Tips to open MDS file

Can't open the MDS file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open MDS files as well as a list of programs that support MDS files.

MDS file extension

File Name Media Descriptor Format
File Category Disk Image Files

The MDS file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the MDS files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the MDS file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 8
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is MDS file?

The .MDS file is a supplemental file related to disk images. It is a small file that contains information about the associated disk image. The file describes the data contained in the image, e.g. tracks contained on a virtual disc and their type. Additionally, it contains information about how the data is ordered. The main image of the disc is in an .ISO or .MDF file. Both files are therefore needed to run the image. In addition, both should have the same name. The .MDS file can be loaded into the program as the main file.

How to open MDS file?

An often recurring problem with Media Descriptor Format is that MDS is not associated with the correct program file. Thus, when you open MDS, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the MDS file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Alcohol 120%

In this case, you should first verify that the Alcohol 120% application is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name Alcohol 120% in it. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file MDS with Alcohol 120%. Below you will find a list of applications that support MDS files.

Step 2. Create association of Alcohol 120% with MDS files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the MDS file still does not use the Alcohol 120% program, it means no association. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. It may happen that in the next window there will be no appropriate program - however, this can be corrected with the "Browse" option where you should manually indicate the program location. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the Alcohol 120% application as the default for handling the MDS file.

Step 3. Update Alcohol 120% to the latest version

If, however, after binding Alcohol 120% with Media Descriptor Format there were still problems, you should update the program to the latest version. In this case, use the Alcohol Soft website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the MDS file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. File problems can be divided into the following:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the MDS file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Some antivirus vendors also provide free online scanners. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our MDS file. However, remember that not every infected MDS file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the MDS file. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for the failure. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged MDS files. You can restore the file from a backup or use N/A help.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted file MDS except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. Copying the MDS file to another location will fix the problem.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Closing other programs should help. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.