CHD File Extension

What is CHD file?

CHD filename suffix is mostly used for MAME Hard Disk Image files. The MAME Team defined the MAME Hard Disk Image format standard. CHD files are supported by software applications available for devices running Mac OS, Windows. CHD file format, along with 1509 other file formats, belongs to the Game Files category. The most popular program for handling CHD files is MAME, but users can choose among 3 different programs that support this file format. MAME software was developed by Nicola Salmoria and the MAME team, and on its official website you may find more information about CHD files or the MAME software program.

Programs which support CHD file extension

Below you will find an index of software programs that can be used to open CHD files divided into 2 categories according to system platform supported. Files with CHD suffix can be copied to any mobile device or system platform, but it may not be possible to open them properly on target system.

How to open file with CHD extension?

Problems with accessing CHD may be due to various reasons. What is important, all common issues related to files with CHD extension can be resolved by the users themselves. The process is quick and doesn’t involve an IT expert. The following is a list of guidelines that will help you identify and solve file-related problems.

Step 1. Install MAME software

The main and most frequent cause precluding users form opening CHD files is that no program that can handle CHD files is installed on user’s system. This one is an easy one. Select MAME or one of the recommended programs (for example, MacMAME, MAME OS X, ExtraMAME) and download it from appropriate source and install on your system. On the top of the page a list that contains all programs grouped based on operating systems supported can be found. If you want to download MAME installer in the most secured manner, we suggest you visit Nicola Salmoria and the MAME team website and download from their official repositories.

Step 2. Verify the you have the latest version of MAME

You still cannot access CHD files although MAME is installed on your system? Make sure that the software is up to date. Sometimes software developers introduce new formats in place of that already supports along with newer versions of their applications. This can be one of the causes why CHD files are not compatible with MAME. The most recent version of MAME is backward compatible and can handle file formats supported by older versions of the software.

Step 3. Assign MAME to CHD files

If you have the latest version of MAME installed and the problem persists, select it as the default program to be used to manage CHD on your device. The method is quite simple and varies little across operating systems.

Change the default application in Windows

• Right-click the CHD file and choose Open with option
• Select Choose another app → More apps
• Finally select Look for another app on this PC, point to the folder where MAME is installed, check the Always use this app to open CHD files box and conform your selection by clicking OK button

Change the default application in Mac OS

• By clicking right mouse button on the selected CHD file open the file menu and choose Information
• Proceed to the Open with section. If its closed, click the title to access available options
• Select MAME and click Change for all...
• If you followed the previous steps a message should appear: This change will be applied to all files with CHD extension. Next, click the Continue button to finalize the process.

Step 4. Verify that the CHD is not faulty

If you followed the instructions form the previous steps yet the issue is still not solved, you should verify the CHD file in question. It is probable that the file is corrupted and thus cannot be accessed.

1. The CHD may be infected with malware – make sure to scan it with an antivirus tool.

Should it happed that the CHD is infected with a virus, this may be that cause that prevents you from accessing it. Immediately scan the file using an antivirus tool or scan the whole system to ensure the whole system is safe. CHD file is infected with malware? Follow the steps suggested by your antivirus software.

2. Ensure the file with CHD extension is complete and error-free

If the CHD file was sent to you by someone else, ask this person to resend the file to you. During the copy process of the file errors may occurred rendering the file incomplete or corrupted. This could be the source of encountered problems with the file. When downloading the file with CHD extension from the internet an error may occurred resulting in incomplete file. Try downloading the file again.

3. Verify whether your account has administrative rights

Some files require elevated access rights to open them. Log out of your current account and log in to an account with sufficient access privileges. Then open the MAME Hard Disk Image file.

4. Check whether your system can handle MAME

If the system is under havy load, it may not be able to handle the program that you use to open files with CHD extension. In this case close the other applications.

5. Ensure that you have the latest drivers and system updates and patches installed

Latest versions of programs and drivers may help you solve problems with MAME Hard Disk Image files and ensure security of your device and operating system. It may be the case that the CHD files work properly with updated software that addresses some system bugs.

Do you want to help?

If you have additional information about the CHD file, we will be grateful if you share it with our users. To do this, use the form here and send us your information on CHD file.