How to unzip an MDF file. How to open an MDF file? Opening images using daemon tools

27.04.2024

MDF is a disk image file created with special programs. When an image is created, the content is copied exactly from the original media and can be restored to it later. The mdf disk image can be mounted, which makes it possible, for example, to run games without a disk. The format itself is binary, all the main information is stored in mdf, and secondary information (headings, lists, artist names) is stored in the mds file.

What free programs can open mdf?

is a free program for working with disk images, but unlike the full version, it allows you to mount no more than 4 images into the system. The program also allows you to install protection on emulated disks, as well as bypass protection on real ones, which allows you to take images from disks of games and other applications. It's also worth noting that images can be sorted by category, which is quite convenient if you have a lot of them.
is the best free Windows application for working with CDs and DVDs. It can be used to create a copy of DVDs and CDs. In addition, the program allows you to store your most used CDs as images on your computer, and allows you to mount them on 1 of 4 virtual drives with the click of a button.
– The best free archiver, the developers took care of the functionality of the program. 7zip supports a huge number of extensions, from the banal zip to mdf disk images. Very small in size, with a rather nice design, it allows you to edit, view and extract files from an mdf image.

You may have often come across files with the MDF or MDS extension. This is a special type of images that are recorded from CDs and DVDs. As a rule, an MDS file goes along with an MDF to create libraries, correctly display tracklist names and sequences. If you delete or simply lose the MDS file, then nothing bad will happen: the MDF will still be successfully unpacked. But if you delete MDF, the second file will simply become unnecessary.

How MDF opens

The MDF format can be opened with common unpacking and imaging programs. As a rule, the most common ones are chosen:

Daemon Tools;
Alcohol 120%;
Ultra ISO;
Nero.

They all have their own differences and features; in this article we will use the Daemon Tools Lite utility, since it is distributed free of charge, is easy to configure and easily copes with MDF reading. To download, please visit the official website https://www.daemon-tools.cc/rus/downloads

Click “Download”. If you want to use the full licensed version, then click “Buy”. Installing the utility is quite simple:

Open the Daemon Tools installer after downloading;
Agree to the license agreement;
Select the installation directory. It is advisable that this is not a local disk;
Organize the location of shortcuts and quick access to the program.

After this, you will be able to work with MDS and MDF files.

How to open an MDF file

When getting started, remember that you must be logged into an administrative account. Otherwise, installing the program and reading MDF may have problems.

You can now access Daemon Tools from the Start panel. Click on the program icon.

Once the utility opens, click on the “Quick Mount” icon. It is located separately from the others at the very bottom of the window on the left.

Find the MDF and MDS files on your computer in the window that opens. You can open the MDF file separately, then you will not be able to burn it for DVD and CD players in the correct sequence. If you open both MDF and MDS, then the video and tracks will be played in a clear sequence, according to the settings in the MDS file.

If you cannot mount the image, then you may have problems with the drive. Click on the “Add drive” line.

Now set the correct settings:

The virtual drive line should contain the value “DT”;
DVD region can be left at number 1;
In the “Mount” section, put the letter that will correspond to the virtual drive. You can choose as you wish.

Click “Add Drive”.

You can now open MDF files directly from the folder. Just right-click on the file and select “Open with”, and then “Daemon Tools Lite”.

Don’t forget to update the program promptly so that it can read all popular formats and files properly.

Not many PC users, especially beginners, know what files with the mdf and mds extensions are needed for, and when they come across them, they don’t know what to do with them. Today we will look at what these files are, and also describe in detail how to open them using various utilities.

What are mdf and mds files

A document with the mdf extension stores so-called CD and DVD disk images, that is, all the data that was recorded on the disk and then copied to a file. Another mds document can be called a complement to the mdf file. It contains information about the structure of the media, a description of the disk tracks, that is, service information. Without an mdf file, it does not carry any value, so in programs they usually open not mds, but an mdf file.

Many special utilities have been developed to run these types of files. They allow you not only to open disk images, but also to create and edit them.

Why do you need to open files with the mdf extension? For example, the file may contain a game or movie that was copied from a disk at some point. You downloaded a game from a torrent, but it turned out to be in mdf format. What to do in this case? Install the desired program and open the file, and then play the game in it.

What programs are used to open mdf and mds files on Windows 10

The program for mdf files is called "virtual drive". This is the new invisible drive in your computer. A “disk” is inserted into it, that is, an mdf file (copy of the disk), and it begins to read the information that is on it. As a result, you can use the game or program as if you had launched it from a regular CD. Let's consider today the most popular utilities for launching mdf and mds files.

Daemon Tools Lite

One of the most famous programs for launching disk images in mdf format and with other extensions. It has a simple interface, meaning even a beginner can quickly understand it.

The developers offer both free and paid versions. The downside of the free version is that the user will be constantly shown advertising. The paid version will get rid of it.

In any browser, open the official website of Daemon Tools Lite. Find the program in the list of presented ones and click on the “Download” button. Click on the “Download” button called Daemon Tools Lite
Open the downloaded installation file. Click on "Yes" to confirm that you allow this application to make changes to your computer.
Click on "Yes" to allow the program to make changes to your device
Select a license type. In this case, it will be a free version of the program with advertising.
Select a free license type
The download of the files required by the program will begin.
Wait until the installer downloads all files for further installation
Click on “Install”.
Click on the "Install" button to start the process
Select the language of the future program interface. Click “Next”.
Select the program interface language
Leave a checkmark next to "Free License". Left-click on “Next” again.
Confirm that you want to use the free version of the program
In the next window, you can optionally create a shortcut for the program on the Desktop and in the Start menu, and also allow the utility to send anonymous statistics. Leave or clear the checkboxes and click “Next”.
Create a program shortcut on the Desktop and in the Start menu
Select a folder to save all program files and click “Install”.
Select the folder in which the program files will be saved
During the installation process, the system will ask you to confirm the installation of the software. Click on "Install".
Click on “Install” in the window that appears
The program will offer to download and install “Yandex.Browser” and its elements on your computer. If you do not need these additional programs, uncheck all the boxes. Click on "Finish" to launch Daemon Tools Lite.
Uncheck the boxes to cancel the installation of additional software and click on “Finish”
Now let's open the mdf file. Launch the Windows tray in the lower right corner of the screen. Right-click on the program icon and select “Mount”.
Click on "Mount"
In Windows Explorer, find the required file and click “Open”.
Find the mdf file in Windows Explorer
All the data that was in your file will appear in the program window.
Another way to open an mdf file is in the program window itself. Launch it and go to the “Images” tab. Click the plus icon in the top right corner.
Click on the plus sign in the upper right corner of the window
Find the file you need through Windows Explorer. After adding the image, open it using the "Mount" option.
Find the mdf file using Windows Explorer
You can instantly open the file using the “Quick Mount” button in the lower left corner of the program window.

Video: Installing Daemon Tools Lite on PC

Alcohol 120%

Alcohol 120% allows you not only to mount (open) mdf files, but also to burn existing images to physical media - CDs. Another advantage of the program is that it can bypass disk copy protection in order to create mdf files. The disadvantage of this software is that it is paid. However, you can download and use the program for 15 days for free. The program works on Windows 7 and higher.

Using any browser, go to the official page to download Alcohol 120%.
Select Click to Download Alcohol 120% Free Edition and click on the globe next to it.
Click on the globe next to Click to Download Alcohol 120% Free Edition
In the new tab, in the Download tab, click on the green button.
Click on the green Download button
The archive will download. Open it and run the file Alcohol120_retail.
Click Next.
Click on I Agree.
Uncheck iSCSI SErvice and Online manual and click Next.
Select the installation folder and click on Install. Wait for the installation to complete.
Click on Finish - the program window will open. Go to the “Image Search” section.
Open the “Image Search” tab
Select the drive where you want to find the file.
Select the drive where you want to search for the file
Mark the type of file you want the program to find in the line in the upper right corner. Click on the "Search" button.
Select the file type you want to search for
Select the required files from the list. Click on “Add selected to Alcohol”.
In the main window you will see the file you just added. Right-click on it and select the first option “Mount to device”.
Click on “Mount to device”
In the lower separate window of the program you will find a virtual disk to which the image is assigned. Remember its letter.
Remember the letter of the device on which the disk image was mounted
Launch Windows Explorer and open the drive with this letter - in the window you will see the contents of the image (file).
Open the appropriate drive through Windows Explorer

Video: how to install Alcohol 120%

Ultra ISO

The UltraISO utility quickly opens not only files with the mdf extension, but also other types of documents that store disk images. With this tool you can also:

burn files to CDs;
change image data;
convert them to ISO images.

The disadvantage of the program is that it is paid, just like Alcohol 120%. Even if you only want to use free programs, it will suit you for a single need to open a file, since the developers provide a free trial period.

How to download the program and then work in it?

Open the official website to download the UltraISO installer. Click on the blue Free Trial button to download your free trial.
Click on Free Trial
Run the downloaded installation file and click on “Yes”.
Check the box “I accept the terms of the agreement.” Click “Next”.
Click on “I accept the terms of the agreement” and then on “Next”
Select the folder to install the program or simply click on “Next” if you are satisfied with the automatically selected location of the files of the future program.
Select the folder to install UltraISO
In the next window, create a program icon on the “Desktop” and establish an association of files with the iso extension with the UltraIS utility. Check the box next to “Install ISO CD/DVD emulator”.
Click "Install".
Click on “Trial period”. A program window will open in which you can open a file with the mdf extension.
Click on "Trial Period"
Click on “Tools” on the top panel of the window. Select "Mount to virtual drive". In the small window that appears, select the file using the three-dot button. Click on "Mount".
Select file to mount
Open “This PC” (shortcut on the “Desktop”). Start the disk on which the file was mounted.
Open the file in Windows Explorer

Video: how to install UltraISO on PC

Magic ISO Maker

Magic ISO Maker is a program with advanced functionality that you can use to:

create disk images with games, programs and operating systems;
edit finished files;
burn the image to DVD, CD and BD discs;
copy data from one medium to another without saving information on the PC hard drive if it has two or more drives.

This tool is built into Windows Explorer. Options for this program appear in the file context menu, which is called up by right-clicking the mouse.

Go to the official Magic ISO Maker resource.
Click on the Download Site 1 link.
Click on Download Site 1
Open the downloaded archive and run the installer.
Click Next.
Click on Next
Using the Browse button, select the folder to install the utility files. Click Next.
Select the download folder and click Next
In the following windows, also click on the Next button.
The installation process will start.
Wait for Magic ISO Maker to install
Once completed, click on Finish.
Click on Register and in the small window enter the data specified in the Key file in the archive. Click on Register again.
You will see that the program is similar to UltraISO. Change the program interface language to Russian in the View section.
Change the language in the View section
To open the mdf file, click on the seventh icon on the top panel. They will be in the form of a disk and a floppy drive.
Open mdf file in Magic ISO Maker
Select the file you want to open.
Then, in Windows Explorer, open the drive that launched the file.

Video: How to install Magic ISO Maker

Power ISO

This is a universal program for working with disk images. What does its functionality include?

Create, edit and open disk images of various formats, including mdf, bin, nrg, daa and others.
Convert mdf file to ISO image.
Write a file to physical media (disk and flash drive).
Creating compressed images. The compression ratio is higher than other programs.
Encryption of images.

Like Magic ISO Power, this tool is built into Windows Explorer, making it very easy to use.

Open the official resource of the Power ISO program. Click on Download Now.
Select the system bit size and click on the appropriate download link. We wait for the file to download and open it. Click on “Yes”.
Click on one of two links to download the installer depending on the bit size of your system
The program will greet you in a blue window. Click on "Next".
Click on "Next" in the blue window
Click on “I Accept.”
Click on “I Accept” to continue installation
The installation of the application will begin. Wait for it to complete.
Wait for the Power ISO installation to finish
Click on “Close”.
Leave a checkmark next to the punt and click “Close”
The utility will immediately offer to purchase the paid version. Click on “Continue”.
Click on “Continue”
In the program window, click on “Open”.
Click on "Open" in the Power ISO window
In Windows Explorer, select the file.
Find the file in the folders and click on "Open"
The mdf file data will appear in the window.

Video: How to Install Power ISO on Windows 10 PC

Cyberlink PowerDVD

This program is designed not only for opening disk images, but also for reading multimedia files, that is, audio and video. If a file with the mdf extension contains a movie or music, you can immediately play it in the program window. The downside of the tool is that with it you will not read disk images with games and programs. Thus, Cyberlink PowerDVD can be called a universal player for audio and video. The program is paid, but initially each user is offered a free version for a month.

Unlike other utilities described in this article, this program opens a file with the mds extension, not mdf, since it contains a list of tracks and other information. However, the accompanying mdf file is still needed. It will act as a data warehouse. The player will refer to it when playing media files. Click on Free Download

On the next page, enter your name in English and write your email address. Then click on Download.

Click on Download

In the "Downloads" of the browser, find the downloaded archive and run the installer in it.

Wait until all files are downloaded for further installation.

Please wait while the Cyberlink PowerDVD installation files download

The next window will greet you with the installer. Click on "Next".

Click on “Next”

Click on "Yes". This will mean that you agree to the terms of the license agreement.

Click on "Yes"

Enter your username and organization name. In the second field you can simply write Home.

Enter your name and click on "Next"

Select a folder to save program files using the Browse button. Click on "Next".

Click on "Next" to install Cyberlink PowerDVD

Click "Next" again.

Click "Next"

Click on “I Accept.” These are the rules for using the MoovieLive service.

Wait for the installation to complete. Click on "Done".

Open the program. Now you can open an mds file with a movie or audio recording. It's very easy to do. On the left side of the screen, find the “My Computer” section and click on it.

Find your mds file in the folders and run it.

Find the mdf file through the "My Computer" section

Video: how to install Cyberlink PowerDVD and start using it

IsoBuster

In addition to opening, creating and editing disk images, the utility also recovers files that were stored on damaged CDs and DVDs. IsoBuster can also check how readable information is on the media without first copying it to a PC.

There are free and paid versions. In the free version, the functionality of the program is not as wide as in the paid version. However, even this base is enough for active work.

Using any browser, open the official IsoBuster download page. Click on Download IsoBuster.
Run the installer and click on “Yes” to allow the application to make changes on the device.
Select a language and click on OK. Select a language for the IsoBuster utility
Select file types to associate with this program. Click “Next”. Select a language for the IsoBuster utility
Check the line “I accept the terms of the agreement” and click “Next”.
Select a folder using the Browse button or leave the one already suggested. Click "Next".

Click on “Finish”.
A window will open. In it, click on Remind me Later.
Click on Remind me later
Click on the File section and then Open Image File.
Click on File and then on Open Image File
In Windows Explorer, find the file with the mdf extension and open it.

mds and mdf files contain data copied from CDs (games, programs, movies, and even operating systems). They are opened by various utilities that are used to create disk images. For some of them you have to pay after the trial period of use has expired. However, there are also shareware ones, such as Daemon Tools Lite, which you can use freely, but still watch ads.

– Igor (Administrator)

There are many different file formats and it's easy for beginners to get confused. For example, not everyone knows that in addition to the ISO format there are other archive files. Therefore, in this article I will tell you what they are and how to open mdf and mds files.

So let's get started.

Note: If you are only interested in how to open an mdf file, then there is a corresponding video at the bottom of the article.

What are files with the mdf and mds extensions for?

The MDF or Media Disc Image File format is designed for storing images of CD and DVD discs. In other words, an archive file within which all the data is stored, much like an ISO file. Therefore, the MDF file is usually quite large in size. Along with this file, the kit always comes with a small file with the MDS extension, which stores all the specific data about the original disk. In order for disk data to be usable, both of these files are needed.

Note: Some programs use this format to store their information. Therefore, before trying to open them, I advise you to make sure that you have an mds file with the same name.

How to open mds file?

As already mentioned, an MDS file stores metadata about the disc, namely the CD or DVD title, track information, etc. Therefore, you cannot open it without an MDF file, which contains the data itself. So, if you hear the phrase “how to open an mds file,” then you should mean an mdf file, which will be discussed further.

Note: It is important to understand that although the MDS file is not opened, it should still be located next to the MDF file.

How to open mdf file?

By default, Windows 7 does not have tools for opening an mdf file, so you need to use programs to emulate CD and DVD drives (there are all the necessary links to programs inside the review). In principle, you can use any of them, but in this article I will show you how to do this using Daemon Tools. The choice was made because it is simple, supports the Russian language and is very easy to use.

Open mdf file with Daemon Tools

First of all, download this program from the review, the link to which was left just above, or enter “Download Daemon Tools Lite” in a search engine. Please note that you need the Lite version, since the others are paid.

During the installation wizard steps, be sure to ensure that "Free License" is selected as shown below

After the program is installed, an icon with a lightning bolt in a circle will appear at the bottom of the notification area (tray), which is intended for quick access to Daemon Tools. Now, you need to right-click on the icon and select the following "Virtual drives" -> "Add virtual SCSI drive", then wait until the drive is created (it may take a while).

Now that the drive is created, you can load the mdf file into it. To do this, right-click on the icon again and select “Virtual drives” -> “Drive 0:” -> “Mount image...”. After this, a window will open where you will need to select your mdf file.

After this, all the information from the mdf file, in other words, a CD or DVD disc, will be available in the created drive. For example, if you were given an image with a free toy, then most likely a window will appear to select an action (autorun, open as directory, etc.). If nothing appears, then open the corresponding drive letter in Explorer (it is listed next to the selected drive in the menu). For example, if you look at the figure above, “Drive 0:” is the drive with the letter “F”.

And for a snack, a corresponding video.

Often the user is faced with the problem of how to open an mdf file. Files with the mdf extension can be of various types, but most often they are images of CD-DVD discs in the Media Disc Image File format.

A disk image is a file generated by a special program for copying to . This disk image stores the data that was recorded on the optical media, as well as additional information.

In order to access the data stored in the mdf file, you need to install a program for working with disk images and then install it as a virtual drive. There are many different programs to solve this problem. Both paid and free. In this short review we will look at some of the most popular ones. So, how to open an mdf file?

One of the most popular programs for working with disk images is the free utility DAEMON Tools Lite. By installing this software, the user will no longer have problems opening mdf files. Moreover, DAEMON Tools Lite allows you to open not only mdf files, but also other popular disk image formats. Using DAEMON Tools Lite, create up to 4 virtual drives, which allows the user to open several mdf files at once.

Main features of DAEMON Tools Lite:

Mounting disk images. Supported formats: mdx, iso, b5t, b6t, bwt, mds/mdf, ccd, cdi, ape/cue, bin/cue, flac/cue, nrg, isz;
Creation and support of up to 4 virtual drives simultaneously;
Virtual drives can operate in SCSI mode. This allows for improved disk emulation;
Creating disk images. Only iso, mds/mdf and mdx are available for creating images;
Compressing disk images;
Protect disk images with a password;
Cataloging and managing a collection of disk images;
Work in the background;
File association support for mounting disk images from any folder;
Control of the main functions of the program using a gadget on the desktop;
Russian language support;

Alcohol 52%

Like DAEMON Tools Lite, this application has a full set of all the necessary functions for creating and connecting CD-DVD images. Alcohol 52% supports a large number of languages, including Russian. This allows even a less experienced user to work comfortably with the program. Alcohol 52% allows you to open mdf files, as well as disk images in CCD, ISO, BIN, CUE, CDI, NRG, BWT, BWS, BWI, BWA formats. In this case, the user can simultaneously connect up to 6 virtual drives.

Other features of the Alcohol 52% program:

Supports all popular disc formats. Among which: CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-XA, CD+G, Photo CD, Video CD, Mixed Mode, Multi-session, DVD-ROM, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video;
Supports all ATAPI SCSI drives. Among them: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW, DVD-RW;
Supports IEEE-1394 (Firewire) and USB interfaces;

MagicDisc Virtual CD/DVD-ROM

A fast and easy program for creating and connecting disks. In addition to mdf files, it also supports a huge number of other formats. It also allows you to use up to 15 virtual disks simultaneously.

Other features of the Virtual CD/DVD-ROM program:

Mounting disk images. Formats supported: BIN (CDRWin), CIF (Easy CD Creator), IMA/IMG (Generic disk images), NRG (Nero - Burning ROM), MDF/MDS (Fantom CD), IMG/CCD (CloneCD), VCD (Farstone Virtual Drive) , P01/MD1/XA (Gear), VaporCD (Noum Vapor CDROM), VC4/000 (Virtual CD), C2D (WinOnCD), VDI (Virtuo CD Manager), CDI (DiscJuggler), BWI/BWT (BlinkWrite), TAO /DAO (Duplicator) and PDI (Instant Copy);
Compressing disk images. Works for formats: NRG, ISO, MDS, CUE and CCD in UIF;
Creating disk images. The following formats are supported for creation: BIN/CUE, ISO, NRG and UIF.

More details about the MDF format

So, we have already looked at programs for opening MDF files and in conclusion we will look at the MDF format itself. As we already know, the MDF (Media Disc Image File) format is designed for storing disk images. However, it is designed to create disk images that can bypass copy protection systems. Such systems can often be found on computer game discs.

An MDF file is always accompanied by another MDS file. Both of these files are needed for the disk image to work correctly.

The MDF file stores all the data recorded on the CD. In this way, MDF is much like a regular ISO file. Because of this, the size of the MDF file is close to the size of the data written to the disk.

An MDS file stores metadata about the original storage media. This metadata allows you to bypass protection and run games using only the disk image, without the actual media. The amount of metadata is small, so the size of the MDS file is small.

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