How to Open an Img File on PC or Mac

PDF download Download Article
A detailed guide to open an img file
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to open a disk image file (.img) on Windows or macOS. An .img file is exact image of a file system—you can either mount it as a drive or open it in an app like WinZip.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Mounting as a Drive (Windows)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-1.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This opens the Windows File Explorer. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-2.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Windows will mount the .img as a disk and display its contents.
    • To copy a file from the .img to another folder on the computer, drag it to the desired location.
    • When you’re finished, unmount the .img file. To do this, scroll down the left panel of the File Explorer, right-click the mounted .img “drive,” then click Eject .
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Extracting in WinZip (Windows)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":552,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You’ll usually find it in the All Apps area of the Start menu. [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-5.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":539,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s the open blue folder near the top-left corner of WinZip.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-6.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s at the bottom-right corner of the window.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-7.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [3]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-8.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A confirmation message will appear.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-9.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This extracts the files to the specified folder (which will be created in the folder where the *.img file is saved). [4]
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":540,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This opens the File Explorer.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A new folder (with the name of the .img file) now appears in this folder.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The contents of the *.img file now appear. You can now double-click any of the files to open them in their default apps.
    10. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Mounting as a Drive (macOS)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s on the Dock, which you’ll usually find at the bottom of the screen. [5]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":552,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-15.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will mount the file as a drive (shown on your desktop). It also opens a window that contains the files inside the *.img. [6]
    • To copy a file from the .img to another folder on the computer, drag it to the desired location.
    • When you’re finished, unmount the .img file. To do this, go to the desktop, then drag the new drive (the .img) to the Eject icon at the bottom of the screen (where the Trash is usually located).
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Other ways for Win7 with WinRAR

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-16.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [7]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-17.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-18.jpg\/aid9899399-v4-728px-Open-an-Img-File-on-PC-or-Mac-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • Now you can open the files inside the IMG file
    • To copy a file from the .img to another folder on the computer, drag it to the desired location.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    When I try to open the file, I get an error saying that "it does not appear to have a valid archive". What should I do?
    The coding cat
    Community Answer
    This issue may require an in-depth look, so contacting Microsoft support and explaining your issue to them. Hopefully they can be of assistance.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Open an ISO Files on Windows and Mac
      How to
      Find a File's Path on Windows
      How to
      Run a BAT File on Windows
      How to
      Install MSI Files on Windows 10 or Windows 11
      Easily Create a New File in Windows: User-Friendly Instructions
      A Guide to Rebuilding the Icon Cache on a Windows PC
      How to
      Delete Files That Cannot Be Deleted
      Block an .exe Running in Windows
      How to
      Install a Screensaver File in Windows
      How to
      Copy a Folder with Batch File
      How to
      Play WebM Files
      How to
      Locate Temporary Internet Files
      How to
      Delete a File or Folder Showing Error "Access Is Denied"
      How to
      Extract a Tgz File in Windows from the Command Line
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-and-open-file-explorer-ef370130-1cca-9dc5-e0df-2f7416fe1cb1
      2. ↑ https://www.winzip.com/en/learn/file-formats/img/
      3. ↑ https://kb.winzip.com/help/help_extract_7.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.winzip.com/en/learn/tips/extract-files/#how-to
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201732
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-hk/guide/mac-help/mchlp1700/mac
      7. ↑ https://www.rarlab.com/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 244,837 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement