Opening an MDS File

The MDS file type is primarily associated with PowerISO.

MDS	File extension: MDS
	File type:	disk image media descriptor

What is an MDS file?

MDS files mostly belong to PowerISO by Power. An MDS file contains information describing how a Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD) is formatted. Information stored in this file include a header defining media tracks, layer break positions for each track, and copy protection features. An MDS file is usually saved alongside an MDF or ISO disk image. Another type of MDS file is a project generated by TestComplete application testing software. This file contains information (such as names for project assets, scripting language, and test item settings) common to all testers. MDS is also the filename extension of Mid2stream data files used by DirectX.

How to open MDS files

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

Online MDS Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert MDS files:

PowerISO by Power
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MDS files are often referred to as PowerISO disk images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Daemon Tools (disk image media descriptor) by Disc Soft
Daemon Tools is a disc authoring program with support for compact disc and hard/virtual disk image formats. It can use an MDS file to store the media descriptor of a compact disc's image. This file format is classified as Disk Image. Related links: IsoBuster Data Recovery Tool
DirectX (data) by Microsoft
DirectX is a runtime that provides application programming interfaces for handling multimedia tasks on Windows and Xbox platforms. Its Mid2stream data is saved in an MDS file. This file format is classified as Data.
SeeYou (raster map) by Naviter
SeeYou is a flight planning and navigation software for desktop and mobile devices. A raster map generated by this application is saved in an MDS file. This file format is classified as GIS.

MDS file format:

To view or edit MDS files you need to know the file format, because it determines how the data in this file is stored. Each file format has a unique extension and almost always a unique signature. For example, Microsoft Word documents have the extension .docx and the signature (usually the first 3 characters in this file) PK. Frequently, however, one file extension is used by different programs for different file formats, and one file format for different file extensions. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our analysis of the MDS files produces the following result:

The MDS file ending predominantly uses a uniform format. The two most popular formats are as follows:

85% of all MDS files are Media Descriptor files. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. A typical file size is 4 KB. The file type was developed 20 years ago and is still in use today. The keywords MEDIA DESCRIPTOR are typical for these files. Files like these are sometimes connected to oald, game, europe, mohpa and disc.
5% of all MDS files start with the magic bytes 20 00 00 00 02 00 00 00 48 69 54 69 09, which are always the first bytes of this file format. The content consists of illegible binary data, which can only be read and interpreted by the associated programs. MDS files can be up to 1 MB in size, but are often around 220 KB - 1 MB. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as HiTi.

The remaining 10% of all MDS files are different files with different signatures, the following 4 formats exist: MIDI Stream and skeletal. The category is cluster. If you want to find out which format your MDS file belongs to, just click on the button "Choose your .mds file to analyze".

Technical Data for MDS File Extension

File classification:

Disk Image

Related files:

mdf, msd, mdx, zip, torrent, md5, dms, rar, mfd, exe, mbs, pgp, jpg, daa, uif, lcd

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: mdsfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Automated QA\TestComplete 3\TestComplete.exe %1

ProgramID: MDSFileImage
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IsoBuster\IsoBuster.exe %1

ProgramID: MDSFileImage
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Smart Projects\IsoBuster\IsoBuster.exe %1

ProgramID: MDSFileImage
EXEFile: E:\Isobuster\IsoBuster.exe %1

ProgramID: UltraISO
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\UltraISO\UltraISO.exe %1

ProgramID: IsoBuster.mds
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Smart Projects\IsoBuster\IsoBuster.exe %1

ProgramID: awxDiskImage
EXEFile: rundll32 %ProgramFiles%\DAEMON Tools\awxDTools.dll,awxOpenContextMenu

ProgramID: IsoBuster.mds
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IsoBuster\IsoBuster.exe

ProgramID: PowerISO
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PowerISO\PowerISO.exe

ProgramID: PowerISO
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\_CDvD\PowerISO\PowerISO.exe

ProgramID: awxDiskImage
EXEFile: rundll32 %ProgramFiles%\DAEMON Tools Lite\awxDTools.dll,awxOpenContextMenu

ProgramID: DAEMON.Tools.Lite
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DAEMON Tools Lite\daemon.exe -shellmount

Show all 12 listings To Top

an mds disk image media descriptor is a special file format by Power and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MDS files

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