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Fast, reliable image writing for Windows. Create bootable USB and SD cards from .img and .iso files with byte-level verification, clean logs, and safe device detection—built for Windows 11/10.

  • Write & verify images (optional SHA-256 check)
  • Read-back to file for backups and audits
  • Portable 64-bit build • no ads • no telemetry
  • Clear logs for troubleshooting and support
Download Latest
Windows 11/10 (64-bit) ~12 MB installer Code-signed builds SHA-256 for every release
Win32 Disk Imager UI preparing to write an IMG file to a USB drive with verification enabled
Write once, verify always—trusted imaging for Raspberry Pi, SBCs, and bootable tools.

Key Features of Win32 Disk Imager

Write RAW Images

Quickly write raw disk images (.img, .iso, .bin) to USB drives or SD cards while preserving boot sectors and partition layout—ideal for Raspberry Pi, Steam Deck and firmware recovery tasks.

Read‑Back & Backup

Create byte‑perfect clones of removable media back into an image file. Save a snapshot before experimenting or archive a working card so you can restore it later in seconds.

Verify Image

After writing, the Verify pass re‑reads the device and compares every byte against the source file, catching hidden write errors from flaky cables or aging flash cells—before you try to boot.

Hashes on Demand

Built‑in calculator outputs SHA‑256, SHA‑1, or MD5 for both the original image and the written device, making it simple to share checksums or confirm a download’s authenticity.

Allocated‑Only Reads

Skip unused sectors during read‑back. Large 128 GB cards finish in minutes rather than hours—perfect when backing up an OS that only uses a few gigabytes.

Lightweight & Portable

No installer—just unzip and run. The 12 MB executable is digitally signed, leaves no registry traces, and is GPL‑2.0 open‑source so you can audit or modify the code.

System Requirements

Most of the time it will work in each and every machine until and unless your PC is a special case. The developers of this software crafted this software so compact that and very simple UI + Easy to use interface that you want feel any hustle while using this software and you will able to easily write an ISO image no any flash drive!

System Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
Minimum RAM512 MB
Minimum Space Required100 MB

How to create bootable USB using Win32 Disk Imager

Following are the exact steps you need to Follow in order to Create a Bootable USB Drive:

  1. Download Source File: To create a bootable drive all you need is ISO file eg. Window 11 ISO, Windows 7 ISO etc.
  2. Download Win32 Disk Imager: Just download Win32 Disk Imager from this site through above diven download button
  3. Install Win32 Disk Imager: After Downloading Just start installation process which is quite simple. If you have any difficulty We have provided steps with proper image so you don’t find any difficulties during installation process.
  4. Format the Removable Drive: Before you perform writing it is always a good practice to plug and format the removable drive / USB Stick. (You can skip this step as the tool will automatically perform this step)
  5. Select the ISO Image: Now Open the Win32 Disk Imager and select the ISO file which you want to write also select the Drive (USB Stick) from the option.
  6. Writing ISO Image: After selecting file path, click on the ‘Write’ button. A pop-up will appears simply click on ‘Yes’. After completing file transfer a Success pop up will appear and you will able to remove the USB Stick, Done!

Side by Side comparison of Win32DiskImager and Rufus

Win32DiskImagerRufusWindows Media Creation tool
Support OS (Platform on which application can run)WindowsWindowsWindows
Can make Bootable Windows OS USB? YesYesYes
Can make Bootable Linux / Ubuntu USB?YesYesNo
Size of the application12.6 MB1.1 MB18.5 MB
Average time to make bootable USB7 sec4 secN/A
GPT/UEFI Support with NTFS UEFI SupportYesYesN/A
Multi-language supportNoYesNo
How to check Hashes?Manually using PowerShellThere is an option: “#” in bottom; just hit it!MCT Download windows directly so less chances of corrupted ISO file
Multiboot available?NoNoNo

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Win32 Disk Imager do?
Win32 Disk Imager writes raw disk images (.img, .iso, .bin) to USB drives and SD cards and can read them back to an image file for backup or cloning. It preserves boot sectors and partition layout for reliable, bootable media.
Will using it erase data on my USB/SD card?
Yes. Writing an image overwrites the target device. Double-check the drive letter before you proceed and back up anything important.
Do I need Administrator rights?
Yes. Low-level access to removable media requires Administrator privileges on Windows. Right-click the app and choose Run as administrator.
How do I verify the installer is safe and intact?
Verify the digital signature (Publisher: Win32 Disk Imager Project) and compare the file’s SHA-256 with the value on our site. See Verify Checksum guide for PowerShell and CLI steps.
What’s “Verify Image” and when should I use it?
After writing, Verify Image re-reads the device and compares every byte against the source file. Use it for mission-critical media or when using older USB sticks, SD cards, or adapters to catch hidden write errors.
Can it read back a card to an image for backup?
Yes. The Read operation creates a byte-perfect image of your device. Optionally enable Allocated-only to skip unused sectors and speed up large backups.
My drive isn’t listed or shows the wrong size—what should I do?
Safely re-insert the device, try a different USB port/reader, or reboot if another tool is locking the drive. For wrong sizes after imaging, use your OS’s disk manager to re-partition or re-format the device.
Why is the write speed slow?
Speed depends on media and reader. Use USB 3.x ports, high-quality SD cards (A2/UHS-I or better), and avoid hubs. Close antivirus scans for the duration of the write if they aggressively scan large files.
Does it support .ISO files?
Yes—Win32 Disk Imager can write many bootable .iso images when they are raw-writable. If a specific ISO expects special handling, use the vendor’s method or convert to a raw image as advised by the distribution.
Is Win32 Disk Imager portable and open source?
Yes. It’s a lightweight, portable utility (no installer required) and open source under GPL-2.0. You can audit or modify the code for your workflows.
Verification failed—what now?
Re-seat the device, try another cable/reader, and run Verify again. If failures repeat, re-download the source image and compare its SHA-256. Persistent errors often indicate a failing or counterfeit flash device.