Why .WM Files Disappear After Formatting and How to Get Them Back

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 .WM file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Why .WM Files Disappear After Formatting and How to Get Them Back
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What is a .WM file?

Windows Media audio or video file; may contain audio, video, or both types of data; formatted using the Windows Media Player codec.

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

There can be several common causes for ".WM" files (Windows Media) to be lost or fail:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".WM" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. File system corruption: If the file system on the storage device where the ".WM" files are stored gets corrupted, it can lead to file loss or failure.
  3. Hardware failure: Issues with the hard drive or other storage media can result in the loss or failure of ".WM" files. This can include physical damage, bad sectors, or other hardware malfunctions.
  4. Software or system crashes: If the software or system crashes while working with ".WM" files, it can cause data corruption or loss.
  5. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and corrupt ".WM" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  6. Improper file transfer: If the ".WM" files are not transferred properly, such as interrupted or incomplete transfers, it can lead to file corruption or loss.
  7. Software or system updates: Sometimes, software or system updates can cause compatibility issues with ".WM" files, leading to file failure or loss.
  8. Power outages or sudden shutdowns: Unexpected power outages or sudden shutdowns can result in the loss or corruption of ".WM" files that were being accessed or saved at the time.

It is important to regularly back up ".WM" files and maintain a reliable data recovery system to minimize the impact of these causes.

How to recover lost ".WM" 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 ".WM" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 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 ".WM" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".WM" 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 ".WM" 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 ".WM" 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 ".WM" extension?

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

Programs that open ".WM" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Video Microsoft Windows Video
Microsoft Windows Media Player Microsoft Windows Media Player
Digital Cloud Technologies Media Player Digital Cloud Technologies Media Player

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Media File

  • File extension: .WM

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Video Files

  • Format: Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 16:40 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .WM 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 .WM file extension and what does it stand for?

    The .WM file extension stands for Windows Media. It is a file format developed by Microsoft for audio and video files. Files with the .WM extension typically contain compressed audio or video data that can be played using Windows Media Player or other compatible media players.

  • How can I open a .WM file and what programs are compatible with it?

    To open a .WM file, you can use various media players and video editing software. Here are some programs compatible with .WM files:

    1. Windows Media Player: This is the default media player for Windows operating systems, and it can easily open .WM files.
    2. VLC Media Player: A popular cross-platform media player that supports a wide range of file formats, including .WM files.
    3. Windows Movie Maker: A video editing software for Windows that can import and edit .WM files.
    4. Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional video editing software that supports .WM files and offers advanced editing capabilities.
    5. QuickTime Player: A media player for macOS that can open .WM files with the help of Flip4Mac components.
    6. RealPlayer: A media player that can open and play .WM files, along with many other formats.
    7. KMPlayer: A versatile media player available for Windows, macOS, and Android, which supports .WM files.
    8. MPlayer: An open-source media player that can handle .WM files on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    These are just a few examples, and there are many more programs available that can open .WM files.

  • Are there any specific steps or software requirements to successfully open and play a .WM file?

    To successfully open and play a .WM file, you will need the appropriate software and follow these steps:

    1. Software requirements: You need a media player that supports .WM files. The most common media player for Windows is Windows Media Player, which natively supports .WM files. However, there are other media players available that can also play .WM files, such as VLC media player, KMPlayer, or PotPlayer.
    2. Install the media player: If you don't have a media player installed on your computer, you need to download and install one. Visit the official website of the media player you choose and follow the instructions to download and install it.
    3. Open the media player: Once the media player is installed, launch it by double-clicking on its icon.
    4. Open the .WM file: In the media player, go to the "File" menu or click on the "Open" button. Browse to the location where the .WM file is stored and select it.
    5. Play the .WM file: After opening the .WM file, the media player should automatically start playing it. If not, you can click on the play button or use the keyboard shortcut (usually Spacebar) to start playing the file.

    Note: If you encounter any issues playing the .WM file, make sure you have the latest version of the media player installed. Additionally, if the file is corrupted or the codec required to play the file is missing, you may need to convert the .WM file to a different format or repair the file before playing it.
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