If you're a long-time Windows user, you may be familiar with the .img file format used to distribute Microsoft Office installation files. It is a type of optical disc image file. Which stores the entire contents of disk volumes, including their structure and data devices. Although IMG files are very useful, they are not supported by all operating systems. Microsoft's latest and greatest operating system, Windows 10, allows you to mount these files without requiring the help of third-party software. However, Windows 7, as well as many applications like VirtualBox, do not provide such support. On the other hand, ISO files are widely supported by various operating systems and virtualization applications. Therefore, converting IMG files to ISO files can be very useful. Read on to learn how to convert an img file to the iso format.
How to Convert IMG to ISO File
Before the advent of broadband connections, software files were primarily distributed via CDs and DVDs. Once Wi-Fi internet connections became common in homes, many companies began distributing their operating systems and software via .iso or .img files. Apart from that, IMG files are closely related to bitmap image files and are considered one of the best ways to burn CDs and DVDs on Windows and macOS computers. Read our guide on how to do this. What is an ISO file? And where are ISO files used? To learn more!
What is the use of ISO files?
Some of the prominent uses of ISO files are mentioned below:
- ISO files are commonly used in emulators. To copy an image from a CD.
- Emulators like Dolphin and PCSX2 use .iso files. To emulate Wii and GameCube games.
- If your CD or DVD is damaged, you can use an .iso file. Directly as an alternative.
- These are often used to make Optical disc backup.
- Furthermore it , It is used To distribute files Which are supposed to be burned onto discs.
As mentioned earlier, prior to the release of Windows 10, users were unable to mount IMG files natively on Windows 7, nor could they convert them. This shortcoming prompted the development of disk management applications. Today, a number of third-party programs are available online, each with an impressive set of features. A detailed guide on how to convert IMG to ISO is described below.
Method 1: Modify the file name extension in File Explorer
Converting an IMG file to an ISO is a long and tedious process. However, there is another quick method that can help you change file types. Since IMG and ISO files are very similar, simply renaming the file with the desired extension can do the trick.
Note: This method may not work for every IMG file because it only works on uncompressed IMG files. We recommend creating a copy of the file to prevent damaging the original.
Perform the given methods to convert img to iso:
1. Press the keys Windows + E Together to open File Explorer
2. Go to the tab "an offer" And click "Options" , as shown.
3. Here, click on the tab "an offer" in window Folder Options.
4. Uncheck the box next to Hide extensions For known file types.
5. Click Apply > OK To save the changes and close the window.
6. Create a copy of the IMG file by clicking on Ctrl + C ثم Ctrl + V.
7. Right click on it and choose rename from the context menu.
8. Rename the text after "." To iso.
For example: If the image name is keyboard.img, rename it to keyboard.iso.
9. A warning pops up stating: If you change the file name extension, the file may become unusable. Click Yes to confirm this change.
10. Your .img file will be converted to an .iso file, as shown below. Simply mount the ISO file to access and use it.
Method 2: Use third-party adapters like OSFMount
Prepare Poweriso One of the most popular image processing tools. However, its version Free Only allows users to upload files of size 300 MB or less. Unless you plan to regularly convert IMG files to ISO, we recommend using a free tool like OSFMount or DAEMON Tools Lite.
Note: For the purpose of this tutorial, we will be using OSFMount but the procedure for converting IMG files to ISO remains comparable in most applications.
Follow the steps below carefully to convert img file to iso using OSFMount:
1. Download OSFMount installation file of his official site on the Internet.
2. Click File osfmount.exe And follow On-screen instructions To finish the installation.
3. Open the program and click on the button. Mount new… to follow.
4. In a window OSFMount – Mount drive , choose a file Disk image (.img, .dd, .vmdk, .E01, ..)
5. Next, tap three-dot button , shown in the picture, to choose IMG file which you wish to convert.
6. Click Next , as shown.
7. Choose one of the following options and click: "the following".
- Mount partitions as virtual disks
- Mount the entire image as a virtual disk
8. Leave the default installation options as they are and click the button. Download to start the process.
9. Once the IMG file is loaded, right-click on it. the device And choose Save to Image File… from the menu, as shown below.
10. In the next window, go to Guide Wherever you want Save the converted ISO file.
11. Type a suitable file name and in Save as type, choose Raw CD Image (.iso) From the drop-down menu, click Save to start the conversion.
Note: Converting the mounted IMG file to an ISO file may take some time depending on the file size and the capabilities of your computer's operating system. So, sit back and relax while the process takes place.
12. A message indicating the successful conversion will appear along with the file destination once the process is complete. Click "OK" To finish.
13. If you want to mount the ISO file, simply right-click on it and select Mount The file will appear on this computer. File Explorer Once downloaded.
This guide helps you learn how to convert IMG to ISO. Since it can be a challenging task, feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions in the comments section below.
