Purpose
The Microsoft Windows image mastering API enables applications to stage and burn images to CD and DVD optical storage media. Other disc-like media that lay images in the same manner can also use this API.
Developer Audience
IMAPI is designed for C/C++ and Visual Basic developers and those writing scripts using VBScript.
Knowledge of CD and DVD technologies and file systems is recommended. Developers may benefit from a familiarity with the latest revision of Multimedia Command (MMC) at ftp://ftp.t10.org/t10/drafts/mmc5.
Run-Time Requirements
IMAPI 2.0 is supported natively in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Enabling IMAPI 2.0 functionality for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 requires the installation of the KB932716 update package.
Note A Windows Feature Pack for Storage has recently been made available to the public via Microsoft Connect. Additional information regarding specific API changes can be found in the 'What's New' section of the SDK IMAPI documentation.
IMAPI 1.0 support is available for applications that run on Windows XP.
In This Section
| Topic | Description | What's New | Information detailing each significant release of the Image Mastering API. |
About IMAPI | General information about the Image Mastering API. |
Using IMAPI | Task-related topics that demonstrate how to use the Image Mastering API. |
IMAPI Reference | Detailed descriptions of IMAPI interfaces and other programming elements. |
Additional Resources
Further information regarding IMAPI and other related technologies can be found at the following locations:
| Optical Platform Discussion Forum | Discuss CDROM.SYS, IMAPIv2 and Live File System issues. This forum focuses on OS level topics and is intended for application developers rather than Vista users. |
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Build date: 8/7/2008