Opening an HDS File

The HDS file type is primarily associated with PlayReady.

HDS	File extension: HDS
	File type:	hashed data store file

What is an HDS file?

HDS files mostly belong to PlayReady by Microsoft. The HDS file extension is associated with multiple file formats. But this extension is most commonly used by Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management files, a well-known service that is used for the protection and secure transmission of media files.

Main Usage: The HDS files are used to store Digital Rights Management data that is primarily used for copyright protection of digital media. Thus, HDS files allow protected playback of digital content on computers, networks and portable devices.
Associations:
- The HDS file extension is associated with Parallels desktop virtualization software as well. The HDS file is a hard disk image that shows content related to the partition of a virtual machine's hard disk. Multiple HDS files together comprise a hard drive. An HDS file is typically located inside an HDD file and to view the contents of an HDS file, one has to mount the associated HDD file with Parallels mounter.
- Hierarchical Data Systems file: xMAP uses the HDS file extension for it's hierarchical data files.

How can I open an HDS file?

You need a suitable software like PlayReady to open an HDS 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 HDS file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a HDS file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online HDS File Viewer

Choose your .hds file to play

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How do you convert HDS files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

You can convert HDS files using our online HDS file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):

Just click the "Choose your .hds file to play" button on this page.
Your HDS file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert HDS files:

PlayReady by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. HDS files are often referred to as PlayReady data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Parallels (hard disk image) by Corel
Parallels Desktop is a hardware virtualization software for Macintosh computers. HDS files are partitioned or whole hard disk image files for a virtual machine. They are located inside HDD files, which are themselves stored in PVM files. This file format is classified as Disk Image. Related links: Parallels Desktop on Wikipedia, Parallels Desktop User Guide, Parallels Desktop Video Tutorial, Decompressing HDS Files, Parallels Forum Discussion About HDS Files
XMap (hierarchical dataset file) by Garmin
XMap is a digital mapping software that was initially developed by DeLorme. Support for the software is now provided by Garmin, but development has been discontinued. HDS files contain a hierarchical dataset for XMap. This file format is classified as GIS. Related links: XMap User Guide, XMap Training Video, Old XMap Video, XMap Review, News Report About XMap

HDS file format:

The file format, which is the arrangement and type of data in a file, determines which program can open the file. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. Nonetheless, different programs can utilize the same file extension to represent distinct file formats. Double-clicking on the file often results in an error when opening. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. In the following you will find our evaluation of the HDS files:

The HDS file extension is quite common and includes many different file formats. The two most popular formats are as follows:

15% of all HDS files use the same file format, which can be identified by the letters "HC" at the beginning. They consist of unreadable binary data. The file size is in the range of 530 bytes to 89 KB. It is a modern file type. The file name progam.hds is characteristic of these files.
15% of all HDS files have the same signature HS. The contents of these files cannot be read by a human; only a computer program can interpret the data. The file size is in the range of 63 bytes to 460 bytes. The file name screen.hds or default.hds is characteristic of these files.

The remaining 70% of all HDS files are files with no common format, often, for example, X68000 SCSI Hard Disk image, JetDB and Withou. They are often associated with fbaabe, series, samsung, store, msprhw, wmstore or fpga. Just click the "Choose your .hds file to play" button on this page to find out what your HDS file is.

Technical Data for HDS File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

ss, zip, hdr, dat, xps, hdb, b3d, exe, log, bin, h5, mp4, rpa, png

an hds hashed data store file is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with HDS files

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