DMG is a disk image format for Mac just like an ISO file in Windows. That means, it is possible to mount a DMG file on a virtual disk or write it to a DVD and access its contents. A macOS installation package with DMG extension enables creating bootable installer DVDs. My first experience with burning a DMG file to DVD was actually on Windows, back in 2013, when Mountain Lion was the operating system. I accidentally formatted the hard disk of my iMac and lost the recovery partition in the process. The only option left for me was buying an OS X Lion Installer disc as the Internet Recovery required a lot of bandwidth and time. Later, I found a way to burn macOS DMG file to a bootable DVD on my Windows laptop. Eventually, I restored my iMac to OS X 10.8 using the same DVD as macOS installation disc.
Steps to burn DMG file to a bootable macOS DVD in Windows
This is about burning a Mac OS X installer in DMG format (InstallESD.DMG) to a DVD in Windows environment. Please note that it’s an old method applicable for Mac OS X Mountain Lion. However, the procedure is somewhat same if you download a compatible macOS High sierra or Catalina in DMG format for Transmac on Windows.
This is a toughy - I don't think you can install over a network because the Mac OS X CD in the computer you will be installing from won't be able to 'see' the other hard drive PLUS at some point the iBook would have to restart, loosing the connection to the other Mac.
Let’s see the steps and requirements to achieve what you see in the video.
- Get macOS Installer in DMG format. (Check below for macOS High Sierra and Catalina)
- In the video we use OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion downloaded from the Mac app store. You could also find a copy from the Internet.
- Install the free Windows application 7-ZIP (download) to extract and locate InstallESD.DMG, which includes all files to form a bootable macOS DVD.
- Now, download and install TransMac version 12 (15-day trial) for Windows 10 from this link.
- Run Transmac app as administrator, by right-clicking on its icon.
- Click on the File tab at the top, and select the option “Open Disk Image” to load macOS installer DMG file to the software.
- Find the DMG file loaded on the left side, right-click on it and choose to burn it to DVD.
- Once you write InstallESD.DMG file to DVD on Windows, load it to a Mac and start it.
- Press the Option key and select the listed DVD as your installation source.
The macOS High Sierra and Catalina DMG files have a size around 5.8 and 8 GB. For this file size you need a dual-layer (8.5 GB) DVD. Alternatively, if your Mac doesn’t have a DVD drive, You may consider making a macOS USB installer disk.
Make a macOS install DVD in Windows PC from DMG/ISO image
Apple has changed the file architecture of the macOS installer from OS X Mavericks 10.9. Hence, you cannot follow the above-given technique to directly extract InstallESD.DMG in Windows and make it a bootable DVD in newer macOS variants like Catalina and High Sierra. It is possible to locate InstallESD.DMG or Basesystem.DMG from the ‘Shared Support’ folder inside macOS installation package ending with .APP extension, but still, you cannot make it bootable for a USB or DVD.
A workaround for this problem is to create the DMG file in a Mac itself from the official macOS installer. However, most people searching for methods to burn macOS DVD on Windows don’t have a Mac in working state. We have converted macOS Catalina, Mojave and High Sierra app to DMG format for such users.
This upload is hosted on OneDrive for quick and easy downloads. Although Mojave is the newest macOS release, it is not compatible with older iMacs and MacBook Pros. Hence, we also provide High Sierra in DMG format for those who want it. For personal use on your Mac only. We will set an expiry date for the download link to prevent leaching and hot-linking.
Convert the downloaded macOS Mojave or High Sierra DMG to ISO or IMG
You may want macOS in ISO or IMG format if Transmac doesn’t work as expected to create Install DVD from DMG. It is also useful for running MacOS on Virtualbox.
Download DMG to IMG 1.6.7.
Extract the tool to the folder where you have macOS Mojave or High Sierra DMG installer. Then, right-click and open the DMG file and point to the DMG2IMG program. The conversation starts immediately, showing the progress in a command-line interface.
Windows 10 natively support mounting or burning files with ISO and IMG extensions. Hence, IMG is just enough for the purpose if burning DMG to DVD in Windows PC is the sole requirement. to do this, right-click on the IMG file and pick the option “bun to DVD disc,” and follow the instructions.
We also have an article on how to convert macOS to ISO on Mac and Windows.
Alternative options to burn DMG in Windows 10 without DVD drive.
If you have I an old iMac or MacBook Pro with a DVD slot, you may use the above method to restore macOS through a bootable DVD installer created from a DMG source. However, as you know, none of the new Macs has an optical drive. Let’s check out a few alternatives.
- Format a USB Drive to GPT partition scheme in Windows. Next, restore the macOS Mojave or High Sierra DMG using Transmac.
- Get a portable DVD writer to boot into macOS installer.
![Download Download](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125852454/571284597.jpg)
External hard disks also work well for this requirement provided the file system is in the HFS+ format with GUID partition scheme.
Burn DMG to DVD in macOS Catalina 10.15
Looking for a way to burn the Catalina or High Sierra DMG Installer on your Mac computer? Here is the simplest and universal method to write files with DMG extension to DVD disc on macOS.
Right-click on the DMG file. Now, as shown in the screenshot, choose the option ” Burn Disk images to Disc.” Then, select the options as required. Keep the burning speed at the lowest rate to avoid write errors, although chances are rare.
With a huge increase in the trend of making personal computer thinner and thinner, most of the companies nowadays are eliminating one of the most important functions of the computer, and that is none other that the CD/DVD drive itself! Now, the CD/DVD drives are not that thin, as compared to the computer itself and hence, they do not fit in the computer. So, to solve this problem, the best alternative is to buy an external DVD burner for your Mac or Windows PC. But wait, there are way too many external DVD burner or USB DVD burner out there in the market. So, which is the best DVD burner that you should buy? Don't worry, we have listed the top 10 best external DVD burner for Mac as well as for Windows.
Recommended DVD Burner Software for Mac and Windows
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Part 1. Top 5 Best External DVD Burner for Mac
#1. The USB Super Drive by Apple
If you are using a Mac, then chances are that you will most of the accessories made by Apple and the USB Super Drive is one of those accessories that is manufactured by Apple. With an incredible design and thin look, this USB Super Drive will never disappoint you. Like the Mac, this USB Super Drive has an aluminium body and will look like it is a part of the Mac. But like all other Apple devices, this will not come at a cheap price. If you buy it, then this device will add to the beauty of the Mac. Also, if you want something that matches the design of the Mac, then this currently the only option.
Price: $79
#2. The Ultra Slim Portable Drive by LG
If you do not want to spend a lot of money behind a DVD drive, then this Ultra Slim portable Drive by LG is the best option for you. This Drive has excellent looks and most importantly, this drive supports M-Discs. M-Discs are nothing but a most durable Disc which lasts way longer than the traditional Discs that we use. So, for those who transfer really important data and cannot change their Discs much, then they can buy an M-Disc and use this drive to use the M-Disc. Remember, not all the DVD drives support M-Disc.
Price: $33
#3. The Ultra Slim DVD Drive by Samsung
This Drive is probably the best substitute for the LG's Ultra Slim Drive. This is also slimmer the LG's DVD Drive and looks excellent. Amazingly, even after being a DVD Drive, this device is only 14mm thick! This DVD drive is the slimmest DVD Drive currently available in the market. But if you are thinking that is drive must be expensive, then you are wrong! This DVD Drive is even cheaper than the LG's DVD Drive.
Price: $25
#4. Slim External Drive by Asus
This DVD drive is a bit different that the others mentioned here. All the other DVD drive has slots in them where you can enter the Disc, kind of like a SIM Card Slot. But this DVD Drive has a Disc Tray where you can put the Disc, and then press the button on the Drive to insert the Disc in the Drive. If you are a fan of this function, then you should definitely buy this Drive but be advised that this DVD Drive is a bit thicker than the other Drives mentioned here.
Price: $33
#5. The Slim Blu Ray Drive by Samsung
If you use a lot of Blu Ray Discs, then this Slim Blu Ray Drive by Samsung is the best option and the biggest advantage of this Drive is that it supports Blu Ray Discs. But don't think that you can get this Drive at a cheap price. Since it supports Blu Ray Discs, it costs similar to the Apple's Super Drive. Also, one of the most amazing features of this DVD Drive is that it consumes a lot less power than the other DVD Drives.
Price: $79
Part 2. Top 5 Best External DVD Burner for Windows
#1. The Smasung Slim External DVD Drive
This DVD Drive is one of the most fastest DVD Drives currently available in the market and moreover, this DVD Drive supports Blu Ray! This has a USB 2.0 interface and also has a Disc Tray and is only 12.7 mm thick. This device is very slim and very attractive.
Price: $79
#2. The Asus External DVD Drive
This DVD Drive is one the most newest DVD drive available in the market and is extremely fast. This DVD Drive also supports Blu Ray and is very much beautiful. If you are looking for something slim and beautiful, then this might be the device that you should buy. This DVD Drive has very high quality and fast burning speed.
Price: $65
#3. The LG Super Multi Drive
This DVD Drive has a unique curved design and is very beautiful. This is very compact and weighs only 380 grams. This DVD Drive is also consumes a lot less power than the other drives and has a USB 2.0 interface.
Price: $24
#4. The Samsung External DVD Drive
This DVD Drive is an excellent looking device and has the latest USB interface, that is USB 3.0. This drive also has Disc Tray and has an incredible design. This drive is also extremely thin, only 14mm and is very lightweight.
Price: $25
#5. The Dell External DVD Drive
This DVD Drive is very easy to use and is fairly slim and good looking. It is only 14mm this and weighs around 200 grams. This Drive comes pre loaded with the Cyber Link Media Player and uses very less power.
Price: $30