Opening a CDA File

The CDA file type is primarily associated with Media Player.

CDA	File extension: CDA
	File type:	CD track shortcut

What is a CDA file?

CDA files mostly belong to Media Player by Microsoft. CDA filename extension is associated with a 44-byte shortcut file generated for each audio track on an audio CD while playing it on Windows. The file is named TRACK##.CDA (where ## is the track number) and saved in the folder of the CD that is being played/viewed. A CDA file does not contain actual audio content. Instead, it contains indexing information which media players use to identify the start/end point of each track on the disc. For this reason, a CDA file is basically useless when copied to a computer by itself. Some programs make it appear the file contains audio as recorded material starts when a CDA file is clicked but that's just the software operating and not actual data in the file. CDA is also the filename extension of specifier data files used by Giza office space design software.

How to open CDA files

You need a suitable software like Media Player to open a CDA file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your CDA file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a CDA file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

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Programs that open and convert CDA files:

Media Player by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. CDA files are often referred to as Media Player audios because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Giza (specifier data) by 2020
Giza is a computer-aided design software used to design office spaces. It uses specifier data saved in a CDA file. This file format is classified as CAD.
iTunes (CD track shortcut) by Apple
iTunes is a multimedia playback and streaming software for macOS and Windows. When playing a compact disc on Windows, iTunes can use CDA shortcuts and indexing data generated for actual audio tracks in the CD. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: .cda file
VLC (CD track shortcut) by VideoLAN
VLC is a free, cross-platform program for playing and converting audio and video files. It can read and use audio CD tracks shortcuts data saved in CDA files. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: .cda file

CDA file format:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Each file format has a unique extension and almost always a unique signature. For example, Microsoft Word documents have the extension .docx and the signature (usually the first 3 characters in this file) PK. Nonetheless, different programs can utilize the same file extension to represent distinct file formats. Double-clicking on the file often results in an error when opening. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Below is our analysis of the CDA files:

You will often come across the CDA file type. This is primarily used by a single program. The two most popular formats are as follows:

98% of all CDA files are CD Audio track shortcut files, which are using the popular RIFF file format. RIFF files store data in tagged chunks. There are primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video. They consist of unreadable binary data. CDA files are between 44 bytes and 50 bytes in size. The file type was used 20 years ago. The following keywords are characteristic: CDDAfmt and RIFF$. Examples of file names are Track01.cda or Track02.cda.

The remaining 2% of all CDA files are files with no common format. If you want to find out what your CDA file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for CDA File Extension

File classification:

Audio

Related files:

cdda, cd, cde, riff, dca, oda, music, ada, exec, cpa, sda, cga, cds, cba, rip, cdc, vca, cdf, check, tda, wmz, mp4, ifo

Related links:

.cda file

Mime type:

application/x-cdf

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: ati_cdafile, FileType: CD Audio Track, AppName: ATI Multimedia Center
EXEFile: ATIMMC.EXE

ProgramID: CDAFile, FileType: CD Audio, AppName: Windows Media Player
EXEFile: wmplayer.exe

ProgramID: cdafile, FileType: CD Audio Track, AppName: CD Player accessory

ProgramID: CDAFile, FileType: CD Audio Track, AppName: CDPLYR

ProgramID: CDAFile, FileType: CD Audio Track, AppName: iTunes

ProgramID: CDAFile, FileType: CD Audio Track, AppName: Microsoft(R) Windows Media Player
EXEFile: wmplayer.exe

ProgramID: CDAFile, FileType: CD Audio Track, AppName: Windows Media Player
EXEFile: wmplayer.exe

ProgramID: CDAfile, FileType: CDAfile, AppName: AudioStation® Special Edition

ProgramID: iTunes.cda, FileType: Audio CD Track, AppName: iTunes
EXEFile: iTunes.exe

ProgramID: MMJB.CDA, FileType: CD Audio track, AppName: MUSICMATCH Jukebox
EXEFile: mmjblaunch.exe

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1, FileType: CD Audio, AppName: RealOne Player
EXEFile: RealPlay.exe

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1, FileType: CD Audio, AppName: RealPlayer
EXEFile: RealPlay.exe

ProgramID: Roxio.file.audio.cda, FileType: CD Audio Track, AppName: Roxio AudioCentral Player
EXEFile: RxPlayer.exe

ProgramID: Sonique.File, FileType: Sonique File, AppName: Sonique

ProgramID: UltraPlayer.AudioFile, FileType: UltraPlayer File, AppName: UltraPlayer Multimedia Player Application
EXEFile: UPlayer.exe

ProgramID: VoyCDFile, FileType: VoyCDFile, AppName: AudioStation 32 (TM)

ProgramID: Winamp.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: BSPlayer
EXEFile: bsplay.exe

ProgramID: Winamp.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: Winamp
EXEFile: Winamp.exe

ProgramID: Winamp3.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: Winamp3
EXEFile: studio.exe

ProgramID: Winamp3.File, FileType: Winamp media file, AppName: Winamp3
EXEFile: winamp3.exe

ProgramID: ALLPlayerFile
EXEFile: D:\aaa\MarBit\ALLPlayer\ALLPlayer.exe %1

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open %L

ProgramID: iTunes.cda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open %L

ProgramID: iTunes.cda
EXEFile: D:\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open %L

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealOne Player\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: Roxio.file.audio.cda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxPlayer.exe /openfiles %L

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\JetAudio\JetAudio.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Netscape\Communicator\Winamp\winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp3.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp3\Studio.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp3.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp3\winamp3.exe %1

ProgramID: MediaSource.cdaFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Creative\MediaSource\CTCMS.exe /PlayNow %1

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Napster\NapsterClient.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp5.08\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: CDAfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DSPlayer\DSPlayer_v0.59.5_alpha.exe %1

ProgramID: cdafile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe %1

ProgramID: ACEMegaCoDecSPack.CDAudioTrackS
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACE Mega CoDecS Pack\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe %1 /open

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp5\Winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: ACEMegaCoDecSPack.CDAudioTrackS
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACE Mega CoDecS Pack\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\RealRhapsody\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: iriverplus.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\iriver\iriver plus\iplus.exe %1

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.exe %1

ProgramID: MMJB.CDA
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MusicMatch\MusicMatch Jukebox\MMJB.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\COMCAS~1\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Rhapsody\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealJukebox\realjbox.exe /play %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Comcast Rhapsody\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\COMCAS~2\rhapsody.exe %1

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\NCH Swift Sound\WavePad\wavepad.exe %L

ProgramID: NeroShowTime.Files.cda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Ahead\Nero ShowTime\ShowTime.exe

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MEDIAM~1\MEDIAM~2.EXE

ProgramID: Media_Source_U.cdaFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Creative\MediaSource5\CTCMSu.exe /PlayNow

ProgramID: PDVDfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PowerDVD.exe

ProgramID: WinRip.cda.2
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\InterVideo\WinRip\WinRip.exe

ProgramID: CtraxPlayer.2.File
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\CtrxPl.exe /Play

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\WINDOW~1\wmplayer.exe /Open

ProgramID: iTunes.cda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickTime\iTunes.exe /open

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACE Mega CoDecS Pack\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Best Buy Rhapsody\rhapsody.exe

ProgramID: WMP11.AssocFile.CDA
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Open

ProgramID: CDAFile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\cdplayer.exe -play

ProgramID: QMP.audio
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Quintessential Media Player\QMPlayer.exe /open

ProgramID: KMPlayer.cda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\The KMPlayer\KMPlayer.exe

ProgramID: CD.Digital.Audio.file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\coolpro2\coolpro2.exe

ProgramID: PhatMan
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PhatNoise Music Manager\PhatMan.exe

ProgramID: QCD.audio
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\quintessential player\qcdplayer.exeexec

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MEDIAM~1\MEDIAM~1.EXE

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\COMCAS~1\Rhapsody.exe

ProgramID: qvodplayer.cda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QvodPlayer\QvodPlayer.exe -localfile

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey (non-skinned).exe

ProgramID: MediaMonkey.CDAFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MediaMonkey\MediaMonkey.exe

ProgramID: iTunes.cda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\iTunes.exe /open

ProgramID: KuGoo.CDA
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\KuGou\KuGou2008\KuGoo.exe /Open

ProgramID: Rhapsody.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BESTBU~1\rhapsody.exe

ProgramID: BearShare.file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BearShare Applications\BearShare\BearShare.exe

ProgramID: RealJukebox.CDA.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Dhamu\Download\RealPlay.exe

Show all 81 listings To Top

a cda CD track shortcut is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with CDA files

Associate the CDA file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open cd track shortcuts. Because only the current version supports the latest CDA file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Microsoft manufacturer website after an available Media Player update.
To make sure that your CDA file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .CDA file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.