Most medical imaging CDs come with a built-in viewer that launches automatically when you insert the disc. If it doesn’t, or if your computer lacks a CD drive, you have a few straightforward options to pull up your images. The key thing to know is that medical images are stored in a special format called DICOM, not as regular image files, so you need the right software to open them.
What’s on the CD
Medical imaging CDs don’t contain simple JPEGs or PDFs. Your X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs are stored in DICOM format, the international standard for medical imaging. Each DICOM file includes both the image itself and a header packed with metadata like your name, the date, and technical details about how the scan was taken. Because of this format, double-clicking the files won’t open them in your regular photo viewer.
The good news: most radiology departments include a free viewer program right on the disc. This viewer is designed to read the DICOM files and display them with basic tools for zooming, adjusting brightness, and scrolling through slices (if you have a CT or MRI).
Opening the CD on Windows
Insert the disc into your CD/DVD drive and wait a few seconds. On most Windows computers, the built-in viewer will auto-launch and display your images without any extra steps. If nothing happens, open File Explorer, navigate to “This PC” (or “My Computer” on older versions), and double-click your CD/DVD drive.
You’ll typically see a few folders. Look for one labeled “Viewer” or a file named something like “StartViewer.exe,” “Run.exe,” or “Run DLG.” Double-click it to launch the viewer. The exact file name varies depending on the imaging center, but it’s usually obvious. Some discs have a “ReadMe” or “Instructions” file that tells you exactly which file to run.
Opening the CD on a Mac
This is where things get tricky. The viewer software bundled on most medical CDs is a Windows executable (.exe file), which won’t run on macOS. Your Mac will show the disc’s contents in Finder, but clicking the viewer won’t do anything useful.
The simplest workaround is to download a free DICOM viewer for Mac. OsiriX Lite is the most widely used option. Once installed, you can open the DICOM files directly from the disc. To find them, look inside the disc’s folder structure for files with a “.dcm” extension, or simply drag the entire disc contents into OsiriX and let it detect the image files automatically. Some DICOM files have no file extension at all, so a dedicated viewer that can scan folders is helpful.
If Your Computer Has No CD Drive
Most laptops made in the last decade don’t include an optical drive. A USB external CD/DVD drive solves this, and basic models cost around $15 to $25. Any standard external drive will work since medical CDs are regular data discs, not a special format. Plug it in, insert the disc, and follow the same steps above.
If you’d rather skip buying a drive, ask a friend or family member with a CD drive to copy the disc’s entire contents onto a USB flash drive. You can then open those files on your own computer using a standalone DICOM viewer (more on that below).
Free DICOM Viewers You Can Download
If the built-in viewer on the disc doesn’t work, or you’ve copied the files to your hard drive, a standalone DICOM viewer lets you open the images independently. A few reliable, free options:
- RadiAnt DICOM Viewer (Windows): lightweight, fast, and easy to navigate for someone who just wants to look at their own scans.
- OsiriX Lite (Mac): the go-to free viewer for macOS, widely used even in clinical settings.
- MicroDicom (Windows): another free option with a simple interface and basic measurement tools.
- Horos (Mac): a free, open-source alternative to OsiriX with similar features.
After installing any of these, open the program first, then use its import or “open folder” function to point it at the disc or the folder where you saved the files. The viewer will find and organize all the images for you.
Troubleshooting a Disc That Won’t Load
If your computer doesn’t recognize the disc at all, the problem is usually with the drive rather than the disc. On Windows, open Device Manager, expand “DVD/CD-ROM drives,” right-click your drive, and select “Uninstall device.” Then restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when it boots back up, which resolves most recognition issues.
If the disc spins but the viewer crashes or shows an error, try copying the entire disc to a folder on your desktop and opening the files from there. Optical drives read data more slowly than hard drives, and some viewers struggle with this. Running the files locally often fixes lag and loading errors. Also check that AutoRun is enabled in your Windows settings, since some security software disables it.
Scratched or damaged discs are another common culprit. If you can see visible scratches, contact the imaging center and ask for a replacement. Most facilities will burn a new copy at no charge.
Ask About Digital Access Instead
CDs are increasingly being replaced by online options. As a 2021 paper in the Journal of Digital Imaging put it, the practice of handing patients CDs is “outdated as the majority of modern computers do not possess optical drives.” Many hospitals and imaging centers now offer patient portals where you can view and download your images directly through a web browser.
If you haven’t checked already, log into your healthcare provider’s patient portal or call the imaging center and ask whether your studies are available online. Some systems let you share images digitally with other doctors too, which is far more convenient than mailing or hand-delivering a disc.
Keeping Your Images Secure
Your medical images contain personal health information, including your full name, date of birth, and medical record number embedded in the DICOM metadata. If you copy files to your computer, store them in a password-protected folder. If you email images to another provider, be aware that standard email isn’t encrypted. Using your provider’s secure messaging system or patient portal is a safer option for sharing.