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MDF File - What is an .mdf file and how do I open it?
Learn about .MDF files and view a list of programs that open them.
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What is an MDF file? An MDF file is a disc image saved by a disc authoring program such as Alcohol 120%. It stores the actual CD or DVD disc data, while the header and track information is stored in a corresponding .MDS file. MDF files are similar to .ISO files, but are saved in a different format.
More Information MDF files may also be accompanied by .MDS files, which contain metadata about the MDF files. they include information, such as where the disc layers begin and end and copyright information.
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DeveloperSDL
Popularity3.5 | 67 Votes
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.MDF File Extension
4 file types use the .mdf file extension.
Media Disc Image File
| Developer | Alcohol Software |
| Popularity |
4.0 | 505 Votes |
What is an MDF file?
An MDF file is a disc image saved by a disc authoring program such as Alcohol 120%. It stores the actual CD or DVD disc data, while the header and track information is stored in a corresponding .MDS file. MDF files are similar to .ISO files, but are saved in a different format.
More Information
MDF files may also be accompanied by .MDS files, which contain metadata about the MDF files. they include information, such as where the disc layers begin and end and copyright information.
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Programs that open MDF files
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Program Name
Platform
Reset
X
Windows
Alcohol 120%
Free Trial
CyberLink PowerDVD 21
Free Trial
MagicISO
—
Discontinued
Free Trial
Smart Projects IsoBuster
Paid
WinMount International WinMount
Free
DT Soft DAEMON Tools
Paid
H+H Software Virtual CD
Paid
PowerISO
Paid
Category: Disk Image Files
Updated: November 9, 2017
SQL Server Database
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
4.1 | 301 Votes |
An MDF file may also be a Microsoft SQL Server database. MDF files typically contain several linked data tables, comprised of fields (columns) and records (rows). Using Microsoft SQL Server, database administrators can create, manage, and retrieve data from MDF files.
More Information
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system for Windows. It is available in many editions, including Enterprise, Standard, and Express. Each edition is tailored for a different level of use.
When a user creates a new SQL Server database, that database is saved as an MDF file. MDF files contain not only a database's tables and schema, but any views, stored procedures, indexes, and constraints associated with that database. When a user opens an MDF file with SQL Server Management Studio (an administration app included with SQL Server), they can view and edit the database's data and other objects.
MDF files are often stored alongside similarly-named .LDF files, which record a log of recent database transactions. In some cases, a database's data may be split across an MDF and .NDF file. Typically, to use a database that is split into an MDF and NDF file, you must possess both files.
NOTE: MDF files are also known as Master Database Files and Microsoft Database Files.
How to open an MDF file
You can open an MDF file with Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, which is included with Microsoft SQL Server :
You can then view and manage the database your MDF file contains in SQL Server Management Studio.
You can also open MDF files with Microsoft Visual Studio (as described here ), Aryson SQL Database Recovery, and SysTools MDF Viewer.
Programs that open MDF files
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Platform
Reset
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Microsoft SQL Server 2019
Free Trial
Microsoft Visual Studio 2022
Free +
Aryson SQL Database Recovery
Free Trial
SysTools MDF Viewer
Paid
Category: Database Files
Updated: October 27, 2023
Measurement Data Format File
| Developer | Vector |
| Popularity |
3.9 | 86 Votes |
Standard file format used by the automotive industry for storing measurement data; contains raw measurement data from a measurement and the metadata necessary to interpret the raw data.
More Information
NOTE: The Vector MDF Validator is used for validating MDF files.
Programs that open MDF files
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Platform
Reset
X
Windows
Vector CANape
Paid
Vector MDF Validator
Free
National Instruments DIAdem
Free Trial
asammdf
Free
ETAS MDA
Paid
Category: Data Files
Updated: October 17, 2017
Translation Memory Data Find File
| Developer | SDL |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 67 Votes |
Supporting file for a translation memory used by Trados translation software; enables fast look up of data within the translation memory.
More Information
A translation memory (TM) includes five file types including MDF, .TMW , .IIX , .MTF , and .MWF files.
Programs that open or reference MDF files
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SDL Trados
Category: Misc Files
Updated: January 5, 2009