Opening an HFS File

The HFS file type is primarily associated with Disk Utility.

HFSFile Extension HFS
File extension: HFS
File type:  disk image

What is an HFS file

HFS files mostly belong to Disk Utility by Apple. A HFS file is a disk image containing the file system of a machine running macOS versions older than Mac OS x 10.6. The contents of a HFS file describes how data is organized on a physical storage volume as a logical collection of files/directories, dynamic links, named pipes, and metadata. HFS is short for Hierarchical File System. It was originally developed for use on floppy disks but has been used on CD ROMs and hard disk drives.

How to open HFS files

You need a suitable software like Disk Utility to open an HFS file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your HFS file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a HFS file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online HFS File Viewer

Choose your .hfs file to view

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How to extract texts from HFS files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

If you want to extract texts from HFS file or capture a screenshot, you can use our free Online HFS File Viewer:
  1. Just click the "Choose your .hfs file to view" button on this page.
  2. Your HFS file will then be displayed in the browser.
  3. Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
  4. Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
  5. Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert HFS files:

  1. Disk Utility by Apple
    See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. HFS files are often referred to as Disk Utility disk images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
  2. 7zip (disk image) by Igor Pavlov
    7zip is an archive file management program with data compression/decompression support. It can be used to inspect the contents of a disk image saved in HFS format. This file format is classified as Disk Image.

Technical Data for HFS File Extension

File classification:
Disk Image
Related files:
hsf, hfsx, ddm, dmg, img, dsk

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: HF Fax Shortcut
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\HotFax MessageCenter\HotFax MessageCenter HFSHORTCUT %1

ProgramID: 7-Zip.hfs
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\7-Zip\7zFM.exe


an hfs disk image is a special file format by Apple and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with HFS files

  • Associate the HFS file extension with the correct application.
  • Update your software that should actually open disk images. Because only the current version supports the latest HFS file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Apple manufacturer website after an available Disk Utility update.
  • To make sure that your HFS file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
  • Click here to open your .HFS file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.
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