How to Open .APE Files

A computer file with the extension APE is an audio file compressed with the Monkey's Audio codec. Monkey's Audio is a "lossless" codec; unlike the better-known MP3 codec, Monkey's Audio discards no audio information when encoding data. Although the resulting file is much larger than an MP3 file, it is exactly the same as the original audio file copied from a CD. Windows Media Player does not have the built-in ability to play APE files, but you can add support for the APE format by installing the Monkey's Audio software.

Open a Web browser, and navigate to the Monkey's Audio download page:
monkeysaudio.com/download.html. Click the "Click Here to Download" graphic, and save the file "MAC_410.exe" to the desktop. Note that the version number of the Monkey's Audio software is subject to change as new versions are released.

Double-click the file "MAC_410.exe on the desktop when the download is complete. A new window titled "Setup -- Monkey's Audio" appears. Click "Next."

Click the "I accept the agreement" radio button to agree to the license terms for Monkey's Audio, and then click "Next."

Click the "Browse" button to select an installation folder for the Monkey's Audio software, or click "Next" to use the default location of "C:\Program Files\Monkey's Audio."

Type the name that you would like to use for the Monkey's Audio folder on the Start menu. Click "Next."

Click "Install" to install the Monkey's Audio software on your computer, and then click "Finish" when the process is complete.

Launch Windows Media Player. Press the "Ctrl" and "O" keys simultaneously, and then double-click the APE file that you want to play.