Open files with DDS extension quick and easy. 4 steps
It can be very frustrating when you have a DDS file and you cannot open it. But do not worry, in most cases solution to your problem is very simple. Follow the instruction in steps 1-4 listed below and you should be able to solve your problem and open the DDS file with ease.
DDS File Extension
- File type DirectDraw Surface
- File developer Microsoft
- File category Raster Image Files
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File popularity rating
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What is a(n) DDS file?
The DDS (DirectDraw Surface) file format is a container format for textures and cost-effective image storage associated with game development and 3D graphics programming. It supports simple features like mipmap-level storage and compression of images, as well as more advanced features like cube maps and volume textures. DDS also makes it possible to store multiple texture formats in one single texture container.
The DDS format is supported by most game engines and is often used to create textures for video games and other applications making use of 3D graphics. A DDS file typically contains information about the image, such as size and format, as well as the actual pixel data.
How to open DDS file?
DDS file icon should be displayed in a manner characteristic to the program which supports such file type. If DDS file icon is of the form of generic blank page icon or similar it means that given format is not associated with any program installed on the system. Below are listed some of the most popular causes of such situation
Check the DDS file for errors
- No program that supports DDS files is installed on the system
- No program that supports DDS files is associated with this extension (system registry has no entries related to programs that should be used to open DDS files)
- The file is of unknown or unverified origin and is most probably infected. In such case user must exercise extreme caution in order not to allow the virus propagate to other files in the system (follow the instructions displayed in the dialog box in your antivirus software.
- DDS file may be incomplete, which will prevent the system from opening it (this could be the case with file downloaded from the internet or copied from other sources)
- The file is corrupted
How to solve encountered problems?
In order to solve the following problems, follow the instructions:
Step 1. Select, download and install relevant software. The list of programs supporting files with DDS extension can be found below:
Programs that can open DDS files
Step 2. Associate software supporting DDS with this file format
- Right-click on the DDS file
- Select "Open with" option
- Choose appropriate program from the list and select the location where the program is installed
- Confirm your selection by clicking on the "OK" button
Step 3. Scan the DDS file using an antivirus software
Step 4. Verify whether the file has been properly downloaded from the internet or copied from an external storage medium. If not, then re-download or copy the file again.
In 95% of cases following these steps should solve problems with DDS files. Sometimes, although rarely, the cause of encountered problems may be different.
Last resort – an IT expert
Should all the above-mentioned solutions fail to resolve problems with DDS file extensions, there is one last thing you can do – contact an IT expert. You can also try to contact one of the developers of software that supports DDS files.
