DDS stands for DirectDraw Surface Format file. This is a Microsoft defined container file for storing compressed data using the S3 Texture Compression algorithm. DDS files are typically used to store textures and environments. Windows desktop backgrounds and wallpapers are stored in a DDS file.
Every DDS file contains a header that defines the pixel format in the file, bytes per scan line in the uncompressed texture stored in the file, whether there are multiple surfaces in the texture and height and width of the texture stored in the file. The latest DDS structure supports storing texture arrays in the file.
| File type | DirectDraw Surface Format |
| Developer | Microsoft |
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While searching for an answer to the question - How to open the DDS file? - you probably found websites, which offer software that was able to open any file extension. Do not be fooled, there is no one program that will allow you to work with any file extension, including the DDS file. Each program contains a different type of data and you need specialized software to properly work with the DDS file. Here is a list of programs that are designed to work with the DDS file - remember, these applications are able to open at most a few file extensions, they are designed to work with a specific data type.
If after installing the program from a list, you still cannot open a file with the DDS extension, the reason may be that the file is damaged. The solution may be to find a new copy of the DDS file you want to open
In this case, the easiest way is to use the tool built into the operating system for association of the DDS file with applications to support it. Double click on the file you cannot open - the operating system will display a list of programs that are likely to work with your DDS file. Choose one of them, or select the location on a disk where you installed one of the applications from our list. Windows should then open the DDS file using the program installed earlier.
Entries containing links of the DDS file extensions with applications is located in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. If you do not know how to get to the Windows Registry, or how to make changes in it, ask a specialist for help. Lack of knowledge on the subject may cause irreversible changes on your computer.
There may be a situation when a computer virus passes itself off as the DDS file. In this case, such a file will definitely not be opened. Download a good antivirus program and scan the DDS file mentioned. If the antivirus application detects malicious data, it may signify that the DDS file is infected.
| DDC | DivX Descriptor DVD Description Format |
| DDE | Dynamic Data Exchange |
| DDM | Alpha Five Table Objects |
| DDB | Device Dependent Bitmap Graphics Format |
| DD2 | Dungeon Designer 2 Map Design |
| DDD | Adobe Distiller Format |
| DDOC | DigiDoc Client Container |
| DDF | Diamond Directive Format |
| DD3 | Blood Bowl Game |
| DDPOKERSAVE | DD Poker Save Game |
