.IMG File Extension

7 file types use the .img file extension.

Disc Image Data File

Developer N/A
Popularity
4.1  |  254 Votes
 

What is an IMG file?

An IMG file is a disk image file created by various disk imaging applications, such as H+H Software Virtual CD. It stores an exact copy of the data on a CD or DVD and is used for backups and burning new discs.

More Information

IMG files created by different disk imaging programs may use different formats. For example, IMG files created by SlySoft CloneCD must be paired with an associated .CCD and .SUB file before they can be used to create a disc. Before using an IMG file to create a new disc, you should attempt to determine what program created the IMG file and check whether your disc-authoring program can burn files saved in that format.

How to open an IMG file

You can use IMG files to create discs in several Windows programs, including:

When using a CloneCD IMG file to create a disc, you must also supply the CCD and SUB files associated with the CloneCD IMG file.

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Programs that open IMG files

Windows
H+H Software Virtual CD
Lightning UK! ImgBurn
Free
Smart Projects IsoBuster
EZB Systems UltraISO
Free Trial
MagicISO  —  Discontinued
Free Trial
Power Software gBurner
Free Trial

Grand Theft Auto Data File

Developer Rockstar Games
Popularity
3.4  |  44 Votes
 

An IMG file may also be a data file used by Grand Theft Auto (GTA) III and IV. It contains various game data, including car and unit graphics, weapons, and other game items. Modders often alter IMG files to create custom game content.

More Information

IMG files have three different file format versions:

  • GTA III and GTA: Vice City: Stored with a separate ".dir" file
  • GTA: San Andreas: Combines the .img and .dir files into a single archive
  • GTA IV: Supports encrypted game data

GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas use the file gta3.img to save game data. This file type can be "modded" using the program IMG Tool. GTA IV IMG files can be edited using SparkIV or OpenIV.

Common IMG Filenames

Gta3.img - The IMG file included with GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas.

How to open an IMG file

You can open IMG files with SparkIV (Windows), OpenIV (Windows), or IMG Tool (Windows). Note that each tool can open only some games' IMG files. IMG Tool can open GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas IMG files, while SparkIV and OpenIV can open GTA IV IMG files.

Programs that open or reference IMG files

Windows
Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto 3
Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto 4
IMG Tool
Free
SparkIV
Free
OpenIV
Free
ImgEd
Free

Macintosh Disk Image

Developer Apple
Popularity
3.5  |  31 Votes
 

An IMG file may also be a disk image used to mount a file system. It can be mounted like a disk drive (e.g., an external hard drive) or an optical disc (e.g., a CD or DVD). IMG files are stored on the hard drive but are recognized as a disc or hard disk when mounted by the computer.

More Information

IMG files were used by Mac OS 9 and earlier versions of the Mac OS. They can still be opened on macOS, but they have been replaced by the newer .DMG disk image format.

NOTE: In some cases, renaming an IMG file's extension from .img to .iso allows other programs to open the file.

Programs that open IMG files

Mac
Apple Disk Utility
Included with OS
Roxio Toast 20

Floppy Disk Image

Developer N/A
Popularity
3.6  |  20 Votes
 

An IMG file may also be a disk image created using the contents of a 3.5" floppy disk, which usually has a 1.44MB capacity. It stores a disk's contents as a single file that can be mounted on a computer virtually, instead of from the floppy drive. IMG files are often used to install and access older operating systems, such as MS-DOS, within virtual machines.

More Information

Floppy disk image files are not commonly used anymore since floppy disk drives are no longer included with most new computer systems.

How to open an IMG file

You can view the contents of an IMG file using DiskCopy (Windows), and you can install an IMG-based operating system within a virtual machine using Oracle VM VirtualBox (cross-platform).

Programs that open or reference IMG files

Windows
RawWrite
Free
DiskCopy
Free
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Free
Mac
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Free
Linux
RawWrite
Free
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Free

Garmin Map File

Developer Garmin
Popularity
3.0  |  20 Votes
 

File used by Garmin GPS devices; contains map data, such as street names, navigation routes, and points of interest; used to store and upload user-customized and Garmin pre-installed map data onto Garmin devices.

Programs that open or reference IMG files

Windows
Garmin Mobile PC
cGPSmapper
MapUpload
GPS Map Manager
MapSetToolKit
Sendmap
Linux
cGPSmapper

ERDAS IMAGINE Image File

Developer ERDAS
Popularity
3.0  |  18 Votes
 

Raster image created by ERDAS IMAGINE, a geospatial data authoring application; contains one or more layers, called bands, which include multiple image tiles that comprise the image; used to store small to very large geographical datasets.

More Information

IMG files may contain additional information, such as statistics, ground control points, map information, and image metadata. They also support subsampled raster layers, called pyramid layers, for faster screen display within GIS applications.

IMAGINE images use the ERDAS Hierarchal File Format (HFA) to store raster data.

Programs that open IMG files

Windows
ERDAS IMAGINE
ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop
Free Trial
GDAL
Free

GEM Image

Developer Digital Research
Popularity
2.5  |  14 Votes
 

An IMG file may also be a raster image saved in the GEM image format. This format was originally used in the GEM operating environment, created by Digital Research for use with DOS. While IMG files are now uncommon, some image viewers and converters can still open them.

More Information

Screenshot of a .img file in XnViewMP
IMG file open in XnViewMP

In the 1980s, Digital Research created the Graphics Environment Manager (GEM) operating environment, which allowed users to run a variety of programs, including GEM Paint and Ventura Publisher. GEM programs often saved images in the IMG format (or related formats).

IMG files may contain monochrome, grayscale, or color images. Color images can be comprised of up to 16 colors.

NOTE: Novell acquired Digital Research in the 1990s.

How to open an IMG file

You can open an IMG file with XnViewMP (multiplatform), Netpbm (multiplatform), or Logipole Konvertor (Windows). For example, to open an IMG file with XnViewMP, select File → Open... from the program's menu bar, and then navigate to and open your IMG file.

How to convert an IMG file

You can use Logipole Konvertor (Windows), Netpbm (multiplatform), or XnViewMP (multiplatform) to convert IMG files to other image formats. For example, XnViewMP can convert IMG files to the following formats (and many others):

  • .JPG - JPEG Image
  • .GIF - Graphical Interchange Format
  • .PNG - Portable Network Graphic
  • .TIFF - Tagged Image File Format
  • .BMP - Bitmap Image
  • .PCX - Paintbrush Bitmap Image
  • .TGA - Targa Graphic
  • .JP2 - JPEG 2000 Core Image
  • .JXR - JPEG XR Image
  • .WEBP - WebP Image

Programs that open IMG files

Windows
XnViewMP
Free
Netpbm
Free
Logipole Konvertor
Free
Mac
XnViewMP
Free
Netpbm
Free
Linux
XnViewMP
Free
Netpbm
Free

Verified by FileInfo.com

The FileInfo.com team has independently researched all file formats and software programs listed on this page. Our goal is 100% accuracy and we only publish information about file types that we have verified.

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