How to open a dmg file on windows

Whether you are an avid Mac programmer using a Windows PC, or you just found a DMG file on your Windows machine, it can be useful to know what it is and how to open it. Luckily it’s easy to open on Windows if you know how.

What Are DMG Files?

DMG files are macOS disk image files. They are much like ISO files—their Windows-based counterpart.

These disk images normally contain program installation files for macOS apps, but they can also be used to hold compressed files. If it’s an app written for macOS, you obviously won’t be able to install and run the app on Windows. But, you can still open them up and take a look.

You can’t open DMG files directly in Windows, though. For that, you’ll need a third-party tool.

There are a lot of different tools you can use to extract DMG files in Windows. Our two favorites are 7-Zip and DMG Extractor. In our testing, we found a few DMG files that would open with one of those apps but not the other. However, we found no DMG files we couldn’t get open with one of those two apps.

We recommend starting with 7-Zip because the free version of DMG extractor has some limitations—the biggest of which is only being able to extract five files at a time. If 7-Zip cannot extract your DMG file, then you should try DMG Extractor and, optionally, decide whether it’s worth buying the professional version.

Open DMG Files with 7-Zip

7-Zip is a lightweight, but powerful compression tool that is free to download. In addition to extracting DMG files, you can use 7-Zip to extract most types of compressed files out there, including ZIP, CAB, ISO, RAR, and WIM, to name just few. It also lets you create your own compressed files in ZIP, WIM, 7z, and a few other formats.

After installing 7-Zip, you can simply double-click a DMG file to open it and browse its contents.

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If you’d like to extract the files from the DMG so they’re easier to work with, right-click the DMG file, point to the «7-Zip» menu, and then choose one of the extraction options. Choose «Extract Files» to select a folder where the files are extracted, «Extract Here» to extract files to the same folder where the DMG file is, or «Extract to foldername» to create a new folder named after the DMG file and extract the files to that new folder.

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The speed of the extraction depends on the size of the DMG file and the speed of your PC.

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When the extraction is finished, you can browse the files in a regular File Explorer window.

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You can view or edit the files using any of the regular File Explorer features or whatever apps you use.

DMG extractor provides another choice for extracting DMG files. The free version works well, but it does have some limitations:

• You cannot extract files bigger than 4 GB
• You cannot extract encrypted files
• You can only extract 5 files at a time, which can be a pain if you need to extract an entire DMG file.

If you need any of the features on that list, you’ll have to purchase the professional version ($9.95). For that reason, we highly recommend trying the 7-Zip solution we outlined in the previous section and resorting to DMG Extractor only if 7-Zip cannot open a particular file.

We’re going to use the free version for this tutorial, but aside from those limitations, the professional version works the same.

After installing DMG Extractor, all you have to do is double-click your DMG file to open it up. You can browse the files right in the DMG Extractor window if you just want to see what’s inside the DMG file.

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If you need to extract the file, click the «Extract» button on the toolbar, and then choose one of the extraction options. You can extract all files to the desktop or a folder of your choosing, or you can extract only files you’ve selected.

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Just remember that the free version only allows you to extract five files at a time.

That is essentially all you need to know when it comes to extracting the contents of DMG files to your Windows PC. If you do not want to download these programs, one other option is to follow our guide on how to convert DMG files to ISO’s. After that conversion is done, you can mount the ISO in Windows and access the files that way.

When switching between operating systems, there are certain challenges that users face, one of which is file compatibility. For those transitioning from macOS to Windows or attempting to access files shared from a Mac, encountering a DMG file can be particularly tricky. DMG files, short for Disk Image files, are primarily used in macOS to distribute software and other files. Fortunately, there are several ways to open a DMG file in a Windows environment. This article will guide you through various methods and solutions to access the contents of DMG files on a Windows system.

Understanding DMG Files

Before diving into the methods used to open DMG files, it’s essential to understand what a DMG file is and its purpose. DMG files are similar to ISO files in Windows; they are compressed disk images that can store a collection of files, applications, or even installations compressed into one single file. They are often used to distribute software for macOS, allowing developers to package their applications efficiently.

When you double-click a DMG file on a Mac, it mounts the disk image, allowing users to browse its contents as if it were a physical disk. For Windows users, however, DMG files are not natively supported, hence the need for alternative methods to access the data contained within.

Method 1: Using Third-Party Software

One of the most straightforward methods to open DMG files on Windows is by using third-party software specifically designed for this purpose. Here are several popular applications that can help:

1. 7-Zip

7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver that can handle various file formats, including DMG files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and Install 7-Zip: Visit the official 7-Zip website (https://www.7-zip.org) and download the appropriate version for your Windows operating system.

2. Locate the DMG File: Navigate to the DMG file you want to open.

3. Right-Click the DMG File: After installing 7-Zip, right-click on the DMG file.

4. Select 7-Zip: In the context menu, hover over the “7-Zip” option.

5. Extract Files: Choose either «Extract Here» to unpack the files in the current directory or «Extract to ‘folder_name’» to create a new folder for the extracted files.

2. DMG Extractor

DMG Extractor is another software solution designed explicitly to open DMG files. While it offers a free version, some features are limited. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download DMG Extractor: Go to the official DMG Extractor website (https://www.dmgextractor.com) and download the installer.

2. Install the Application: Run the installer and follow the prompts to install DMG Extractor on your Windows PC.

3. Open the DMG File: Launch DMG Extractor and click on “Open” to browse and select your DMG file.

4. Extract Files: Once the file is opened, you will see the contents. Select the files you need and click the “Extract” button to save them to your desired location on your computer.

3. HFSExplorer

For a more advanced method, HFSExplorer can be utilized, especially for DMG files that use HFS+ format—commonly found in macOS. Here’s how to use it:

1. Install Java: HFSExplorer requires Java Runtime Environment. Make sure you have it installed; you can download it from the official Oracle website.

2. Download HFSExplorer: Visit the HFSExplorer website (http://www.catacombae.org/hfsexplorer) to download it.

3. Install and Run HFSExplorer: Follow the installation instructions. Once installed, open the program.

4. Load the DMG File: Click on “File” in the menu bar, then select “Load file system from file” and choose your DMG file.

5. Extract Files: After loading the file system, you can browse the contents. To extract files, select the ones you want, right-click, and choose “Extract,” then select a destination.

Method 2: Using a Virtual Machine

For users who need more than just extracting files and want to run Mac applications, using a Mac environment on a Windows machine via a virtual machine is a viable solution. This method allows you to run macOS on your Windows system.

Setting Up a Virtual Machine

1. Download VirtualBox/VMware: Download and install VirtualBox (https://www.virtualbox.org) or VMware Workstation Player (https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html).

2. Download macOS: Obtain a macOS image. Be aware of copyright laws regarding macOS since Apple licenses their software for use on Apple hardware.

3. Create a New Virtual Machine:

   • Open your chosen virtual machine software.
   • Click on «Create New VM» and configure it according to your system specifications, allocating adequate CPU and memory resources.

4. Install macOS: Follow the instructions to install macOS on the virtual machine. This process will involve booting from the macOS image.

5. Use macOS: Once macOS is running, you can open DMG files natively just as you would on a Mac.

Pros and Cons of Using a Virtual Machine

Pros:

• Full access to Mac-exclusive applications.
• Native DMG file support without any conversion.

Cons:

• Requires a legitimate macOS installation.
• Performance may vary based on system specs.
• More complex setup compared to extracting files.

Method 3: Converting DMG Files

In some cases, you might prefer to convert the DMG file into a more Windows-friendly format such as ISO. There are online conversion tools and software that can handle this task.

Using a DMG to ISO Converter

1. Download DMG to ISO Converter: Choose a reliable converter tool, like AnyToISO (https://www.crystalidea.com/anytoiso).

2. Install the Converter: Follow the installation steps.

3. Convert the DMG to ISO:

   • Open the converter tool.
   • Select the DMG file you want to convert.
   • Choose the destination for the ISO file.
   • Start the conversion process.

4. Mount or Open the ISO: After the conversion, you can mount the ISO file in Windows using built-in OS features or third-party software, allowing you to access the contents just like you would with a DMG.

Pros and Cons of Conversion

Pros:

• Provides familiar access via common formats.
• Wide compatibility across different operating systems.

Cons:

• Conversion may not maintain all file metadata.
• Some files may encounter compatibility issues after conversion.

Method 4: Using Command Prompt with Disk Imager

For those who are keen on using command-line tools, there’s a way to access DMG files using Windows’ Command Prompt along with a tool like Win32 Disk Imager.

Steps to Use Command Prompt

1. Download and Install Win32 Disk Imager: Visit the SourceForge page (https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/) and install the software.

2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Type “cmd” in the start menu, right-click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator.”

3. Use Win32 Disk Imager:

   • Navigate to the folder where you installed Win32 Disk Imager using the command line.
   • Execute the command to read the DMG file. The command will depend on the syntax provided in Win32 Disk Imager.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Command-Line Tools

Advantages:

• Can provide more fine-tuned access to the underlying file system.
• May allow recovery or handling of disk images that other tools cannot.

Disadvantages:

• Requires technical knowledge and familiarity with command-line operations.
• Risk of file system corruption if commands are misused.

Conclusion

Opening a DMG file in Windows is not as straightforward as on macOS due to the lack of native support, but the approaches mentioned above make it certainly achievable. Whether you choose third-party software for a simple extraction, set up a virtual machine for full compatibility, convert the DMG file to an ISO, or utilize command-line tools, each method has its strengths and weaknesses, catering to different user needs.

For occasional access to DMG files, third-party software like 7-Zip or DMG Extractor could be the most user-friendly option. However, for advanced users who regularly deal with macOS applications, setting up a virtual machine might be worth the effort. Always be aware of your data and file types, and choose the method that best suits your technical comfort level and requirements.

By following these steps, Windows users can effectively access and utilize DMG files, bridging the gap between macOS and Windows file management.