How to Change the Metadata of MP3 Files in Windows 11

Sorcim Technologies (pvt) Ltd Official Uncategorized

Metadata in the current digital age is also significant in structuring, naming, and managing digital files. For MP3 files, metadata comprises details like the artist, album, genre, and track number that are stored inside the file. Windows 11, with its sophisticated file management features, provides several means of editing and modifying MP3 file metadata. Whether you are maintaining your music collection or editing mislabeled file tags, knowing how to edit MP3 metadata is the key to sound file management. This article looks at the best ways and techniques for altering MP3 file metadata in Windows 11, covering both built-in solutions and suggestions for third-party software.

Understanding MP3 Metadata

MP3 metadata is the organized information contained in an MP3 file. Such information, typically held in ID3 tag format, facilitates players and file systems to show related information like:

  • Title (Song Title)
  • Artist (Performer or artist)
  • Album (Album title)
  • Genre (Music)
  • Year (Release date)
  • Track Number (Number on the album)

Proper and well-organized metadata not only improves user experience but also helps in the classification of files and searching.

Techniques to Change MP3 Metadata in Windows 11

Method 01: Using File Explorer

Windows 11 offers an easy way to modify simple metadata directly from File Explorer.

  1. Find the MP3 File: Open File Explorer and go to the folder where the MP3 file is stored.
  2. Access File Properties: Right-click on the MP3 file and choose Properties from the context menu.
  3. Modify Metadata: Under the Properties window, proceed to the Details tab. In this tab, you will have fields like Title, Artist, Album, Genre, and Year. To modify any of these fields, click on the value that you wish to change and insert the new data.
  4. Apply Changes: Once you have made the changes required, click Apply, followed by OK to save the metadata.

This approach is suitable for small edits but is not very powerful, especially when one needs to work on bulk edits or more complex metadata adjustments.

Method 02:  Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player, though a bit outdated, continues to offer an easy interface for editing the metadata of MP3 files.

  1. Open Windows Media Player: Open Windows Media Player by looking for it in the Start menu.
  2. Import the MP3 File: Drag and drop the MP3 file into the Windows Media Player library.
  3. Edit Metadata: Right-click the song in the library and choose Edit. A dialog will pop up where you can edit the song’s metadata, such as title, artist, album, and genre.
  4. Save Changes: Once you have made changes, click Save to save the file’s metadata.

This is convenient but doesn’t have the advanced features for bulk editing or fine control over ID3 tags.

Method 03: Third-Party Software for Advanced MP3 Metadata Editing

For those who need more sophisticated metadata editing capabilities in Windows 11, third-party software provides additional features such as batch editing, tag customization, and online database integration. For instance, MP3Tag is among the best and strongest utilities available to edit MP3 metadata. It features a simple interface and handles a broad number of file types other than MP3, including FLAC, WAV, and AAC.

Steps to Edit MP3 Metadata with MP3Tag:

  1. Download and Install MP3Tag: Go to the official MP3Tag website and install the tool on your Windows 11 computer.
  2. Add MP3 Files: Launch MP3Tag, then drag and drop the MP3 files into the tool window.
  3. Edit Metadata: Choose an MP3 file, and you’ll see all its metadata in the panel. You can modify fields like title, artist, album, year, genre, and even include custom tags. MP3Tag also enables you to modify album covers and download metadata from internet databases like Discogs or MusicBrainz.
  4. Batch Edit: MP3Tag has batch editing capabilities, enabling you to modify tags of several files at once. This is especially helpful for large music library users.
  5. Save Changes: Once modifications have been made, press Save to update the MP3 file with the new metadata.

Why MP3Tag?

  • Supports batch processing for quick editing of large libraries.
  • Integrates with online databases for automatic filling of tags.
  • Free to use with optional donation.

Moreover, for users who want a more automated experience, MusicBrainz Picard is a powerful, open-source application that uses the MusicBrainz database to retrieve reliable metadata. The tool is perfect for collections of music that require accurate tagging.

Steps to Edit MP3 Metadata Using MusicBrainz Picard:

  1. Download and Install MusicBrainz Picard: Open Picard and drag your MP3 files into the program.
  2. Add MP3 Files: Open Picard and drag your MP3 files into the program.
  3. Scan for Metadata: Click the Scan button, and Picard will scan your files against entries in the MusicBrainz database.
  4. Review and Edit Metadata: Picard will offer suggested tags based on the database. Users can manually correct these tags or approve the suggested changes.
  5. Save Changes: Upon reviewing the changes, click on Save to push the updated metadata to the MP3 files.

Using such tools and the best practices provided, users will be able to tag their MP3 files well, enhancing the organization and improving the overall experience of the users.