understandable or useful for regular users.

    Remember, the .WAX file is primarily used by Windows Media Player to manage playlists and metadata, so it's more important to focus on accessing the actual audio files rather than the .WAX file itself.
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