What Is A Dmg File And What Does It Do
If you are an avid Mac user using a Windows PC, and suddenly find a DMG file in your windows system, you would definitely want to open it up to see what it contains. Though the installation files or compressed files it contains will not be compatible with your windows PC, yet there are some ways you can check out what it withholds. But before proceeding with the ways to open or view a DMG file, it is better if we have a thorough knowledge of what a DMG file exactly is. DMG files are actually Mac OS disk image files. It is very similar to ISO files in windows, or rather a counterpart of ISO files.
The images usually comprise installation files of softwares and operating systems and sometimes, compressed files. Since you are using a windows PC, surely you won't be able to run it on your Window OS, but at least there are ways by which you can have a look at its contents. And that is what we are going to discuss in this article - ways to view the DMG files on Windows 10/7/8.
DMG Extractor is ideal if you need to: Extract content from an Apple.dmg file; Extract the.IPSW restore file from an iOS beta; Extract contents from IPA files; Functionality & features. It automatically extracts the contents of the files to your computer; Opens encrypted or non-encrypted DMG files; Extract 4GB+ DMG files.
Way #1: Open DMG Files on Windows with 7-ZIP
7-ZIP is a lightweight freeware which is easily available on the internet market. It not only extracts DMG files but all other of compressed files, such as ZIP, CAB, ISO, RAR, WIM, etc. But we would restrict our discussion here only upto DMG. Read the steps below to know the tool's usage:
Step 1. Download the 7-ZIP program file in any of your working computer and install it.
Step 2. After installation is done, locate the DMG file that you wish to open or view in your directory or desktop, and right-click on it.
Step 3. From the context menu, click on '7-ZIP' which will not appear as a part of your system since installed.
Step 4. From the next sub-menu that follows click on 'Open archive' and your DMG file will be opened and you can view the contents inside.
Cons:
- You cannot view or extract files bigger than 4 GB.
- You cannot view or extract encrypted files.
- You are only allowed to extract 5 DMG files at a time.
Way #2: Open DMG Files with DMG Extractor
DMG Extractor is another professional tool to open and extract .dmg files without first converting them into .iso or .img files. It's interface is very user-friendly and even a beginner can use it without any difficulty. Just go through the steps below to pull off the task:
Step 1. First of all, download the DMG extractor program file from the internet and install it in your personal Windows PC.
Step 2. Run the application with admin rights and in the main UI of the tool's screen, click on 'open' button in the upper menu bar to browse the required DMG file. The file will be loaded into the software's screen.
Step 3. After the file is loaded, you will be displayed all the contents contained within the DMG file.
Cons:
- You cannot view or extract files bigger than 4 GB.
- You cannot view or extract encrypted files.
- You are only allowed to extract 5 DMG files at a time.
Way #3: View DMG files on Windows with PowerISO
PowerISO is yet another very powerful professional tool which can open, burn, extract, create, edit, convert, any kind of disk image files. It can process every kind of image files, be it BIN, DMG, ISO, DAA, etc. Here we would burn the image file into a CD/DVD or USB and then will open it from the disk storage to check out what it contains. But before you head on the tool's usage, better have a look at its specifications to use it in a better way.
Step 1. Get the program file downloaded from the official website and install it in your Windows computer.
Step 2. Launch the utility with admin privileges and then insert a empty Disk (CD/DVD or USB) in your computer.
Step 3. Click on 'Tools' button from the menu bar and then click on 'Burn' option from the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Now the 'DMG Burner' option will be shown in the PowerISO Window's screen.
Step 5. Click on 'Browse' button to fetch the required DMG files from your computer's directory.
Step 6. Select the burning speed from the dialog box and then finally click on 'Burn' button to start the burning process.
Step 7. Once the image is burnt in your disk, open the disk from 'My computer' and click on the DMG file to view what it contains.
Conclusion:
After going through all the methods mentioned above, you must have realized by now that the first two tools implemented have got several demerits and thus can be not relied upon fully. So in order to have all the facilities with disk images, better stick to way 3 for a guarantee result.
Related Articles & Tips
When you download a new program for your Mac, it often comes with a “.dmg” file. Easily identifiable by their disk-on-paper icon, the “dmg” extension stands for disk image. When you double-click on the dmg, it mounts (or, more properly, attaches), revealing its contents in the Finder. From there, users drag and drop the image’s contents into the Applications directory to install new apps on their Macs.
This process is very different from Windows’ installer-lead process and can lead to misadventures for new macOS users. When I was migrating from Windows, I had no clue this last step was required. After all, many programs can run perfectly from their disk image, and disk images don’t always explain the “drag-to-Applications” step. Convert img to dmg in windows download. As a result, I launched Firefox from the disk image for about a month until I realized I didn’t have any bookmarks and couldn’t understand why.
So why are DMG files necessary for new applications, and what’s the point of “mounting” something just to drag and drop a file?
Reason 1: The Mac Application Structure
While a Mac application is represented by an attractive icon that you double-click to launch the application, that icon conceals a secret. That .app file actually represents a package. That’s essentially a folder containing all the application’s files.
See for yourself: right-click on any application in Finder and select “Show Package Contents” to explore on your own. Because macOS applications are essentially folders, they need some kind of container to transport them to new computers without losing files. Transferring a naked folder can be messy, especially across networks.
It’s like transporting a dozen eggs without a carton. And it turns out that the DMG makes a pretty good egg carton. Of course, other formats can hold a folder; what else makes the DMG so enduring?
Reason 2: Aesthetic Customization
What Is A Dmg File And What Does It Do Mean
Disk images also offer a unique benefit: the ability to customize their appearance and the user’s installation experience. This includes setting features like custom icons, icon positioning, and background images.
When you open a disk image and see an arrow prompting you to drag the app into the Applications folder, you’re actually looking at the background image of the DMG. This isn’t possible with other container formats, and macOS developers are sensitive to visual design. ZIP archives can offer compression, but they can’t offer this degree of “installation experience” without running an actual installer. Instead, the unzipping program just drops files into a folder, offering the developer little aesthetic control.
And you need to create a bootable USB drive in order to use this installer. Mavericks iso now where is dmg file now. You might not be able to see some files and applications after upgrading or downgrading.SO keeping a backup is safeand a must.
Reason 3: Disk Images Are Similar to CDs
Remember that disk images became popular (and were adopted by Apple) in the day of physical media. In that ancient time, users would buy software by traveling to a store and purchasing a box containing an application’s installation CD. They would then insert the CD into their CD drive and drag the application from the “mounted” CD to the Applications folder. They would follow this by ejecting the CD and putting it back in its jewel case for future installations.
The disk image mimics that process, piggy-backing on a familiar user behavior. Images can also be read-only (just like a CD), preventing the user from damaging or altering the known good copy of the application. Users can archive disk images, knowing they’ll have a functional copy of the app shelved away in case of emergency.
Dmg File Tag
Conclusion: Modern Alternatives and Package Installers
Disk images still see a lot of use, even today. Along with their benefits, DMGs have developed a crust of tradition and expectation. Users expect new software to be delivered via DMG, so developers provide it that way. But you’ll also find a reasonable quantity of bare .app files inside ZIP archives scattered across the Internet. This is especially true for applications from GitHub or smaller developers.
You might also see applications come in packages (.pkg) with installers onboard. Developers use the package format when the application needs to execute instructions upon opening. It’s especially useful when the program needs to copy files to directories outside of “/Applications.” For example, if the installer needs to install custom fonts or copy files to the Library directory, a package format can accomplish that with an installer.
If you’re interested in all this, you can read about the history of the disk image.