What is a .HDS file?
An HDS file is a type of computer file used by a program called Microsoft PlayReady. It's like a box that can hold either a part of or an entire computer's hard drive, but it's not for a real computer. Instead, it's for a virtual computer created by a program called Parallels Desktop for Mac, which lets you run a computer within your Mac computer. Think of it as playing pretend computer inside your real computer.
This HDS file acts like a storage room for the pretend computer's memory. When you want to start or use this pretend computer, Parallels Desktop for Mac checks this storage room to get what it needs. Sometimes, this HDS file is just one piece of a bigger storage room, which is called an HDD file.
To open or look inside this HDS file, you need to use Parallels Desktop for Mac, specifically version 19 or newer. But there's a bit more to it. This HDS file is usually tucked away inside another file called an HDD, which is itself inside a bigger file that ends in .PVM or .MACVM. These are like the outer boxes that hold everything together for your pretend computer.
If you're curious and want to peek inside the HDS file to see what's stored there, you can do so by using a special tool that comes with Parallels Desktop called Parallels Mounter. Here's how you can do it: 1. Find the .PVM or .MACVM file that's like the big box holding your pretend computer. 2. Right-click on it and select "Show Package Contents" to see what's inside. 3. Look for the main HDD file, which is like the main storage room and has a similar name to the .PVM or .MACVM file. 4. Right-click on this HDD file and choose to open it with Parallels Mounter. This is like unlocking the door to the storage room.
If you can't find Parallels Mounter right away, don't worry. It's usually in a folder called Parallels, which you can find in the Library directory on your Mac's hard drive. Once you open the HDD file with Parallels Mounter, you'll be able to see and access the contents of the HDS file, just like opening a box to see what's inside.
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