How to mount a disk image in Alcohol. How to open an MDF file Opening mdf files using Daemon Tools

The MDF extension usually denotes the disk image format used by Alcohol 120%. Like ISO files, MDF files contain an exact copy of a CD or DVD. They are commonly used for copying disks, as well as for sharing backups via BitTorrent or other P2P networks. There is special software for opening mdf and instructions for it on how to do it correctly.

MDF is often bundled with other extensions. MDF is nothing more than CD and DVD images that can be mounted on virtual disks. Before you open MDF, you need to download and install programs on your PC that can read files of this type and write them to CD/DVD.

MDF - Microsoft Database SQL database file type. It replaces the image backup file. There are two types of files: MDF and MDS, which are similar to each other. The fastest and easiest way to open mdf and mds in windows 7 is to double click on it. Software that works with these file formats:

Alcohol 120%- can mount mdf to a virtual CD/DVD drive. There is a commercial and free trial version.
IsoBuster- can open mdf. There is a paid version, and the free trial has no time limit.
Daemon Tools- can also mount mds files using a virtual disk. The program is paid, the Lite trial version has no functionality and is limited in time.
WinCDEmu- free software that emulates virtual disks and can mount images of various formats.
ImgBurn- a free program with advanced settings.

If you need to watch MDF or burn it to a CD or DVD, you can turn to Alcohol 120%, an excellent professional program available in a 30-day trial that supports a wide range of image files, including reading rare MDF/MDS. Before mounting the image in alcohol 120, you need to download the program via the Softonic website and double-click the green “Download” button.

In the Alcohol120 _ trial _ 2. 0. 1. 2033. exe window that opens, first click “Run” and “Yes” to allow installation on Windows 7 and Vista, and then click “OK”, “Next”, “Accept”, “OK” and install the necessary drivers for the program to function correctly, and then restart the computer. CD/DVD Burning:

When the system reboots, uncheck “Enable Alcohol Toolbar” to avoid installing an additional browser toolbar.
In the window that opens, wait for the countdown to finish and press the “OK” button to open the Alcohol 120% main screen.
Then click on the “Burn” image on the left sidebar, select MDS to burn.
Click the "Explore" button and burn your CD/DVD, following the wizard that will guide you through the installation.

IsoBuster disk burning

The special program IsoBuster explains what mds and mdf are and how to open documents with this extension. It can convert mdf/mds to ISO format, which is convenient if the user wants to use the disc image with other CD/DVD software. Before starting work, the user must download IsoBuster, install it and uncheck the “Enable Toolbar” checkbox. The installer will then typically add a QuickLaunch icon to your desktop, which you can use to launch the program. How to work with the file:

If you need to open MDF by installing it on a virtual disk and then use it in the form of real disks, you can use the classic Daemon Tools Lite solutions for mdf and mds. The user needs to perform the following steps:

In some cases, MDF files can also be SQL databases that are opened by the paid Microsoft Visual Studio software package.

The question of how to open mdf is not a problem for the user with the WinCDEmu program. It integrates into the Windows Explorer context menu and can be opened at any time. The program is also located in the taskbar, here you can access the program settings. For emulation, you can specify any number of CDs, DVDs or Blu-ray discs, drive letters can be freely selected. And it is also possible to determine whether the user must have administrator rights to continue using the program.

By simply right-clicking on the corresponding image files, you can “mount” them in the previously created virtual disk. The program works exactly as if a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray was loaded into the simulated disc. Another feature of WinCDEmu is the creation of ISO image files, which also works through the Windows Explorer context menu.

Thus, you can programmatically fill a virtual disk with data and then burn the disk. Of course, the resulting ISO can be installed not only in WinCDEmu, but also in other relevant tools. In addition, you can also use the appropriate hardware and software to burn CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. Thanks to the portable version of the free and open source program, WinCDEmu can be run without installation from a USB drive.

The Software may be used without restriction for private or commercial purposes. It can be used in more than 20 different languages. Installation and use of the program can be easily done by following the instructions or manual downloaded from the manufacturer's website, which explains the processes in detail.

Nero recording technology

Nero Burning ROM allows you to create two different types of discs. "Nero Image Files" (.nrg) consists of Nero's own Disc Image format, which can be used for all types of compilation, including Audio CDs, boot CDs, mixed mode CD, etc. ISO image format works only for major disc formats (CD, DVD, Blu-ray).

These files are similar to bin en files. cue. Mdf/mds are an exact copy of the data, that is, cd or dvd-rom. Mdf backup is a good way to make a useful copy of cds and dvds. A nice side effect of mdf is the ability to play the file in an emulator program.

Nero cannot directly generate Mdf files. To do this, you need to change the mdf extension to iso. However, creating an ISO image can be a convenient way to integrate a virtual drive into a PC that doesn't have a physical disc player. Using a "Nero Disc Image" or "ISO image" is also a good and easy way to create multiple copies onto multiple identical physical disks.

If you need to create multiple copies of MP3 discs from the originally created ISO image, perform the following operations:

Open Nero Burning ROM.
Click "new", select the disc type, for example, CD, and the project type CD-ROM (ISO) or CD-ROM (UDF / ISO), using the default settings.
Click "New". Drag and drop files into the compilation. The available disk space will be shown at the bottom.
To record to disc, select “Image Recorder” in the top menu bar. Using the record icon in the menu bar, open the “Record compilation” window and click “Record”.
At the bottom of the upcoming window, select “ISO Image File (*.iso)” from the save drop-down list.
Then select a storage location on your PC or external drive and enter a name for the disk image.
The disc image consists of an identical file structure to the optical disc.
If you are using Windows 10 or Windows 8.1, you can access the ISO image of a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc as a virtual drive in Windows Explorer.
To create several identical MP3 discs, you need to open the location of the ISO image on the disk through Windows Explorer, right-click on the image and select “Burn image to disk.”
Nero Burning ROM will open automatically. In the “Burn Compilation” window, select which disc you want to burn.
Make sure the recorder is selected as the active recording device. Then press anneal. The image on the MP3 CD will be written to the disc.

Multi-stage DVD burner ImgBurn

One of the most powerful free burning applications with advanced features and settings is ImgBurn. Lightning UK, the creator of DVD Decrypter, created this software for optical discs. Key Features: ImgBurn supports multiple file formats such as BIN, CUE, DI (Atari Disk Image), DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and PDI for input files, ensures multiple image burning with minimal interaction.

It can burn data to disk or create audio CDs from all major music formats.

This is a relatively lightweight program compared to similar programs, up to 1.8 MB for all installed files.

It officially supports Windows 95, 98, Me, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7 and 2008 R2. Creates DVD Video discs from VIDEO TS folder, HD DVD video discs from TS HVDVD and Blu-ray Video discs from BDAV/BDMV.

Ashampoo Burning Studio 14 is a developed media burning software. Strong Burning Studio is easy to use, more powerful and completely reliable. It burns data discs, audio discs and DVD video discs from folders. Key Features: Ashampoo Burning Studio 14 burns files, music, photos and videos to CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs.

Records movies and slideshows in HD format. Provides excellent backup for sensitive data with file encryption. Audio CDs, booklets and covers are created for DVD without losing quality. It creates excellent copies of CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

As you can see, there are many free and downloadable programs that allow users to open mdf files. Because opening this data is not exactly the same as opening other types of disk image files, they require special programs and procedures. And these programs are suitable for burning a disc in mdf format for CD-ROM drives on a computer or laptop.

Hello, my dear readers, computer enthusiasts and novice system administrators.

What is this file?

About 7-10 years ago there wasn’t much broadband Internet. And where it was, its cost was exorbitant. Protection for games was not that complicated, it just required inserting a disc into the optical drive and loading certain files from it. To bypass it, it was necessary to create a virtual image of the blank. Now we are used to working with images with the ISO extension, and the previously taken copy was compressed into files with the mdf and mds extension. These two files exist in pairs. For example, from a dummy called Games you will receive two files after virtualization: Games.mdf and Games.mds.

MDF is the main image file; all the data on the disk is compressed in it. Usually it weighs much more than the second part of the image. But MDS is a file with a folder structure on the main image. It usually weighs a couple of tens of kilobytes and is needed purely as a guide map of directories and disk structure.

Open with alcohol 120%

You can open these files using alcohol 120%. Software can be downloaded from here. Open this file in the archive.

The installation interface will open, where we press the button next.

Now pay attention! We choose not the quick installation, but the item below, and uncheck the boxes that suggest installing additional software.

Click next.

The installation should start. We are waiting for its end.

Now a sign should pop up asking you to restart your computer.

After turning on the laptop, a sign like this will appear, which means that we did everything correctly.

Open the program and click on the image search item.

We select the folder where exactly our files with the MDS and MDF extensions are located.

We choose which extensions we will scan on the laptop.

After the search is completed, a list of all found images will be displayed.

Select the one you need and mount it into the virtual optical drive.

If everything is done correctly, at the bottom of the software you will see that the virtual drive is occupied by the image.

Now go to my computer and there you will see a disk drive with a disk appear. Then you work with it as with a regular disk drive.

We work through daimon tools

We all know that you can work with almost any image using Daumon Tools . You can download the software right here.

Open the installation file. Select the Russian language and click Further.

We read the license agreement and accept it.

Select the free type of our software and click on the button Further.

We check the boxes as in the picture below. You don’t really need a desktop gadget, especially since it takes up the working power of the RAM and GPU.

Now pay attention! We uncheck all the boxes except the first one.

Otherwise, a bunch of unnecessary software will be installed on your computer, and the start page will change.

Open our software, click on the button images, and then on the right side click on the plus sign.

Go to the folder where the mdf and mds files are located, select any of them and press the button open.

You can even simply drag these files from the folder onto the Daimon Tools interface itself.

Select integrated files and click the button mount.

Open via UltraISO

Also, mdf and mds files can be opened using ultraiso. Let's download it from here. Launch the executable file and click Further.

Now we set everything up as shown in the picture below. Especially the checkmarks at the bottom. We move on to the button of the same name.

We register the local area where the software will be installed and move forward.

The installation process will start. It can last from one minute to five, it all depends on the hardware inside your computer, as well as on the speed of your hard drive.

Now put a tick in the line with the launch of the software and press the button below.

The program's working interface will open. In the upper left corner, click on the word file, and then on the line to open the file.

Or just click on the green folder icon.

Additional Information

I would like to note that the programs described above are far from the only ones that can work with files of this extension. By the way, you may well not just open the images, but simply convert them, for example, into archives, which, by and large, is what they are.

In addition, there are now a lot of assemblies with additional modules for such a file manager as Total Commander. It’s very convenient to work in it, and it supports all files, and with additional software you can even use it as a second operating system, having first disabled the design styles in Windows itself.

This will reduce the amount of resources consumed by the operating system and will speed up the computer. You can also convert an MDF file into an ISO image through online converters, which can be opened using standard Windows 10 tools. In other cases, you will not be able to cope without programs, since this is a fairly old file format and new OS versions do not work with it. I also want to warn you that you do not delete either of these two files. One without the other they simply do not work; this, in principle, is their main drawback.

Conclusion

By tradition, I provide you with several videos on a given topic:

They will clearly show you what to do and how to do it. In addition to this, I want to advise you something else. Before opening the image, scan it with an antivirus. You never know what kind of malicious software there might be.

Well, this is where I will end this material. Share the link to it on your classmates, Facebook, contact and other social projects so that your friends can read it too. And if you subscribe to update materials on my blog, you will always be the first to know when new useful texts are published! All the best to you and see you in touch!

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 one 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 file type 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 “I Accept.”
Click on “I Accept” to continue installation
The installation of the application will begin. Wait for it to finish.
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 box “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.

The special program Alcohol 120% can run files in the format .mds .bwt .b5t .b6t .ccd .cdi .pdi .iso .isz .nrg .cue. Many games and programs are now distributed as virtual disks. So, in order to open them and install them on your computer, you need a certain program. For example, we have Alcohol 120%. In order to unpack the virtual disk and install what was needed on it.
1) Download the file itself in the virtual disk.
Here's an example of what it will look like.

This picture shows two types of files. Format .mdf .mds they should be together and distributed together too. And there can be one example of the .iso format.
2) Once you have such files on your computer, you need to download the Alcohol 120% program. It can be easily downloaded and installed for free. But I won’t tell you about its installation. Let's say you downloaded and installed it. Go to the folder and run the file that is highlighted in yellow in the photo.

3) If you have not created a virtual disk, then create one. In the program, click Virtual disk

A window pops up. There we do everything as in my picture and click OK. If you want more virtual disks, then put more where I have it circled in red.

After which a supposed device with removable media (disk drive) will appear on my computer.
4) Launch our virtual file and perform the installation.
In the Alcohol 120% program, click File, then Open, in the window that opens, select your file and click OK

After which this file will appear in your list. Click on it with the right mouse button. Then mount it on the device and select your created disk. After which you should see at the bottom what I have highlighted in red. (The name of the device may not be the same as mine) After mounting, you should immediately start installing what was on the virtual disk (if there is a program or game there and there is an installer)

Or we go into my computer and there we find a disk drive with the same name where you mounted the image, open it as a disk and that’s it.

The question of how to open an mdf file most often arises among those who downloaded the game in a torrent and do not know how to install it and what this file is. Typically, there are two files - one in MDF format, the other in MDS format. In this instruction I will tell you in detail about how and how to open such files in different situations.

What is an mdf file?

First of all, I'll tell you what an mdf file is: files with the .mdf extension are CD and DVD images saved as a single file on your computer. As a rule, for the correct operation of these images, an MDS file containing service information is also saved - however, if this file is not there, it’s okay - we can open the image anyway.

What program can open mdf file

There are many programs that can be downloaded for free that allow you to open mdf files. It is worth noting that “opening” these files does not happen exactly the same way as opening other types of files: when you open a disk image, it is mounted on the system, i.e. It’s as if you have a new drive for reading CDs in your computer or laptop, into which a disc recorded in mdf is inserted.

Daemon Tools Lite

The free Daemon Tools Lite program is one of the most commonly used programs for opening various types of disk images, including those in mdf format. The program can be downloaded for free from the official website of the developer http://www.daemon-tools.cc/rus/products/dtLite

After installing the program, a new CD drive, or, in other words, a virtual disk, will appear in the system. By running Daemon Tools Lite, you can open the mdf file and mount it on the system, and then use the mdf file as a regular disc with a game or program.

Alcohol 120%

Another great program that allows you to open mdf files is Alcohol 120%. The program is paid, but you can download a free version of this program from the manufacturer’s website http://www.alcohol-soft.com/

Alcohol 120% works similarly to the previous described program and allows you to mount mdf images on the system. In addition, using this software you can burn an mdf image to a physical CD. Supports Windows 7 and Windows 8, 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

Ultra ISO

Using UltraISO, you can open disk images in a variety of formats, including mdf, and burn them to disks, change the contents of the images, extract them, or convert disk images of different types into standard ISO images, which, for example, can be mounted in Windows 8 without using any additional software. The program is also paid.

Magic ISO Maker

With this free program you can open an mdf file and convert it to ISO. There is also the ability to write to disk, including creating a boot disk, changing the composition of the disk image and a number of other functions.

Power ISO

PowerISO is one of the most powerful programs for working with disk images, creating a bootable USB flash drive and other purposes. Other features include support for mdf files - you can open them, extract the contents, convert the file to an ISO image or burn it to disk.

How to open MDF on Mac OS X

If you use a MacBook or iMac, then in order to open the mdf file you will have to cheat a little:

Rename the file by changing the extension from mdf to ISO
Mount the ISO image on the system using Disk Utility

Everything should go well and this will allow you to use the mdf image without installing any programs.

How to open an MDF file on Android

It is quite possible that someday you will need to get the contents of an mdf file on an Android tablet or phone. This is not difficult to do - just download the free ISO Extractor program from Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.qzx.isoextractor and get access to all the files stored in the disk image from your Android -devices.