- Double click the.dmg file and it will mount to the disk. The contents will open and there should be either an installer or the.app file. The installation will automatically put the application into its proper folder, and the.app file can be drug to the folder.
- If 7-Zip struggles to extract your file, try right-clicking and using the Open Archive option. Convert a DMG file into an ISO. If you absolutely need to be able to access the contents of a.dmg file on your Windows computer, you’ll need to convert it into an ISO file. This allows you to mount it as normal using the ISO program of your choice.
May 19, 2004 I'm new to the panther and can't get downloaded dmg. Files to open. I get 'no mountable file systems' as a prompt and would appreciate some. Welcome To Gnutella Forums. Files won't open. I'm new to the panther and can't get downloaded dmg. Files to open. I get 'no mountable file systems' as a prompt and would appreciate some insight.
One of the most common mistakes I see among new Mac users is fumbling with how to install new software. The process for installing new applications on your Mac can be confusing at first because it differs greatly from Windows’ software installation process. Nevertheless, the Mac method of installing software is actually quite simple and intuitive once you are accustomed to it. If your desktop is littered with DMG files and white “drive”-looking icons, read on!
What are .DMG Files?
DMG stands for Disk Image, and is a format commonly used to distribute files and applications among Apple computers. A DMG file is like a virtual DVD or hard drive. They can be “mounted” on your Mac in order to work with their contents, or even burned to an actual physical disc.
In order to understand the concept of a DMG disk image, think of a storage volume such as a CD, DVD, hard drive, or external drive. A DMG file is like one of these devices in that it serves as a means to encapsulate documents, images, software, and other files. The difference is that with a DMG, there is no physical storage medium. There is only the DMG file, which can be written to a hard drive, burned to a CD or DVD, or sent over the Internet.
In order to work with the contents of a DMG file, you must mount the the disk image to your system. This may sound daunting, however “mounting” a DMG file with Mac OS X is no more complicated than double-clicking it’ icon. The operating system will load the load image and place a new icon both on your desktop, and in the sidebar of the Finder. The icon will have the same name as the DMG, and you’ll be able to browse through its contents like any other folder.
Once you are done working with the contents of the file, you will want to remove or “unmount” it from your system. Do this by opening the Finder and clicking the eject icon next to the virtual drive’s icon. Or, go to the Desktop, click once on the icon, and press CMD+E.
Software installation with Mac OS X is very different than in the Windows world. On a Windows PC you run an installer, tick off a few checkboxes, and wait for the progress meter to reach completion. There usually is no such “installation wizard” on a Mac &emdash; you simply drag and drop the program into your computer’s “Applications” directory. The trick is that most Mac applications are distributed as images called DMG files, and many new Mac users end up running applications directly from the image instead of installing them to the “Applications” directory.
Enough explanation, here’s how to install an OS X app from a DMG file:
- Find the downloaded file, which usually ends up in your Desktop or Downloads folder.
- Double-click the .DMG file to mount it. A new Finder window showing its contents should appear.
- If the window also contains a shortcut icon to “Applications”, drag and drop the app onto the shortcut.
- If not, double-click the mounted volume on your desktop and drag the app icon from there to the “Applications” icon in the Finder sidebar.
Further Explanation
Alright, that was the abridged version. Here’s the long version. I’ve just downloaded the DeskLickr application, and the DeskLickr_1.2.dmg is sitting on my desktop. I double-click it and a new icon labeled “DeskLickr 1.2” appears on my desktop. Here’s what my desktop looks like at this point:
Since most of the time a new Finder window also pops up when the image is ready for use, this one is now sitting on my desktop:
Different applications are going to show you slightly different Finder windows. Each application’s designers like to add their own artwork. Glitter aside, most applications are trying to tell you the same thing. See the arrow pointing from the DeskLickr icon to the “Applications’ shortcut? It’s telling you to drag and drop the icon into that folder. Once you’ve done so, the app will be installed.
Convert Dmg Files
If a program doesn’t provide a shortcut to the Applications folder, you’ll need to pop open a new Finder window. Press CMD+N to open a new window, then drag the program over to “Applications” in the left-hand side of the window.
Once the new program is installed it’s time to do some house cleaning. You no longer need the disk image you downloaded, so follow these steps:
- Close any Finder windows that have been left open.
- Eject the disk image (not the .DMG file). Click on its desktop icon, then press CMD+E.
- Delete the .DMG file by dragging it to the trash.
That’s it! Your new Mac application is ready to use. But wait…
Bonus Tip: Add Your New Application to the Dock
I knew you were going to ask, so I figured I would cut you off at the pass. In order to add the new application to the dock, follow these steps:
- Open up a new Finder window.
- Click on “Applications”.
- Locate your new program’s icon.
- Drag the icon to your Dock, and drop it wherever you like.
Every so often you are sent a file that has a generic icon on it, and no software on your PC can open it. You check the file extension, and it is .DMG. A .DMG file is a Mac Disk Image. There are different software options that can read and extract the contents of .DMG files so you can access the files within.
7-Zip Method
Step 1
Download the 7-Zip installer package, and install it on your computer.
Step 2
Run 7-Zip once the installation is done. Navigate to 'Tools > Options....' Click 'Select All' unless there are specific file formats listed that you require to stay registered with a different program. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' when you are done.
Double-click the .DMG archive to open it. You can now extract the contents of Mac .DMG files.
AnyToISO Method
Step 1
Step 2
Why Won't Dmg Files Open Mac
Run the installer and select your desired installation location. Run AnyToISO once the installation is complete.
Click 'Browse...' and select your source .DMG file. Click 'Convert.' You now have a PC-compatible .ISO image that can be burned to a CD and read.
DMGExtractor Method
My Computer Won't Open Files
Step 1
Why Won't Dmg Files Open On Windows 10
Download the latest DMGExtractor standalone .JAR (Java ARchive) file.
Step 2
Place the .JAR file where you want it to be installed, e.g., 'C:Program FilesDMGExtractor.'
Double-click the .JAR file. Click 'OK' on the first pop-up. When prompted, click 'No' if you only wish to do error checking on the .DMG file. Click 'Yes' if you wish to convert the .DMG file to an .ISO file. Navigate to the folder with the .DMG. Specify the output name (DMGExtractor defaults to the same name as the .DMG file) and click 'Save.' You now have a PC-compatible .ISO file that can be burned to a CD for reading on a PC.
Tip
- Using 7-Zip is the easiest method of the three outlined here, because it actually extracts the contents of .DMG files, whereas all other programs merely convert it to an .ISO, which has to be burned to a CD to be read. 7-Zip can also extract .ISO files.
Items you will need
- 7-Zip, AnyToISO or DMGExtractor