Optical drives such as CDs and DVDs were once our biggest storage areas and the sharing methods we use the most, although they are not used much nowadays. Since optical and magnetic drives are systems developed to be read by a CD-ROM, their working principle is slightly different. For example, inside the folder you have stored on such a drive. You can see IMG files with img extension.
IMG files generally store raw data such as audio and video inside drives such as CDs and DVDs. These files, which contain many error correction and control titles as well as raw images, often do not make sense on their own, but sometimes they may be necessary. Let’s take a closer look at how to open an IMG file and see the methods you can apply on different operating systems.
What is an IMG file?
IMG, . It is a file format that we encounter with the img extension. It is found in optical and magnetic drives such as CDs and DVDs. It generally stores raw versions of master data such as audio and video found on these drives. Control headers and bug fixes can also be found in the IMG files along with the raw images.
IMG files are often meaningless on their own. They are only there to support the master data. However, if you do not see the data on the drive by reading it with a CD-ROM, or if you somehow have files copied from a CD or DVD, you may need to open the IMG files and access the raw data.
How to open an IMG file?
- Method #1: Opening an IMG file on Windows
- Method #2: Opening an IMG file with WinZip on Windows
- Method #3: Opening IMG file on macOS
- Method #4: Opening an IMG file with WinRAR
Method #1: Opening an IMG file on Windows:
- Step #1: Open File Explorer.
- Step #2: Open the folder where the IMG file is located.
- Step #3: View the IMG file by double-clicking it.
- Step #4: Move the IMG file to a desired folder with drag-drop method.
- Step #5: Right click on the drive where the IMG file is located.
- Step #6: Click on Extract.
- Step #7: You’re done.
To open an IMG file in Windows, simply follow the steps above. In most cases, the IMG file will open this way. However, display problems may occur in some cases when it is disconnected from the main drive. In such a case, you can try alternative methods.
Method #2: Opening an IMG file with WinZip on Windows:
- Step #1: Download WinZip from here and complete the installation.
- Step #2: Open the WinZip program.
- Step #3: Unzip the IMG file via the WinZip program.
- Step #4: Confirm the screen that appears.
- Step #5: Open File Explorer.
- Step #6: Open the folder where the IMG file is located.
- Step #7: Now the IMG file will be displayed as a regular folder.
- Step #8: You’re done.
Just follow the steps above to open an IMG file with WinZip on Windows. WinZip basically opens and extracts IMG files and converts the data in them into a viewable format. After this process, you can view all the files in the IMG file.
Method #3: Opening IMG file on macOS:
- Step #1: Open Finder.
- Step #2: Open the folder where the IMG file is located.
- Step #3: Double click on the IMG file.
- Step #4: Move the IMG file to a desired folder with drag-drop method.
- Step #5: Remove the drive.
- Step #6: You’re done.
Just follow the steps above to open an IMG file on macOS. In most cases, the IMG file will open this way. However, display problems may occur in some cases when it is disconnected from the main drive. In such a case, you can try alternative methods.
Method #4: Opening IMG file with WinRAR:
- Step #1: Download WinRAR from here and complete the installation.
- Step #2: Open the folder where the IMG file is located.
- Step #3: Right click on the IMG file.
- Step #4: Click on Show Archive Contents.
- Step #5: Move the files in the IMG file to a desired folder by drag-and-drop method.
- Step #6: You’re done.
To open an IMG file with WinRAR, just follow the steps above. The WinZip method may not work sometimes. However, opening an IMG file with WinRAR is often the most successful method in both Windows and MacOS operating systems.
IMG file conversion process:
The IMG file itself is not a valid file format. Therefore, converting the IMG file to PDF or JPG may not yield results directly. Image Converter Plus program or Any Conv website provides this conversion service. However, the best thing to do is to open the IMG file first, access the other files in it, and make conversions according to their format.
We answered the questions such as what is the IMG file that stores the raw audio and video in optical drives, how to open it, how to convert it, and we explained alternative methods that you can apply in different operating systems.
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