What is a .QDS file?
The file extension .QDS stands for a Windows Directory Query File. This type of file is used on computers that run the Microsoft Windows operating system. Specifically, it's a file that saves information about searches you've done in a part of Windows called "My Network Places." When you search for folders and files within Active Directory, which is a system that helps manage who has permission to do what on a network, the .QDS file saves what you were looking for and where you were looking. This is really helpful because it means you don't have to redo the search from scratch every time; you can just open the .QDS file to start the same search again.
To open a .QDS file, you would use Microsoft Windows itself, as the operating system knows how to handle this type of file directly.
Additionally, .QDS files are not just for personal use. They can be shared with other people, making it easier for everyone to search for the same things without having to set up their search criteria each time. This can save a lot of time and effort, especially in a work environment where many people might need to find the same information within a network.
It's worth noting that in Windows 7, the system for saving searches changed a bit. Instead of using .QDS files for saving searches done in Windows Explorer (the tool you use to browse files and folders on your computer), Windows 7 uses files with the extension .SEARCH-MS. These serve a similar purpose but are used for local searches on your computer, not searches in Active Directory.
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