How To Convert AAC To MP3

By: Daniel Parrish

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Need to know how to convert an AAC to an MP3? AAC encoded files are audio files that are higher quality than MP3 encoded audio files. However, if you still wish to convert your AAC encoded files to MP3 format, then follow the steps in this guide!

  1. Determine which AAC files you want to convert. Since you want to convert from AAC to MP3, you probably have a bunch of AAC encoded files all over the place. Figure out which ones you want to convert to MP3. Now, put them all in one place to keep them organized. Go to your desktop and create a new folder. You can name it whatever you want. Now, move all the AAC encoded files into the newly created folder.
  2. Get WinFF. WinFF is a program designed purely for file converting. It works great for everything, including converting from AAC to MP3. To get it, open your favorite web browser. Once it's opened type "winff.org" into the address bar. Then press enter. Now, click on the “Downloads” tab. If you have Windows, then click on the icon with "MS Windows Installer 1.x (Latest Version)," with "X" being a number. WinFF will start downloading automatically. It should take less than a second to finish downloading, unless you have a very slow internet connection.
  3. Install WinFF. Once it has finished downloading, locate the WinFF installation file. Once you have found it, double click on the icon to start the installer. Follow the instructions for installing WinFF. It should be pretty simple.
  4. Converting AAC to MP3. Once WinFF has finished installing, run the program by clicking on the icon. WinFF should pop up. Now, go to the folder that you created in the first step. Select all the AAC files you want to convert. Now, drag and drop them all into the white space in the WinFF program. They should all show up in a list in WinFF now. Look through the list to make sure that all your AAC files are on the list. Now, click on the drop-list under "Convert To," then scroll down the list and click on "Audio." Then, under "Device Preset," click on the drop-list and click on MP3. Then, click on the button that says "Convert."
  5. Waiting and patience. A black window with loads of white text should show up. Don't do anything with it now. Don't close it or anything because WinFF is now converting your AAC encoded files to MP3 format. If you are converting a lot of AAC encoded files to MP3, this could take a little while, so be patient. However, pay a little bit of attention to the black box because when it says "Press any key to continue," this means that you're done. Press any key on your keyboard and the black box should now close. Now, close WinFF.
  6. Test the MP3 files. Go to your "Documents" folder, and you should now see the newly-made MP3 files. If you don't see them, you may need to scroll down to see them. Once you have found them, open them up to test them. If they still work just fine and you can hear the sound, the conversions have been successful!
Posted on: Oct. 01, 2010