Downloading Songs to Windows 11 from iTunes

When I download songs from iTunes to my Windows 11 laptop, I am unable to play the songs or use them on an external device I have. The songs download with the .m4p extension. I looked at Apple's support and saw that I should go to Edit then Preferences and change the setting under Import Settings. I changed it to MP3 and every other option available and nothing works. It still downloads with the .m4p extension and will NOT play on my laptop (without going through iTunes) and will not play on my external device. Please Help.