How to Convert a song to a different file format with the Apple Music app or iTunes for Windows?

Follow the steps in the PC subsection of the 'Convert songs in your music library' section of:

Convert a song to a different file format with the Apple Music app or iTunes for Windows - Apple Support

Don't right click on the song. Simply select it using a left click. Then (in the top iTunes menu bar) choose File > Convert, then Create MP3 Version.

You cannot covert music that you lease with an Apple Music subscription. They are copy-protected to only play on Apple-approved devices. However, you should be able to convert music that you purchase from the iTunes Store.

Glad it worked. I do not work for Apple. I'm not exactly sure, but I believe you can use the column browser to display songs in your library by file type (MP3, WAV, AIFF, etc.). See:

Sort songs in Music on Mac - Apple Support

which I believe works the same on a PC with iTunes.

Here’s a step-by-step that might help:

1. Ensure Your iTunes is Set Up Correctly: It sounds like you've got the right idea by heading to Edit > Preferences > Import Settings and selecting MP3 Encoder. That's perfect.
2. Finding the Convert Option: Since right-clicking isn't showing the "Create MP3 Version," let's try a different approach. Sometimes, the layout or options might be a bit different depending on the version of iTunes or Music app you're using.
3. Manual Convert to MP3: Here’s another way to convert songs:

• • After changing the import settings to use the MP3 encoder, go to your music library and select the song or songs you want to convert.
  • Then, instead of right-clicking, look for a menu at the top of iTunes. If you're on a Mac, you'll find "File" in the top menu bar. If you're on Windows, it might be slightly different, but you're looking for a similar "File" menu.
  • Under "File," navigate through "Convert" > "Create MP3 Version." This should start the conversion process.

I've been trying to convert my audio all evening, using this method, without success. I purchased my music on itunes, paying $1,40 or so per track. More than 10 years ago. I just managed to install itunes for windows and add my old library to it. I went through the preferences and added mp3 as my import format. For some songs, I can see "purchased AAC audio file" in the column which kind they are. Those I am able to convert to mp3. Then however I also have songs displayed as "Protected AAC audio file" and those I cannot convert. It tells me protected files cannot be converted to other formats. But when I go my account, and check my purchase history, I can still see that I purchased some songs e.g. in 2008 (yes I'm old, too) for some amount of money. I think apple music wasn't even around back then. It was definitely a purchase of songs that I paid money for, for each single track. No time limited subscription, I avoid those. I also tried deleting the files and re-downloading them. When I delete a file from my library, then it becomes a "Purchased AAC audio file". I can't convert it then, because the file can't be found. The option is actually grey. Then I download it again by pressing the little cloud symbol which has appeared. The file changes back to "protected AAC audio file" and goes back to telling me that it can't be converted. I hope this is something simple as well that I'm missing. Thanks for any help.

Hi,

Songs prior to 2009 can be burned to CD then reimport as mp3. If you subscribed to iTunes Match, it is possible to upgrade tracks to 256 Kbps AAC either as Purchased AAC or Matched AAC. Track not upgraded can still be burned to CD.

Jim

Do you know why when I try this it says my files are protected and I complete the action?