Open DDS File

DDS files are created by Microsoft\”s DirectX and stands for Direct Draw Surface. These are used for storing textures, environments and also for storing compressed and uncompressed pixel formats. These files are also used to store desktop background and wallpapers at times. They are used copiously for video game graphics.

Open DDS File on Windows OS

  • Look for an DDS file you need to open in Windows Explorer and double-click on it
  • If the file doesn’t open automatically and you see a “Windows can’t open a file” message then you should search for a program which can open DDS file
  • If you have a program which can open DDS file installed on your computer then launch that program and select “File” and then “Open” or similar options from its menu to open the DDS file
  • If you don’t have the program installed then you need to try searching for “DDS wiki”, “how to open DDS file” in the search engine.
  • Once you find the application, install it on your computer
  • After the program is installed double-click on the DDS file to open it

File extensions are used by Windows operating system to specify what kind of information is stored in the file. Every file in Windows OS needs to have file extension and file extensions are used by Windows to determine which application it should use to open the file. Every application installed on Windows OS places information about which extensions it could open into the Windows registry and Windows uses this information to determine which application it should launch when user double-clicks on the file. If application which can open DDS file is not installed, then Windows will show ‘Windows can’t open DDS file’ message and buttons to either select an application on the computer which can open the file or to search the web for the application which can open DDS file.