DS_STORE File
What are DS_STORE files and how to open them
Are you having problems opening a DS_STORE file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your DS_STORE files.
What is a DS_STORE file?
A .DS_STORE file is a Mac OS X folder information file.
DS_STORE files are used by the Macintosh OSX operating system. These files contain the viewing preference information, which controls how the Mac OSX operating system opens a user's folders and how the folders appear.
The preferences stored by the DS_STORE files may include information like the size of the folder window and the position of the folder window when it is open on the computer desktop.
DS_STORE files are typically hidden and invisible to the user. If a user deletes their DS_STORE file, the desktop folders' appearance will revert to the default preferences.
If you find this type of file on a Windows PC, it is likely because you have unzipped an archive file created on a Mac computer. Therefore, you can safely ignore the file.
How to open DS_STORE files
Important: Different programs may use files with the DS_STORE file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your DS_STORE file is, you may need to try a few different programs.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different DS_STORE openers which you will find listed below.
Last updated: December 21, 2023
Various apps that use files with this extension
These apps are known to open certain types of DS_STORE files. Remember, different programs may use DS_STORE files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | Adobe Acrobat | User submitted |
 | iTunes | User submitted |
 | Adobe Photoshop | User submitted |
 | Adobe Illustrator | User submitted |
 | Microsoft Office | User submitted |
 | IrfanView | User submitted |
 | Power2Go | User submitted |
 | CorelDRAW Graphics Suite | User submitted |
 | GOM Player | User submitted |
 | Notepad++ | User submitted |
Help us help others
File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about DS_STORE file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.
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