How to Open an Img File on PC or Mac

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A detailed guide to open an img file
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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)

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    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>"}
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  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 .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Extracting in WinZip (Windows)

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    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.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Mounting as a Drive (macOS)

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    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).
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Other ways for Win7 with WinRAR

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  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.
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Community Q&A

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  • 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.
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      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/

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