E01 File Viewer Software to Read E01 File Easily

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Published On July 18th, 2024

Reading Time 9 Minutes Reading

E01 files are the file format that is used in digital forensics to create a replica of the digital evidence. Suppose you have a hard drive in which you have crucial information about any crime or incident. You just have to use some forensic tools to create an image of that device. This image is saved in E01 file format. Usually, we create this file for analyzing and investigation purposes but it is also used to create a backup of the original evidence. So by any chance, if you are investigating the file and any uncertainty or accident occurs your original data remains the same.
These files are also used to create a backup of the original evidence and help the investigator retrieve the information that is permanently deleted or corrupted due to some reasons.

More About E01 Files

To investigate the image files via the E01 file viewer, it is necessary to be familiar with the basic structure of the E01 files:

Header

The header of an EnCase file contains the information related to the case. The below-mentioned credentials are required to be mentioned in EnCase at the time of disk imaging:

Investigator’s name
Case description
Description of media from which the evidence is collected
Data and Time of EnCase image creation
Version Of EnCase
The operating system currently in use

CRC

CRC checks for all the errors, if any, present in the E01 file to make sure that no changes have been made to the original data.

Data Blocks

The data chunks of the E01 file are divided into 32 KB blocks and in between these blocks CRC is embedded to check the data consistency.

Footer

The footer of the E01 file contains an MD5 value of the data stored in the file. In case the MD5 value of the image is found to be different from the MD5 value of the file created by another tool, then it becomes clear that the image is being tampered with.

How to view E01 file Data Using the Best Methods

There are several number of different E01 file viewers available, but some of the most popular options include:

1. View E01 File Using SysTools E01 File Viewer–

This software allows you to open and view the E01 files. It also supports a variety of other image formats. This is the best option to view your E01 file data. And if you want to extract the E01 file data to your computer you can choose SysTools E01 Viewer Pro. That means now you can easily save your E01 file to your local device. Not only this you can also preview metadata of PST, OST, and EBD.

Main Characteristics of the Software

Easily Save and Extract a copy of the E01 file data.
Now preview the content of the E01 file in the tool itself.
Preview the metadata of PST, OST, and EBD files.
The software supports more than 20+ languages.
Filter your files according to their extensions.
Search your files according to the Date Modified, Date Created, and Last Accessed.

So many more features are also available in this tool. But always remember to create a backup of the evidence file so if you accidentally damage or delete the file the original file remains the same.

Steps to Use the Professional Tool for E01 File Viewer

Firstly, download and install the software into your system.
Select a file filter option as per your wish, All files or a particular file.
After adding the file you can now easily view the file in the left side of the column.
Click on the required File or Folder to preview the data of that file.
Use the Search Option to search a specific file or a folder. You can search the entire file format at a time and tap on the search icon.
After finding the specific file just right-click on that file you will see an option “Save” Click on the save option to extract that file.
Now choose the destination of that new file that you extracted and click the close button.

2. FTK Imager-

This is also a powerful forensics toolkit that is used to acquire the evidence and then analyze that and create a report of the digital evidence. This software also comes with a built-in E01 file viewer that allows the user to preview the content of the E01 files. The demo version is free but you have to purchase the product if you want to utilize all the features.

Key Features of Using an FTK Imager E01 File Viewer

A Bookmark facility is available to mark important findings and also offers reporting features to create a document on the investigation.
user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for users with limited forensic experience.
Supports a wide range of file systems and storage media, providing flexibility in handling various types of digital evidence.
Allows for the acquisition of encrypted drives, including those using Advanced Encryption Standard.

Steps to Use FTK Imager Tool

Download and launch FTK Imager in your system.
Now go to “File” and then “Add Evidence Item” (or Ctrl+E).
Choose “Image” as the type, browse to your E01 file, and open it.
The E01 file structure will appear in the “Evidence” tree.
Select a file and tap it to preview that file.

Note: You can’t directly view most files, but you can scan for specific types (e.g., emails). For advanced analysis, consider FTK Imager’s paid features or other forensic tools.

3. View the E01 file by Using X-Ways Forensics-

This is another tool that is used in a forensics investigation, purposely for viewing E01 files. For your forensic analysis, X-Ways Forensics has an array of features including data, file, and registry analyses. Although X-Ways Forensics is a commercial package, there is a demo version that one can have without having to pay for it.

Key Features of Using an X-Ways

X-Ways allows users to verify the hash value of the E01 file to verify its authenticity.
Recover deleted files from the E01 image, this software has various techniques like data carving to locate fragments and reconstruct them.
Provides so many ways to preview your data within the E01 file, with hex view, directory tree, and file listing.
Option to create an evidence container from the particular data which is in the E01 file to share with others to maintain the chain of custody.

Read more: To Know More About E01 File.

4. EnCase Forensic-

EnCase Forensics is the generator that generates the E01 files as it’s the program that typically creates them. So viewing an E01 file in EnCase is a very simple process:

Steps to view the E01 file in Encase Forensics

Firstly, Download and launch the EnCase Forensics in your system.
Now tap on the “File” button from the menu bar.
Choose the “Open Evidence File” option from the dropdown list.
In the file selection dialog box, navigate to the location of your E01 file.
Select the E01 file and click on the “Open” button.

Now Encase will automatically load the E01 and display all the contents available on that file. User will now be able to view and explore the file as they use a normal drive on their computer.

Additional functionalities Which EnCase provides for E01 files:

Detailed information is displayed on every individual file within the E01 file.
Advanced search and filter modes are available to look out a file based on different criteria like keywords, dates, and types.
Capable of recovering deleted or corrupted data files from the unallocated space within the E01 image.
Case management system, allows users to organize and analyze the E01 file within the larger forensic investigation.

5. Autopsy-

This is a free and open-source tool. The best alternative is to view and analyze the E01 file.

Steps to view the E01 file in Autopsy

First, download and install the software into your system.
Now click on “New Case” on the home screen.
Provide a name and a path for the case in your system and click “Next”.
Now select “Add Data Source” and choose the disk image from the types of data source.
Navigate and locate your E01 file tap on Open and click Next.
At last click on the Finish and once the process is finish you can now explore the E01 files content.

Additional Features Of Using Autopsy E01 File viewer

Autopsy is configure to perform automatic analysis on E01 files. And extract information like hashing, file carving, web history analysis, registry, and email extraction.
Search the file with its context, and highlight the occurrence of keywords within the file.
Capable of creating ingest modules for specific needs and analysis to handle unique forensic tasks.
Completely free and open-source. A valuable software for anyone who wants to investigate E01 files without the cost of commercial software.

6. Magnet AXIOM-

Magnet AXIOM itself isn’t just a simple E01 file reader. It’s a comprehensive digital forensics software suite design for in-depth analysis of digital evidence. However, Magnet AXIOM does have functionalities to open, process, and analyze E01 files.

Steps to View E01 Files by Using Magnet Axiom

Download and Launch Magnet AXIOM software.
Navigate your E01 file via Go to “File” > “Add Evidence” > “Disk Image” and choose your E01 file.
Now the E01 file will display in the Case Explorer section.
Then double-click on the file name to open and view the file.
You can also use AXIOM’s features for detailed analysis like, keyword search, timeline, and carving.
Finally, Generate reports to make a document on your analysis.

Main features of Using Magnet Axiom Software

Directly acquire the evidence from a physical drive and make an E01 image of that file. You can also import an existing E01 file.
Supports a wide range of file systems like NTFS, HFS+, and Ext. which helps to find the structure of the E01 file.
Designed to handle large and complex investigations. It also offers scalability to manage numerous E01 files.

Conclusion:

In this article, we have discussed the basics of an E01 file and then we have mentioned the methods of how to view an E01 using the best tools. After that, we have listed the most used software to view an E01 file with its steps and unique features. User can choose according to their requirement and choice. All the tools which are mentioned above are the most trending tools.