The Easiest Ways to Open an MDF File on Windows or Mac

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A comprehensive guide to using any MDF file opener

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: June 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Open MDF Files with SQL Server Management Studio (Windows)

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With Daemon Tools (Windows)

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With Disk Utility (Mac)

There are two types of MDF files: Microsoft Database Files, which can be attached to databases using SQL Server Management Studio, and Media Descriptor Files, which are disk images created by Alcohol 120%. This wikiHow article teaches you how to open both types of files.

Opening an MDF File

Launch SQL Server Management Studio (or your system’s MDF file opener).
Connect to the SQL server on your device.
Right-click the “Database” folder in the right panel.
Select Attach → Add .
Select the MDF file you want to open and click Ok .

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using SQL Server Management Studio (Windows)

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1
Open SQL Server Management Studio. If your MDF file is a Microsoft Database File, you can open it in SQL Server Management Studio. Look for the icon with a hammer and wrench in the Start menu.
- This method allows you to attach a Microsoft Database File to a server.
Select the server type, enter the server name, type your login details, and then click Connect . ^{[1]
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It's below the window that says "Databases to attach."
This attaches the MDF file in SQL Server Management Studio. You can now access the database and perform operations.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Daemon Tools (Windows)

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1
Download Daemon Tools. You can use Daemon Tools to mount Media Descriptor Files (MDF). The full version of Daemon Tools Lite costs $4.99, but you can download the ad-supported Lite version free. You can get Daemon Tools from https://www.daemon-tools.cc/products/dtLite .
- If you just want to extract the contents of an MDF file, you can do so using WinRAR or 7-zip.
Once the installer has finished downloading, double-click the installation file and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
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Right-click the MDF file. This displays a context menu.
- If you see the Daemon Tools icon in the menu, select it to open the MDF file.
This displays a list of apps you can use to open the MDF file.
This mounts the MDF file as a DVD so you can access its contents.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Disk Utility on Mac

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1
Open Finder on your Mac

. It's the first icon on the Dock, which is usually at the bottom of the screen.
- Since neither Daemon Tools nor Alcohol 120% is supported on Mac, you will need to convert the MDF file to an ISO file to mount it.
The filename ends with the ".mdf" extension.
A menu will expand.
A panel with information about the file will appear.
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Click the arrow next to "Name & Extension." It's toward the top of the panel. This displays the file name (which ends with .mdf) in a box.
- If you don't see the ".mdf" part of the file name, remove the checkmark from the "Hide extension" box.
Since these file types are so similar, changing the extension to .iso is all it takes to make the image mountable on your Mac. ^{[2]
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It's at the top-left corner of the panel.
This mounts the file using Disk Utility on your Mac.