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WMZ WMS
File conversion

Convert WMZ to WMS

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 16, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert WMZ to WMS?
Yes - WMZ converts to WMS.

Open the .wmz in 7-Zip or rename it to .zip and use File Explorer, then drag out the .wms file. No re-encoding occurs - it is a straight archive extraction.

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Nov 2026

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Why convert WMZ to WMS?

A .wmz file is a ZIP package; the .wms inside is the XML-like markup defining the Windows Media Player skin layout, button positions, and scripting hooks. Extracting it is the first step in any skin-editing workflow - you need the plain-text .wms to modify an existing skin.

How to convert WMZ to WMS

7-Zip FREE

Right-click the .wmz and choose 7-Zip > Open archive, then select the .wms file and click Extract to unpack it as plain text.

WinRAR APP

Right-click the .wmz, choose Open with WinRAR, select the .wms file and click Extract To to save it to a folder.

About these formats

.WMZ Windows Media Player Skin

A WMZ file is a Windows Media Player skin package - a renamed ZIP archive containing a skin definition file (.wms), bitmap graphics, and JScript. Double-click it in the legacy Windows Media…

Open .WMZ details →
.WMS Windows Media Player Skins

A .WMS file is associated with Windows Media Player Skins, a settings file.

Open .WMS details →

Quality & what to watch

  • The .wms file is XML-like plain text and can be read or edited in any text editor after extraction.
  • A .wmz archive can contain more than one .wms file, though most skins include only one.
  • WMZ skins can include JScript that runs inside the player; inspect the script files before applying a skin from an untrusted source.

Frequently asked questions

Is this really a format conversion?
No - the .wms file already exists inside the .wmz archive; extraction is just unpacking, not re-encoding.
Can I edit the `.wms` and repackage the skin?
Yes - edit the .wms and any bitmap files, then re-ZIP all the files with 7-Zip and rename the archive back to .wmz.
Is a `.wmz` skin the same as a Winamp skin `.wsz`?
No - .wmz is a Windows Media Player skin and .wsz is a Winamp skin; they are different formats for different players.