How to Open MDF File in Windows 10/11 – 100% Authentic Solution

Are you looking for a reliable method to open MDF file? If yes, this article brings you a complete solution. Being a SQL server database user, many times you would have faced difficulty opening an MDF file without using SQL Server. Many users fail to open and read MDF files due to the unavailability of an SQL Server environment on their computer, so this blog will inform you how you can easily open MDF file in Windows 10 and other versions without an SQL server. Before learning the process to view MDF files, let us explain what MDF files are.

What is an MDF File?

If you are a SQL server database user, you must be familiar with MDF files. A File with a .mdf extension is an MDF file, also known as Masters Database File. An MDF file is the primary data file of a Microsoft SQL server and is of core importance as it is used to store all crucial information in the database. The MDF file stores all data in a relational database in the form of tables, columns, rows, fields, indexes, and views.

To open an MDF database file, one of the easiest methods is to view it in an SQL server, but in case the user wants to open MDF file without using an SQL server, the user can do so using the DRS Softech SQL viewer tool, an automated tool.

Firstly, let us know how to access SQL database files via SQL Server Management Studio.

How to Open MDF File Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

MDF files are not opened, instead, the actual process of opening an MDF file online is called attaching the file to the SQL server. As soon as the MDF file is attached, the database object can be viewed in the object explorer of SSMS.

Using SSMS to open MDF files, you can easily access and read MDF files and preview all database objects like tables, functions, records, etc. Given below are steps to open an SQL database file through SQL Server Management Studio.

• Install the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and run it in your system.
• Connect SSMS to the SQL Server Instance. Now you will see the SQL Server Instance.
• Go to the Object Explorer > right-click on Databases > Click
• After the Attach Databases Window is opened, click the Add
• Browse and locate the desired MDF file you want to open and click Ok.
• Again, press the Ok button and the database will be attached.

This is how you can view MDF files in your system. Also, this process is free. However, to open MDF database file using this process you need to set up an SQL Server management studio in your system. Thus, if any user doesn’t have a SQL Server environment set up in his system, it will be impossible for the user to open SQL MDF file with this process.

Moreover, if you have a damaged, corrupted, or inaccessible MDF file and want to open it in the SQL server, it’s still not possible to read MDF file following the steps mentioned above. Therefore, we suggest users choose an alternate method which is using the professional SQL Viewer Tool, a professional tool to open .mdf file online in Windows 10 or any other version.

Professional Tool to Open MDF File – Pro Method

Many times, your MDF file may get damaged or corrupt, or sometimes the user tries to open an orphan MDF file to see content within the file. In such cases using a manual method cannot help you open MDF database. DRS Softech SQL Viewer Tool is an MDF file opener online that helps you to access your MDF file content. You can check all the recovered data in a structured format.

However, the SQL Viewer Tool does not allow saving the recovered data. Therefore, we recommend the DRS SQL Softech Database Recovery Tool. It displays the recovered data and also you can restore the recovered data to the live server. Moreover, it provides the option to save the SQL as the script. The application offers various advanced functionalities. Let us check them.

• This application enables you to repair and restore SQL database objects such as tables, records, indexes, procedures, triggers, etc.
• Support both SQL server database files MDF and NDF for restoring complete SQL databases.
• Dual file recovery modes (Standard and Advanced) to repair heavily corrupted SQL database files.
• Restore the recovered SQL database items to the server and save them as scripts into the local drive.
• Support MDF and NDF files created by any version of MS SQL database files.

Steps for using DRS Softech SQL Recovery Tool

• Download the DRS Softech SQL Recovery Tool. Launch the application.
• Click Open to add the desired corrupted MDF file.
• After that, press Browse and choose the MDF file you want to recover.
• Select the file recovery mode and other options accordingly. Press OK.
• Check the recovered data and tick the items you want to recover. Hit Save.
• Select from the Windows Authentication and Server Authentication.
• After that, select the saving options as per your requirement.
• At last, click on the Convert button to save the recovered data.

Also Read: How to Fix SQLite Database is Locked Error?

Conclusion

MDF files store crucial data and information of a user and thus are of importance to the user. This blog informed you of both manual and professional methods to open MDF file. But when it gets difficult to access them without using SQL Server, we need the right method to read or view MDF file. Therefore, for users without SQL Server Management Studio on their system, DRS SQL Viewer is the best solution. Also, if you want to save the repaired SQL items, use the best SQL recovery tool.