Use Win32 Disk Imager or Alternative in Windows 10 64 Bit Easily

You will learn how to Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64 bit to create images for removable devices. But some users complaint that it does not always work, thus you can directly use Win32 Disk Imager alternative to make it.

By @Delia Last Updated October 30, 2024

Overview of Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64-bit

Win32 Disk Imager is a compact application that allows you to write a raw disk image to a removable device (USB drive, SD memory card, etc) or backup a removable device to a raw image file.

The new version of this program (version 1.0) supports Windows 7/8.1/10, and also works on Windows Server 2008/2012/2016 (although not tested by the developmers). For Windows XP/Vista, you can turn to Win32 Disk Imager 0.9.

The official site suggests you doing a Win32DiskImager Read before you actually write to USB floppy drives. The Win32DiskImager Write process may run into issues in previous version and fixed in version1.0. 

How to use Win32 Disk Imager easily?

It is necessary to backup removable drives, because they can simply stop working at any time and are easily lost due to small size. To prevent the data of the removable drives from being lost, you can create an image file of the drives with Win32 Disk Imager. Suppose you want to backup an SD card. Let’s learn how to use Win32 Disk Imager.

Tip: Before using this tool, you need to know, some users complained, Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 7 works fine, but Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64 bit doesn’t always work fine. They got errors during the process of creating disk image, “An error occurred when attempting to read data from handle. Error 21: The device is not ready”, “Access denied”, and “Error 5”. And many people said they can’t even launch this application. In addition, if you use a Ramdisk, this software will crash. Thus, to avoid these situation, you could try these useful tips in the following.
  • Download, install Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10. Then, set the compatibility of this software to Windows 7 compatibility in its Properties window.
  • be sure the device to store backup image has enough space.  
  • Use  “Read only allocated partitions”  option during the backup process. It only read the in-use data on the SD card you want to backup and drastically reduce the creation time and file size of our .img backup file

Then, continue to see the steps below and learn how to use Win32 Disk Imager easily. 

Step 1. Insert your SD card into the SD card reader on your PC.

Step 2. Open Win32 Disk Imager, choose the drive letter of your SD card (here is I:\) under “Device”.

Step 3. Then, click the blue folder icon under “Image File” to choose a location on your PC to save the backup image and name the image file.

Step 4. Click Read to backup SD card. 

Tip: If you want to wirte ISO image file to device and make it bootable, you could use the Write option of Win32 Disk Imager.

It's not difficult to understand the process of creating a backup for your SD card. Also, there is a possibility that the Win32 Disk Imager is not opening or does not work properly.

At this time point, you may turn to a Win32 Disk Imager alternative - AOMEI Backupper, so as to gain a better experience of imaging drives and get things completed smoothly and easily. It's even better If the device you want to backup is a bootable hard drive or SSD.

Best free Win32 Disk Imager alternative - AOMEI Backupper Standard

Is there a reliable and easy-to-use Win32 Disk Imager alternative? Yes, AOMEI Backupper Standard is such a backup utility you need. It allows you to backup removable drives (eg: USB drive or SD card) and other storage devices like hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs), and it is even better if the device you want to backup is a system disk.

Because it will backup all the items in the device, including the system files, settings, drivers, operating system, etc. Not only that, with the help of Disk Clone feature, you can clone hard drive and then directly use it without restoring image file. And you can enjoy the following advantages:

Backup files or partition: By using it, you can not only backup the entire SD card, but also specific folders or selected partition(s). It allows you to backup multiple items simultaneously by selecting all files you want to backup or adding more than one partition or disk.
Diverse backup features: You can enable normal or high compression level to greatly reduce the size of image file. And it enables you to execute schedule backup (eg: daily, weekly, monthly) to run automatically and keep track of changes made later. Usually, it's used with Incremental Backup, which is to backup only changes.
Works well on all Windows systems: It applies to Windows 10 32/64 bit as well as Windows 11/18.1/8/7/Vista/XP(all versions). 

Backing up removable drives with this freeware only needs a few clicks. Just download it to have a try! For server users, try AOMEI Backupper Server ( 70$ off for 1 server). 

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
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Stepwise guide: Backup removable drives with AOMEI Backupper Standard

Step 1. Install and open this freeware. Connect the removable drive to your computer and make sure it is detected.

Step 2. Click Backup and Disk Backup subsequently.

Tips:

  •  If you only want to backup specific folders, or partition(s), you can select File Backup or Partition Backup.
  • If the device you want to backup includes the operating system, you can use System Backup or Disk Backup.

Step 3. Change the Task Name as you like. Select the removable drive to be backed up by clicking Add Disk.

Step 4. Select a destination path to save the backup image.

Step 5. Finally, click Start Backup to backup removable devices. It will include everything when you back it up, not changes or added files later. To keep them up-to-date, you need to enable daily backup, weekly backup, or monthly backup in the Schedule Backup.

Also, you can try the Event trigger or USB plug-in on the professional version. However, this may result in an insufficient disk space issue due to accumulated backups unless you delete old backup images. 

Since this software backs up only changes based on the last backup, which will require all of them for disaster recovery. If you mistakenly delete any backup, the subsequent backup becomes invalid.

At this time, you can change it to differential backup or choose to delete old backup with automatic backup cleanup method in the Backup Scheme. You need to upgrade now before using it. 5% off for one computer, 20% off for two computers, and 30% off for three computers.

Tips:

  • To restore disk image, you can go to Home > find the disk backup task > expand its menu and select Restore.

  • If you want to bring your files always with you and use them frequently, the file sync feature will be a better choice. It allows you to directly view your files/folders in the destination path without restoring image file.

  • You can create a recovery environment in AOMEI Backupper Professional to help you perform system backup restore or other backups restore operations when the system crashes.

Summary

Now you know how to backup removable drives with Win32 Disk Imager in Windows 10 64-bit. However, even though you make the preparations mentioned above, it may not work sometimes.

Luckily, the best free Win32 Disk Imager alternative - AOMEI Backupper can help you out. It runs smoothly on Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista (both 64-bit and 32-bit) and offers more advanced settings.

For example, you can backup only changed data on the removable via incremental and differential backup. Also, you can clone the system disk and then directly use it to boot your computer when it fails. Download it now to discover more!