Win32 Disk Imager. Image Writer for Microsoft Windows Release 1.0.0 - The 'Holy cow, we made a 1.0 Release' release. About: This utility is used to read and write raw image files to SD and USB memory devices. Simply run the utility, point it at your raw image, and then select the removable device to write to. Overview of Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64 bit. Win32 Disk Imager is a compact application that allows you to write a raw disk image to a removable device (USB drive, SD memory card, etc) or backup a removable device to a raw image file. Win32 Disk Imager is a compact application that allows you to create an image file from a removable storage device such as a USB drive or an SD memory card. It can be used to back up the.
The Win32 Disk Imager can be described as a fairly lightweight application for Windows. Its purpose is to save boot image files directly onto removable drives. SD memory cards and USB drives are a couple of examples. You can use this application to flash or write operating system image files directly onto removable drives. That makes the drive bootable. You can make bootable USB flash drives with an operating system of your choosing and use them on various computers. It also allows you to make system backups.
Win32 Disk Imager is capable of supporting flashing various image files, including .img and .iso. This open-source program lets savvy users modify and update the program as needed. The following FAQs will answer questions that you may have about Win32 Disk Imager’s functionality.
What OS are Supported by This Software?
Win32 Disk Imager is compatible with Windows OS. Mac users can use the “Boot Camp Assistant” if they want to have Windows installed on their Macs.
How Do I Install This Software?
Flexibility is a virtue of Win32 Disk Imager. Installation of the software is easy. Simply download the installer program from here. After the installer has been downloaded, the actual installation process can begin. You needn’t concern yourself with any special configurations or options during the installation process.
After the installation is complete, the file can be run as desired. You should use the option “Run as Administrator” when this application is being used.
How to Run Win32 Disk Imager
Win32 Disk Imager should be run after clicking “Run as Administrator.” The program’s icon might have to be right-clicked first if administrator privileges are something your account does not have. Choose the file that you want to flash. In the event that you cannot see the image file, the option “Disk Images” should be changed to “All Files.” Choose the file that you need, then pick the drive that you want an image file flashed to.
A USB flash drive or SD card should then be inserted into your computer. Within seconds, the app will detect it. Choose the device that you want your image file flashed to, then click “Write.” If the software asks you to confirm whether you want to overwrite content on the USB flash drive or SD card, click “Yes.”
What Does the Process Entail?
This software works by using the Windows OS when an image file is being written or read to a removable drive. This allows the software to work easily and quickly. It capitalizes on the user interface’s intuitive nature. It simply needs to be run (administrator privileges may be necessary) to bypass a lot of the issues associated with the application. The existing version, which can currently be downloaded from here, is intended to be used on Windows 7 and higher. However, it is effective on other Windows OS versions, also.
How Is This Program Run?
Win32 Disk Imager can be run right after you’ve completed the simple and quick installation process. The program can be run by way of the desktop shortcut or through OS’s start menu.
Administrator privileges might be necessary when running the software to bypass potential issues. This website or the original source is where you should be downloading this program directly from.
What Happens If Win32 Disk Imager Won’t Open?
This program is a simple and lightweight but robust program. You might encounter several issues when this application is being opened. For instance, Win32 Disk Imager does have issues with computers using the RAMdisk software, and this issue hasn’t yet been resolved. If the RAMdisk application is being used on your computer, you are encouraged to uninstall it ahead of using Win32 Disk Imager.
This program might have problems with unpackaged or older editions of Windows OS. Incompatibility issues might transpire. To minimize the odds of the program crashing, your Windows OS should be updated.
What Happens If Win32 Disk Imager Won’t Start or Work on Windows 10?
Some people have reported this program not starting or working on new editions of Windows 10. As rare as this is, it is hard to fix because of insufficient support from Win32 Disk Imager’s developers. Ensure that you are running your version of the program as an administrator. If you continue to have issues, try uninstalling Win32 Disk Imager, then reinstalling it. Alternatively, you can have an older edition of this program installed. Registry cleaners (for instance, CCleaner) can tidy up unnecessary entries and registry errors.
What If Win32 Disk Imager Cannot Detect My Device?
Sometimes, Win32 Disk Imager might not display your device. That might be because your computer cannot detect the device you’re using. It might also be because the software doesn’t have privileges, and therefore cannot access any removable media that is connected to the computer you’re using. Ensure that the removable media you’re using is working as it should be. Your computer should detect it when running Win32 Disk Imager as an administrator. Also, the alarm USB device you’re using should be working correctly. Occasionally, a USB port may not be functioning as it should, as opposed to the actual USB drive.
The Software Doesn’t List Any Devices
This Win32 Disk Imager common issue is easily rectified. Simply run the program as an administrator. When you have Administrator privileges, you’ll be able to access, write, and read removable devices that have a connection to the computer you are using at the time. You should also check to make sure that any removable devices used are working as they should be.
Win32 Disk Imager Isn’t Responding.
The software might lag or perhaps not even respond because of potential conflicts with the OS your computer uses. The program might have issues if the hardware that’s used to read either a CF or SD card uses an interface without a USB. Ensure that the most recent edition of Windows is used. Also, make sure that the card reader is USB-friendly. A lack of RAM space might also be an issue, so ensure that plenty of RAM is available. Occasionally, use of an older Win32 Disk Imager version might easily resolve these issues.
Overview of Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64 bit
Win32 Disk Imager is a compact application that allows you to write a raw disk image to a removable device (USB drive, SD memory card, etc) or backup a removable device to a raw image file.
The new version of this program (version 1.0) supports Windows 7/8.1/10, and also works on Windows Server 2008/2012/2016 (although not tested by the developmers). For Windows XP/Vista, you can turn to Win32 Disk Imager 0.9.
The official site suggests you doing a Win32DiskImager Read before you actually write to USB floppy drives. The Win32DiskImager Write process may run into issues in previous version and fixed in version1.0.
How to use Win32 Disk Imager easily?
It is necessary to backup removable drives, because they can simply stop working at any time and are easily lost due to small size. To prevent the data of the removable drives from being lost, you can create an image file of the drives with Win32 Disk Imager. Suppose you want to backup an SD card. Let’s learn how to use Win32 Disk Imager.
Before using this tool, you need to know, some users complained, Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 7 works fine, but Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64 bit doesn’t always work fine. They got errors during the process of creating disk image, “An error occurred when attempting to read data from handle. Error 21: The device is not ready”, “Access denied”, and “Error 5”. And many people said they can’t even launch this application. In addition, if you use a Ramdisk, this software will crash.
Thus, to avoid these situation, you could try these useful tips in the following.
- Download, install Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10. Then, set the compatibility of this software to Windows 7 compatibility in its Properties window.
- be sure the device to store backup image has enough space.
- Use “Read only allocated partitions” option during the backup process. It only read the in use data on the SD card you want to backup and drastically reduce the creation time and file size of our .img backup file
Then, continue to see the steps below and learn how to use Win32 Disk Imager easily.
Step 1. Insert your SD card into the SD card reader on your PC.
Step 2. Open Win32 Disk Imager, choose the drive letter of your SD card (here is I:) under “Device”.
Step 3. Then, click the blue folder icon under “Image File” to choose a location on your PC to save the backup image and name the image file.
Step 4. Click Read to backup SD card.
Tip: If you want to wirte ISO image file to device and make it bootable, you could use the Write option of Win32 Disk Imager.
It's not difficult to understand the process of creating a backup for your SD card. Also, there is a possibility that the Win32 Disk Imager is not opening or does not work properly.
At this time point, you may turn to a Win32 Disk Imager alternative - AOMEI Backupper, so as to gain better experience of imaging drives and get things completed smoothly and easily. It's even better If the device you want to backup is a bootable hard drive or SSD.
Best free Win32 Disk Imager alternative - AOMEI Backupper Standard
Is there a reliable and easy-to-use Win32 Disk Imager alternative? Yes, in fact, AOMEI Backupper Standard is such a backup utility you need. It allows you to backup removable drives (eg: USB drive or SD card)and other storage devices like hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs), and it is even better if the device you want to backup is a system disk.
Because it will backup all the items in the device, including the system files, settings, drivers, operating system, etc. Not only that, with the help of Disk Clone feature, you can clone hard drive and then directly use it without restoring image file.
By using it, you can not only backup the entire SD card, but also specific folders or selected partition(s). It allows you to backup multiple items simultaneously by selecting all files you want to backup or adding more than one partition or disk.
In addition, you can enable normal or high compression level to greatly reduce the size of image file. And it enables you to execute schedule backup (eg: daily, weekly, monthly) to run automatically and keep track of changes made later.
It applies to Windows 10 32/64 bit as well as Windows 8.1/8/7/Vista/XP(all versions). Backing up removable drives with this freeware only needs a few clicks. Just download it to have a try!
Stepwise guide: Backup removable drives with AOMEI Backupper Standard
Win32 Disk Imager Windows 10
Step 1. Install and open this freeware. Connect the removable drive to your computer and make sure it is detected.
Step 2. Click Backup and Disk Backup subsequently.
Tips:
- If you only want to backup specific folders, or partition(s), you can select File Backup or Partition Backup.
- If the device you want to backup including the operating system, you can use System Backup or Disk Backup.
Step 3. Change the Task Name as you like. Select the removable drive to be backed up by clicking Add Disk.
Step 4. Select a destination path to save the backup image.
Step 5. Finally click Start Backup to begin the process.
Win32diskimager Utility
Tip:
To restore disk image, you can go to Home > find the disk backup task > expand its menu and select Restore.
If you want to bring your files always with you and use it frequently, the file sync feature will a better choice. It allows you to directly view your files/folders in the destination path without restoring image file.
Summary
Now you know how to backup removable drives with Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64 bit. However, even though you make preparations mentioned above, it may not work sometimes.
Luckily, the best free Win32 Disk Imager alternative - AOMEI Backupper can help you out. It runs smoothly on Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista (both 64 bit and 32 bit) and offers more advanced settings.
For example, you can backup only changed data on the removable via incremental and differential backup. Also, you can clone system disk and then directly use it to boot your computer when it fails. Download it now to discover more!