how can i open .mdf files?

_{Wednesday, May 24, 2017 1:00 PM | 1 vote}

how can i open .mdf files( SQL server files) and access the data. I  downloaded MSDE software but unable to install it says Strict username and psaaword required . were should i look for that. Are there any other solutions.

_{Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:50 PM ✅Answered | 2 votes}

If the file doesn't open you can try to open it using a mdf tool. 

just to avoid any possible confusion:

in sql management studio, connect to your instance, and open the databases folder.

in the context menu of that folder, choose "attach database".

_{Wednesday, May 24, 2017 1:26 PM | 1 vote}

Hello,

A MDF file is of binary kind, not intended to "open" it in an application. It's the main database file and can be attached to a running SQL Server to access the data using Transact SQL Statements; see Attach a Database

Olaf Helper

[ Blog] [ Xing] [ MVP]

_{Wednesday, May 24, 2017 1:51 PM}

Just wonder why do you want to open it ?

http://littlekendra.com/2011/01/24/corrupthexeditor/

Best Regards,Uri Dimant SQL Server MVP, http://sqlblog.com/blogs/uri_dimant/

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_{Wednesday, May 24, 2017 2:44 PM}

I had Microsoft SQL Server Express 2012 installed already. I just installed the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express and tried to open my mdf file. I get an error message that says:

There is no editor available for 'C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\intranet\app_data\intranet.mdf).

Make sure the application for the file type (.mdf) is installed.

Did I do something wrong? I just clicked through the defaults in the Management Studio Express install.

How can I get this to work?

_{Wednesday, May 24, 2017 2:52 PM}

When you say "tried to open my mdf file", what do you mean?  You can't just double click on it and have it open in SSMS.

You need to move the mdf and ldf file to an appropriate location

Open SSMS

Connect to an appropriate instance of SQL Server

Attach the database files 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/databases/attach-a-database

Thanks, Andrew

_{Wednesday, May 24, 2017 3:38 PM}

I already told you a MDF file is nothing readable / editable, you have to attach the database file as a database.

Olaf Helper

[ Blog] [ Xing] [ MVP]

_{Thursday, May 25, 2017 5:17 AM}

An MDF file is a primary data file of SQL Server and it cannot directly be viewed on your system without attaching it to SQL Server, second, you may require to have it's associated .ldf file while attaching it to SQL Server. Although it can be attached without .ldf file. you can also view MDF file without SQL Server using free MDF viewer utility. 

_{Thursday, May 25, 2017 6:34 PM}

Hi, Thank you all for your time and great help. I really appreciate your feedback and I am very thankful for your time and support.