Tips to open NDF file

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

NDF file extension

File Name SQL Server Secondary Database Format
File Developer Microsoft
File Category Database Files

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

Operating systems
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is NDF file?

The NDF file has been categorized as Database Files. The creator of this file is Microsoft. In addition to this file, the Database Files category includes 403 related files. SQL Server Secondary Database Format is supported by 1 operating systems. The file will work on Windows systems, unfortunately not on others. It is recommended to use Microsoft SQL Server to handle this file. This is a program created by Microsoft Corporation.

How to open NDF file?

The most common problem when using SQL Server Secondary Database Format is that a specific NDF is not associated with the program. This is manifested by the fact that NDF files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the NDF 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 Microsoft SQL Server

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that Microsoft SQL Server is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name Microsoft SQL Server into the system search engine. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file NDF with Microsoft SQL Server. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open NDF files.

Programs to open NDF file

Remember to download programs supporting NDF files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of Microsoft SQL Server with NDF files

If, despite the installed application, the NDF file does not start in the Microsoft SQL Server application, you must create a file 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 set the program to handle this type. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the NDF file with the Microsoft SQL Server application.

Step 3. Update Microsoft SQL Server to the latest version

If, however, after binding Microsoft SQL Server with SQL Server Secondary Database Format there were still problems, you should update the program to the latest version. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the Microsoft Corporation website and install the latest version.

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

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the NDF file. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our NDF file. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover NDF files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the NDF 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.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular NDF file corruption. You can restore the file from a backup or use Microsoft help.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted NDF files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some of the system directories are excluded from modification. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. It is best to move NDF to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the NDF file is blocked by the first application to open it. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the NDF file again. However, some background programs may block the NDF file while scanning. If nothing helps, please reset the device.