This document provides a broad overview on the practical uses of disk images as they pertain to archival practices and workflows. Sections include:

  • What is a disk image?
  • Why are disk images useful?
  • How are disk images created?
  • Types of disk image formats
  • Pros and cons of selected disk image formats
  • Disk image format recommendations
  • Further reading
    • Disk images
    • File systems
    • Imaging tools and software

Preferred citation:

Lassere, Monique. (2020, June 26). University of Arizona Disk Image Format Primer WIP. Software Preservation Network. https://www.softwarepreservationnetwork.org/university-of-arizona-disk-image-format-primer-wip/