IMG (file format)
The IMG file format is one of the following files:
1. A CD or DVD image file, essentially equivalent to an ISO file. On such a file, simply changing the extention from IMG to ISO can make it usable as the latter by most programs.
2. An archive format used for creating a disk image of floppy disks and HDDs. This allows for digital storage, transmission, and replication of floppy disks and HDDs. Files created using this format typically use the ".IMG" file extension.
3. A file in the Macintosh Disk Image format used by Aladdin Systems (now Allume Systems) ShrinkWrap and Apple Disk Copy for Mac OS although they share the same file extension.
4. A graphics image format used in various ways by many different graphics software packages.
IMG archiveFormat details
An IMG file contains a raw dump of the content of a disk. This format is not compatible with the Disk Copy Fast and DiskDupe format but is supported by multiple software vendors and conventions. It contains the same data as the IMA file format.
Support and development
The IMG file format is currently supported by GNU RaWrite & RaWrite2, RawWrite for Windows, and WinRawrite. It is utilized by Microsoft Virtual Machine/Microsoft Virtual Server,Qemu,VirtualBox and WinImage
Nero Burning ROM prior to 6.0 supported reading IMG file for creating bootable CD, but since then calls them IMA.
It was first popularized by the DOS-based programs HDCopy.
Use
IMG files are used for:
- Digital storage, transmission, and replication of floppy disks.
- Mounting virtual floppy disk volumes.