wim file extension is related to the Windows Imaging Format (archive format) used for installation of Microsoft Windows operating system.

There is one other file type using
the WIM file extension!

empty icon.wim - WAP Wireless identity module

Detailed description

Software that open wim file

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WIM file extension - Windows Imaging Format archive

What is wim file? How to open wim files?

File type specification:

Backup file type icon Backup file type

Disk image (ISO) binary file type icon Disk image (ISO) binary file type

wim file icon: wim filetype icon

The wim file extension is used for Windows Image Format. The Windows Imaging Format (wim) is a file-based disk image format.

It was developed by Microsoft to deploy its latest Windows operating system releases, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, which use it as part of their standard installation procedure.

Features of WIM

  • WIM is hardware-agnostic, meaning that you need only one image to address many different hardware configurations.
  • WIM lets you store multiple images within one actual file.
  • WIM enables compression and single instancing.
  • WIM allows you to service an image offline.
  • WIM lets you install a disk image on partitions of any size.
  • Windows Vista provides an API for the WIM image format called WIMGAPI that developers can use to work with WIM image files.
  • WIM allows for non-destructive deployment.

The default software associated to open wim file:

ImageX picture or screenshot

Microsoft Corporation logoImageX  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

ImageX is a command-line tool that enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and corporations to capture, to modify, and to apply file-based disk images for rapid deployment.

Microsoft Windows icon

Microsoft Corporation logoMicrosoft Windows  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation

A family of operating systems developed by the Microsoft Corp. The first Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI add-on to MS-DOS. MS-DOS based Windows versions were developed to 2000, when was released the last version called Windows ME. Windows based on NT core started in 1993. Windows NT family are developed to these days, the latest version is called Microsoft Windows 11.

Related articles:

Install Windows without DVD or USB

Help how to open:

Use 7-zip and other compatible tools to view content of the wim file.

How to convert:

As far as we know, this .wim file type can't be converted to any other file format. This is usually the case of system, configuration, temporary, or data files containing data exclusive to only one software and used for its own purposes. Also some proprietary or closed file formats cannot be converted to more common file types in order to protect the intellectual property of the developer, which is for example the case of some DRM-protected multimedia files.

File identification strings:

HEX code: 4D 53 57 49 4D
ASCII code: MSWIM

Related links:

Windows Imaging Format on Wikipedia

About WIM at WinMount

List of software applications associated to the .wim file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open wim file, edit wim file, convert wim file, view wim file, play wim file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting wim files.

Software that open wim file - Windows Imaging Format archive

Programs supporting the exension wim on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open wim file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Main software associated with wim file by default:
ImageX
Microsoft Windows small icon Microsoft Windows
Other suggested software:
PeaZip small icon PeaZip
7-zip small icon 7-zip
WinMount small icon WinMount

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