Every so often you are sent a file that has a generic icon on it, and no software on your PC can open it. You check the file extension, and it is .DMG. A .DMG file is a Mac Disk Image. There are different software options that can read and extract the contents of .DMG files so you can access the files within.
A file with the DMG file extension is an Apple Disk Image file, or sometimes called a Mac OS X Disk Image file, which is basically a digital reconstruction of a physical disc. For this reason, a DMG is often the file format used to store compressed software installers instead of having to use a physical disc.
7-Zip Method
Step 1
Download the 7-Zip installer package, and install it on your computer.
Step 2
Run 7-Zip once the installation is done. Navigate to 'Tools > Options....' Click 'Select All' unless there are specific file formats listed that you require to stay registered with a different program. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' when you are done.
Double-click the .DMG archive to open it. You can now extract the contents of Mac .DMG files.
AnyToISO Method
Step 1
Step 2
Run the installer and select your desired installation location. Run AnyToISO once the installation is complete.
Click 'Browse...' and select your source .DMG file. Click 'Convert.' You now have a PC-compatible .ISO image that can be burned to a CD and read.
DMGExtractor Method
Step 1
Download the latest DMGExtractor standalone .JAR (Java ARchive) file.
Step 2
Place the .JAR file where you want it to be installed, e.g., 'C:Program FilesDMGExtractor.'
Double-click the .JAR file. Click 'OK' on the first pop-up. When prompted, click 'No' if you only wish to do error checking on the .DMG file. Click 'Yes' if you wish to convert the .DMG file to an .ISO file. Navigate to the folder with the .DMG. Specify the output name (DMGExtractor defaults to the same name as the .DMG file) and click 'Save.' You now have a PC-compatible .ISO file that can be burned to a CD for reading on a PC.
Tip
- Using 7-Zip is the easiest method of the three outlined here, because it actually extracts the contents of .DMG files, whereas all other programs merely convert it to an .ISO, which has to be burned to a CD to be read. 7-Zip can also extract .ISO files.
Items you will need
- 7-Zip, AnyToISO or DMGExtractor
Video of the Day
Brought to you by Techwalla
More Articles
DMG File Summary
Most DMG files can be viewed with eighteen known software applications, typically 7-Zip developed by Igor Pavlov. It's main file type association is the Mac OS X Disk Image File format, but also includes one other rarely-seen file types. The DMG File Extension are listed predominantly as Disk Image Files, while in other circumstances they can be Data Files.
The DMG File Extension can be viewed on the Windows, Android, and Linux operating systems. They are supported on both desktop and mobile devices. The main DMG file type has a Popularity Rating of 'Low', meaning these files are not frequently present on your typical desktop or mobile device.
To learn more about DMG files and their associated software applications, please see the information below. Plus, we provide a basic troubleshooting guide to solve problems with opening DMG files.
File Type Popularity
File Rank
/ 11690