How do I open DICOM files on Windows?#
Step 1 — Don't run the hospital's viewer#
Most CDs ship with a Viewer.exe, StartViewer.bat, or autorun.inf. These are old tools built against 32-bit Windows. On current Windows 10/11 they frequently: fail Windows Defender's SmartScreen check, demand admin rights, or require a Visual C++ runtime that may not be installed on your PC. You don't need any of that to see your own MRI or CT.
Step 2 — Find the DICOM folder#
Insert the CD or plug the USB. Open File Explorer (Win + E), click the disc/USB in the left sidebar. Look for a folder called DICOM, IMAGES, IMG, or the patient's name. That folder is what you want — not the .exe file next to it.
Step 3 — Copy to Desktop#
Select the folder, Ctrl + C, go to Desktop, Ctrl + V. Reason: CDs read slowly, and Chrome / Edge can refuse to read from a read-only optical disc directly on work PCs with group-policy restrictions.
Step 4 — Open the browser page#
Go to https://openmyscan.com. Any modern Edge, Chrome, or Firefox. Internet Explorer and the old (legacy) Edge don't work. Use the modern Edge that came with Windows 10/11 updates, or install Chrome or Firefox.
Step 5 — Drag the folder in#
Drag the Desktop copy onto the drop zone. Watch the progress bar; a typical MRI is 100–500 slices (5–30 seconds) and a chest CT can be 1000+ (30–120 seconds on a mid-range laptop).
Step 6 — Use the viewer#
Scroll slices with the mouse wheel or the slider. Sidebar shows the series. PNG export, compare side-by-side, and ZIP share package are all included in the free DICOM viewer — at no cost.
Why won't DICOM files open on Windows?#
- SmartScreen blocked the hospital's viewer
- Yes — that's expected. Use OpenMyScan instead, you don't need the hospital's
.exe. - File Explorer can't find the DICOM folder
- Some CDs use a hidden AutoRun that doesn't show folders by default. In File Explorer: View → Options → View tab → uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" — then browse the disc root.
- Drag doesn't do anything on Edge at work
- Corporate or school PCs sometimes block file-system access in the browser. Try Chrome, or use the "Choose folder" button on the page instead of drag.
- My laptop has no CD drive
- Either (a) use a cheap USB CD drive (~$15), (b) ask a friend with a desktop to copy the CD onto a USB, or (c) ask your hospital for a USB or download link — most clinics offer one.
Common questions#
Does this work on Windows 7 or 8?
The browser matters, not the OS. If you can run Chrome 100+ on Windows 7, yes — but upgrade if you can.
Do I need to be admin on my work laptop?
No. Nothing installs.
Can antivirus block it?
OpenMyScan is a normal website; antivirus doesn't intercept browser-local file reads. If your work IT has specifically blocklisted openmyscan.com, you'll need to ask them.
Does this work offline?
Yes, after the first successful load. OpenMyScan caches in your browser, so you can use it on a plane or without WiFi as long as the page loaded once. Your files stay local either way.
Do my files upload anywhere?
No. OpenMyScan runs entirely in your browser; your scan never leaves your device. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the viewer still works.
Can I view my scan on my phone?
No. OpenMyScan needs a wider screen to show images alongside the series list — use a laptop, desktop, or tablet in landscape. Phone support is not planned.