Open AAC File
A file with the AAC extension is a type of MPEG-2 Advanced Audio Coding file.
It is similar to the MP3 audio format but includes some performance improvements.
iTunes and Apple's iTunes Music Store use the AAC format as the default encoding method for their music files.
It is also the standard audio format for Nintendo DSi and 3DS, PlayStation 3, DivX Plus Web Player, and other devices and platforms.
Advanced Audio Coding files can definitely use the AAC file extension, but are more commonly seen wrapped in the M4A file wrapper and thus often have the M4A file extension.
How to open or play an AAC file
You can open AAC file with almost any media player, such as iTunes, VLC, Media Player Classic (MPC-HC), Windows Media Player, MPlayer, Audials One.
The AAC file extension is similar, in extension, to AAE (Sidecar Image Format), AAF, AA (Generic CD Image), AAX (Audible Enhanced Audiobook), ACC (Graphics Accounts Data), and DAA files, but that doesn't mean that necessarily have nothing to do with each other or that can be opened with the same programs.
If you find that an application on your PC is trying to open the AAC file but it is the wrong application, or if you prefer another installed program to open AAC files, see your software's guide for more information.
Software to open an AAC file
How to open AAC files
Typical AAC application file locations:
C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1""C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:6 /Play "%L"
Typical AAC mime types:
audio/aac
Frequently used application names to open AAC files:
- QuickTime
- Windows Media Player
Frequently associated Windows objects:
QuickTime.aacWMP11.AssocFile.ADTS