.MDS and .MDF files are created using Alcohol 120% or Alcohol 52%. They are both disc image files. The .mdf file works similarly to a .bin image and the .mds works similarly to a .cue sheet track, holding extra information about a disc's structure. Disc images recreate the files, function and structure of a CD or DVD-ROM. To mount the Alcohol-created disc images, you only need the .mdf disc image. While Alcohol Soft created the format, there are multiple programs you can use to mount a .mdf disc image.
Mounting the .mdf with MagicISO
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Step 1
Download, install and open MagicISO (see Resources).
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Step 2
Restart your computer.
Step 3
Right-click the MagicISO icon in the bottom right of the task bar (the icon of a hand holding a disc).
Step 4
Click "Virtual CD/DVD-ROM."
Step 5
Choose one of the empty virtual drives and click "Mount."
Step 6
Locate your .mdf file on your computer and double-click it to mount the disc. The disc will now be loaded to your virtual drive.
Mounting the .mdf with Alcohol
Step 1
Download, install and open Alcohol 52% (see Resources).
Step 2
Click "File" and then "Open." Locate your .mdf file on your computer and double-click it to import it to Alcohol.
Step 3
Right-click the .mdf image in the image browser in the right of Alcohol. Click "Mount Image" to mount the image to a virtual drive. You can now access the disc in your virtual drive.
Mounting the .mdf with WinMount
Step 1
Download, install and open WinMount (see Resources).
Step 2
Click the "Mount File" button on the WinMount toolbar.
Step 3
Locate your .mds and .mdf files, hold "Ctrl" and click on both to select both simultaneously. Click "OK" to mount the .mdf to a new virtual drive.