HDP File

What are HDP files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a HDP 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 HDP files.

What is a HDP file?

HDP files have multiple uses, and Microsoft HD Photo is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Microsoft HD Photo File

The .hdp file extension is most commonly associated with files containing HD photos. The HDP files store compressed raster images. Microsoft developed this file format. It is used for the creation of high-resolution photo images. HDP files are similar to JPG files, but the HDP file format uses a higher compression rate, and the compression format is lossless rather than lossy.

How to open HDP files

We have identified three HDP openers that are compatible with this specific type of HDP file.

Programs that open Microsoft HD Photo files

Last updated: August 7, 2026

All known file formats using extension .HDP

While Microsoft HD Photo File is a popular type of HDP-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .HDP file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

JPEG XR Image File

JPEG XR Image File (extension .HDP) is a Microsoft-originated image format known as HD Photo (also Windows Media Photo), now standardized as JPEG XR. It is used for storing high-quality photographic images with advanced features like high dynamic range, wider color depths, and optional transparency. Images in this format often have richer color and tonal gradation than standard JPEG, and they can be compressed with either lossy or lossless methods. It excels for large TIFF-style images, particularly when saving images that benefit from more precision (e.g. photo editing, HDR, wide gamut color).

Files with this extension are created by programs using Microsoft's HD Photo or JPEG XR codec - such as Windows Imaging Component (WIC) on Windows, or apps using jxrlib. When produced, they can retain metadata like Exif and XMP, embed an optional alpha channel, and store image data in various color formats (RGB, CMYK, grayscale) at bit depths up to 16 bits per channel (and up to 32 bits for floating/fixed formats in lossy mode). They can also support progressive decoding, allowing preview or partial rendering of large images without full decompression. Copies of this file format are sometimes created internally by applications seeking better fidelity and smaller size than conventional JPEG affords. Over time, newer software tends to write files with the standardized .jxr extension, but .hdp remains valid and used in many implementations.

Technically, an HDP file begins with a little-endian TIFF-derived header: bytes 0x49 0x49 (ASCII "II") followed by 0xBC, then a version byte (for example 0x01 for version 1.0) within the first four bytes.

HDP opener for Windows

We have identified one HDP opener that is compatible with this specific type of HDP file.

MAGIX Hard Disk Project Audio File

We know that one HDP format is MAGIX Hard Disk Project Audio File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different HDP openers which you will find listed below.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of HDP files. Remember, different programs may use HDP files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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 HDP file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.