Tips to open DCM file

Can't open the DCM file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open DCM files as well as a list of programs that support DCM files.

DCM file extension

File Name DICOM Image
File Developer NEMA
File Category Raster Image Files

The DCM file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the DCM files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the DCM file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 8
  • 4
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is DCM file?

A .DCM file, or less often .DICOM, is a graphic file saved in the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format, it is a specialized format for storing test results in the form of images (e.g. X-ray or magnetic resonance scan). Typically, the image also has patient data overlaid. This data is also in the file's metadata. Not all photo viewer apps can open these files, however there are free solutions for all hardware platforms.

How to open DCM file?

An often recurring problem with DICOM Image is that DCM is not associated with the correct program file. Thus, when you open DCM, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the DCM file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Adobe Photoshop

In this case, you should first verify that the Adobe Photoshop application is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name Adobe Photoshop into the system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below you will find a list of applications that support DCM files.

Step 2. Create association of Adobe Photoshop with DCM files

If, despite the installed application, the DCM file does not start in the Adobe Photoshop application, you must create a file association. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the Adobe Photoshop application as the default for handling the DCM file.

Step 3. Update Adobe Photoshop to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Adobe Photoshop program with the DICOM Image file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the Adobe Systems Incorporated website and install the latest version.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the DCM file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

The DCM file may be unusually small compared to the original file. This suggests truncating the DCM file contents when downloading or copying. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. Some antivirus vendors also provide free online scanners. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our DCM file. However, remember that not every infected DCM file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
Older version of DCM file may not always be supported by the latest software version. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair DCM file corruption. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting NEMA, but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted DCM files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. Copying the DCM file to another location will fix the problem.
This problem usually affects more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file DCM to close. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the DCM file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.