To install an application on Mac, you have to set up a file with .dmg file extension, which is an Apple Disk Image file (or Mac OS X Disk Image file). However, it is similar to the ISO format used in Windows, but there are some compelling differences.

On Mac, you have to go to the drive within Finder, and you can easily find the DMG file. But, if you work primarily with Windows, then it may be difficult for you to open and read DMG files on your desktop.

Before we see how to open a DMG file, you need to first understand that you can open it on Windows, but you cannot use it for any purpose.

For example,

Suppose a DMG file is holding a software program. Now, you can open that file in Windows using the methods mentioned below, but you’ll not be able to execute the program.

You might be wondering, “What is the use of opening a DMG file in Windows?”

Well, if a DMG file stores an image or video file, then you can view it on your desktop. Although most people open DMG files in Windows to just see what’s actually inside the file.

In this guide, we will see different methods of viewing a DMG file in Windows and how you can convert a DMG file into an ISO.

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Open DMG Files in Windows

Despite the differences between macOS and Windows, you can still open DMG files on Windows with the help of third-party apps.

Open DMG Files Using 7-Zip

When it comes to extracting a file, 7-Zip is the first choice among people. It is a lightweight, powerful compression tool and you can use it for free.

Along with DMG files, you can extract other files as well, including ZIP, ISO, RAR, CAB, WIM, and more. You can even compress your files in ZIP format.

To open a DMG file using the 7-Zip, follow the steps below:

Step 1:  Download and install 7-Zip (if you don’t have it already) on your desktop.

Step 2: Once 7-Zip is installed, locate the DMG file that you want to open and right-click on it.

Step 3: Now, hover over the 7-Zip in the right-click menu, then select “Extract files…”, “Extract Here”, or “Extract to [folder name]”.

You can select any folder to extract the file. By default, the extracted folder will be created in the current File Explorer location.

Step 4: Click OK.

Now, the file will be extracted within a few minutes (depending on the size of the DMG file).

Open DMG Files Using DMG Extractor

DMG Extractor is basically introduced to extract the DMG files. It comes with a free as well as a paid version.

But, you don’t have to worry as the free version of the tool can extract the DMG files, although it does have some limitations, such as:

• Cannot extract files larger than 4 GB.
• Cannot extract encrypted files.
• Cannot extract more than 5 files at a time.

To open and view the content in a DMG file, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Download DMG Extractor and install the application on your Windows desktop.

Step 2: Open the application and navigate to File > Open. Now, search for the DMG file that you want to open.

Step 3: Select the file and click “Open”.

Now, you’ll be able to view all the contents within the DMG file.

We recommend using DMG Extractor when 7-Zip is unable to extract the DMG files.

Convert a DMG File into an ISO

The other method of accessing the contents of a DMG file in Windows is to convert it into an ISO file. You can use dmg2iso (a command-line tool) to convert DMG to ISO, so you need to follow the instructions.

You can also use conversion tools like AnyToISO, WinArchiver, and PowerISO. Before, you choose any one of them, make sure they are free to use as most ISO converters aren’t free.

AnyToISO

AnyToISO lets you extract (and convert) to ISO any disk image. It supports 20+ formats, including DMG, RAR, 7Z, PKG, and more.

To convert a DMG file to ISO file using AnyToISO, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Download and install AnyToISO on your desktop.

Step 2: Locate the DMG file that you want to convert, then right-click on it and select “Convert to [filename].iso”.

Step 3: Now, you will have to provide the destination folder where you want to save the ISO file.

Step 4: Click Start.

Your DMG file will be converted to an ISO file within a few minutes. It may take longer depending on the size of the file and speed of your desktop.

PowerISO

PowerISO lets you open, burn, extract, create, edit, convert, any kind of disk image files. Unlike AnyToISO, here we will burn the image file into a USB and then open it from the disk storage.

Step 1: Download and install PowerISO on your desktop.

Step 2: Launch the utility and then insert an empty USB in your desktop.

Step 3: On the menu bar, click on “Tools” and select “Burn” from the drop-down menu.