DMG Format
Everything about DMG files
Can Create
No
Can Extract
Yes
Extension
.dmg
Platform
macOS native, Windows/Mac with software
DMG Guides
What Is a DMG File?
A DMG file is a disk image format used by macOS for software distribution, similar to ISO on Windows. When opened on Mac, it mounts as a virtual drive.
DMG files can contain compressed file systems, encryption, and are commonly used for distributing macOS applications (.app files) and installers.
On Windows, 7-Zip can extract files from uncompressed and ZLIB-compressed DMG images, allowing you to access Mac files without a Mac.
Can 7-Zip Open DMG Files?
7-Zip can open and extract files from uncompressed and ZLIB-compressed DMG images.
7-Zip cannot open encrypted DMG files — these require macOS or specialized Mac software with the password.
7-Zip treats DMG files like archives, allowing you to browse and extract individual files on Windows.
How to Extract DMG Files
Right-click the DMG file
Locate your .dmg file in Windows Explorer, right-click it, and navigate to "7-Zip".
Choose extraction option
Select "Extract Here" or "Open archive" to browse the DMG contents before extracting.
Access extracted files
7-Zip extracts the files from the DMG to your chosen destination. Note that macOS app bundles (.app) will appear as folders on Windows.
How to Create DMG Archives
7-Zip cannot create DMG files
DMG is a macOS-specific format. 7-Zip on Windows can extract DMG files but cannot create them.
Creating DMG files
To create DMG files, use macOS Disk Utility or the hdiutil command line tool on a Mac. There is no reliable way to create DMG files on Windows.
How to Password Protect DMG Files
7-Zip cannot open encrypted DMG files. Encrypted DMGs use proprietary Apple encryption that is not supported.
If a DMG is password-protected, you need macOS or Mac software (like Disk Utility) with the correct password to access the contents.
DMG Specifications
| Extension | .dmg |
| Compression | ZLIB, BZIP2, LZMA (varies) |
| Encryption | AES-128/256 (Apple proprietary, not supported by 7-Zip) |
| Platform | macOS native, Windows/Mac with software |
| Maximum Size | Varies |
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
| MIME Type | application/x-apple-diskimage |
Common DMG Errors & Solutions
Cannot open DMG file
Cause: DMG is encrypted or uses an unsupported compression method.
Solution: 7-Zip only supports unencrypted DMG files with ZLIB compression. Encrypted DMGs require macOS with the password. Try re-downloading if the file may be corrupted.
DMG extraction shows .app as folder
Cause: macOS .app bundles are actually directories.
Solution: This is normal. On macOS, .app appears as a single application, but it's actually a folder structure. The contents are correct; macOS-specific files won't run on Windows.
DMG vs 7Z
| Feature | DMG | 7z |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | macOS disk image | General archive |
| Can create with 7-Zip | No | Yes |
| Can extract with 7-Zip | Yes (unencrypted only) | Yes |
| Encryption | Apple proprietary | AES-256 |
DMG FAQ
Can 7-Zip open DMG files?
Yes, 7-Zip can open and extract files from unencrypted DMG files on Windows. However, it cannot open encrypted DMG files.
Can 7-Zip create DMG files?
No. DMG is a macOS-specific format that can only be created on Mac using Disk Utility or hdiutil.
How to open DMG on Windows?
Install 7-Zip, then right-click the .dmg file > 7-Zip > Extract Here or Open archive. You can browse and extract files from unencrypted DMG images.
Can I run Mac apps from a DMG on Windows?
No. Even if you extract a .app from a DMG using 7-Zip, macOS applications cannot run on Windows. You can only access data files (images, documents, etc.) from the DMG.
Why can't 7-Zip open my DMG file?
The DMG may be encrypted (7-Zip doesn't support Apple encryption), corrupted, or use an unsupported compression method. You need macOS with the password to open encrypted DMGs.
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