Known WIM Files

Principal WIM Type

.WIM

File Name:	.wim
Type:	Windows Imaging Format File

A WIM file extension is a file-based imaging format which was developed by Microsoft and presented with Windows Vista. It enables the single disk image to be shared to multiple platforms and it can be used to manage files without booting the operating system image. WIM file enables users to service an image offline and to stores several images in one definite file.

Developer:	Microsoft Corporation
Group:	Disk Image Files
Folder:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wim

Software Programs That Open The Windows Imaging Format File:

7-Zip by Igor Pavlov

Windows

Android

Linux

Microsoft ImageX by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

ExtractNow by Open Source

Windows

WinMount International WinMount by Winmount International Inc.

Windows

PeaZip by Open Source

Windows

Linux

Optional Offer for FileViewPro by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

Troubleshooting Problems Opening WIM Files

Typical WIM Opening Challenges

7-Zip Disappeared

If you attempt to load your WIM file, you experience a message such as "Can't Open WIM Files". If this is the case, it's usually due to the fact that you do not have 7-Zip for %%os%% installed on your computer. The OS won't know what to do with your WIM file, so double-clicking to load the file doesn't work.

Tip: If you have another software that you know opens WIM files, you can select it by hitting the "Show Apps" button.

Outdated 7-Zip

It is possible that your version of 7-Zip isn't able to open your Windows Imaging Format File file due to incompatibility. If you do not have the proper version 7-Zip (or any of the other programs listed above), you may need to try downloading a different version of it, or one of the other software applications listed above. Most of the time your Windows Imaging Format File file was created by a newer 7-Zip than what you have installed.

Tip: Investigate your WIM file by right-clicking and selecting "Properties" to find clues on what version you need.

Summary: In either case, the majority of problems opening WIM files are related to not having the correct software application installed on your computer.

Other WIM File Opening Causes

Errors opening Windows Imaging Format File files can still occur even with the latest 7-Zip software installed on your computer. There can be other issues - unrelated to software - preventing you from opening WIM files. These other problems include (listed in order from most to least common):

• WIM file type Registry entries are wrong
• Unintentional removal of the description of the WIM file inside the Windows Registry
• Invalid installation of a WIM-associated program (eg. 7-Zip)
• Something has caused file corruption of your WIM
• Your WIM has adversely impacted by malware
• WIM-related hardware has device drivers that obsolete
• Your PC doesn’t have enough available resources to open the Windows Imaging Format File file