How to open and edit DDS files in Windows 11, 10

Although the DDS (Direct Drawing Surface) format is not a widely used image format, you may sometimes come across the DDS file. The DDS format is a type of image or bitmap file created specifically for use with DirectDraw Surface (DDS). Microsoft developed this format for use in 3D games and other applications that require high-quality 2D graphics.

It is a raster image (containing compressed and uncompressed pixels) that is saved in the DDS format, which is the usual graphic you see on a computer screen. These image files are mainly used to store digital images, often related to 3D games, as mentioned above. This was released by Microsoft along with DirectX 7.0.

So if you find a DDS file and you can’t see it on your Windows 10 PC, this tutorial will walk you through the process and even show you how to convert it to PNG format. Let’s see how:

How to open DDS files in Windows 10

There are several image editors available online that can help you open DDS files on your Windows 10 PC. Some of them are free image editors and they can still do a great job. Here is a quick list of some of the free image editors that help you open DDS files in Windows 10:

NVIDIA Windows Texture Viewer

If you are looking for a free image editor to help you open DDS files for free, NVIDIA Windows Texture Viewer is one of the best tools to choose. Follow the instructions below to open DDS files on your Windows 10 PC:

Step 1: Visit the following official download page to download the Windows Texture Viewer tool:

NVIDIA Windows Texture Viewer

Step 2: Once you have downloaded the .rar installation file, open the zip folder and extract it to your desktop.

Step 3 – Go to your desktop and double click on the WTV folder to open its contents.

Step 3: Now, double click on the WTF.exe file to open the tool.

Next, go to the File tab at the top left of the app and select Open…(O).

Step 4: From the Open File window, select the file in DDS format.

Your DDS file is now open in the image viewer and you can see the image clearly.

DDS Viewer

DDS Viewer is another free image viewer that helps you open and view DDS files easily. Here’s how to download and install the program to open DDS files:

Step 1 – Click the following link to visit the DDS viewer download page:

Descargar Visor DDS

Step 2: Next, click to open the configuration file.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation of the program.

Step 3: Now go to your desktop and double click on the application icon to launch the DDS Viewer application.

Step 4: The File Explorer window will open from where you can select the DDS file from the location where it was saved.

For example, the DDS file on my PC is saved on the desktop, so I navigate to the desktop and select the file.

Click Open.

The selected DDS file is now open in the DDS Viewer tool and you should be able to see it now.

How to edit DDS files in Windows 10

However, if you want to open and edit the DDS files, you will need a separate program or a specially designed plug-in for programs like Adobe Photoshop. Here are some such apps that can help you open and even edit DDS files on your Windows 10 PC for free:

GIMP

GIMP is a free and open source image editor that helps you open, view, and even edit most major formats, including DDS files. While you can take advantage of the many customization options the program offers, you can also choose to install third-party plugins from the range. In addition, it is also available as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop. Here’s how to install and use it to edit DDS files on Windows 10:

Step 1: Visit the following link to download the GIMP tool:

Download GMP Image Editor

Step 2: You can then choose to download the file via BitTorrent or directly.

Now, click to open the installation file.

Step 3: Now you will see a message: select Set installation mode.

Click Install for all users to continue with the installation.

Step 4 – At the Select Setup Language prompt, select your language from the drop-down menu and press OK.

Step 5: Hit Install on the next window and wait until the program is installed.

Step 6: Once installed, launch the GIMP application.

Step 7 Go to the File tab at the top left of the GIMP application and select Open.

Step 8 – In the File Explorer window, browse to the location where you saved the DDS file, select it and click the Open button below.

This will open the DS file in the GIMP application and you can now proceed to edit the file using the various customization options available in the tool.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop doesn’t need a separate introduction, especially when it comes to editing files. As a bonus, it also helps you open, view, and even DDS files smoothly and effectively. However, to access the Adobe Photoshop tool, you will need to install NVIDIA Texture Tools as a plugin. Here’s how to install and add NVIDIA Texture Tools as a plugin for Photoshop and edit your DDS files seamlessly:

*Note – In order to download NVIDIA Texture Tools, you must register with the NVIDIA Developer Program. It’s free and quick to install.

Step 1 – Click the following link to download the NVIDIA Texture Tools for Adobe Photoshop:

Download NVIDIA Texture Tools Plugin

Step 2: Once downloaded, double click on the setup file to run the program.

Step 3: Next, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

It is now added to Photoshop as a plugin.

Step 4: Now launch Adobe Photoshop application, go to File tab and click Open.

Step 5: Find your DDS file in the File Explorer window, select it and press Open.

It will now appear in the Adobe Photoshop application. You can now continue editing the DDS file with the NVIDIA Texture Tools plugin.

How to convert DDS files to PNG format in Windows 10

There’s a chance that instead of opening the DDS file, you want to convert it to a more familiar format, such as the PNG format, as an easier alternative. In fact, you may also want to convert the image to other formats as you feel comfortable. Follow the instructions below to convert DDS files to PNG format or any other format on your Windows 10 PC:

Step 1 – Click the following link to visit AConvert website and convert the DDS file to PNG format:

Convert DDS file to PNG

Step 2: Now, scroll down a bit and under the DDS to PNG – Convert Image Online section, click on Choose Files to select the file from your PC.

Select the destination format (for example, PNG in this case), the image quality (if you prefer), and the image size in the Resize Image field.

Press Convert Now!

It will convert in a couple of seconds. Now go to the Conversion Results field and click the download icon next to the file in the Action column.

*Note: You can also convert it to any other format by selecting the required format in the Destination Format field.