Win32 Disk Imager

In the eventuality that you are using games or software solutions from CDs or DVDs on a regular basis, then there is a good chance that you have several IMG files that you may want to create backups for. 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 information stored on the device in order to restore it later.

The program comes with a minimalistic interface that is unlikely to give you any trouble. In fact, the GUI consists of a single window where you can add the image file, select the drive and generate a hash. Whether you are creating a copy or a backup, you can preview the operation thanks to the progress bar located in the lower section of the UI.

As previously mentioned, you can also generate MD5 and SHA-1 hash algorithms that you can store and use whenever you need to identify the validity of certain images you created a long time ago. At the same time, the data can come in handy when you backup several USB devices that have the same size as it prevents restoring a different image, and it possible to copy it to the Clipboard for use in another utility.

While some may argue that they take good care of their DVD collection, it is worth mentioning that you gain some benefits from creating copy images. More precisely, a mounted image of a game or an installation kit can run considerably faster than the CD or DVD. Moreover, since you do not need to use the original source, it means less wear and tear for the disks.

Irrespective of whether you want to create copies of your favorite game CDs or create a backup of a program installation disk that you made just in case you lose the original,  Win32 Disk Imager could come in handy.