In his latest tutorial, Doktor64 walks viewers through how to create D64 images on a Windows PC and transfer them to real Commodore 64 floppy disks. Whether you’re building your own game collection or rescuing classics from digital limbo, this step-by-step guide makes the entire process straightforward—and dare we say, pretty fun.
From assembling a custom D64 image with tools like V1541 Commander and DiskImagery64, to transferring it to an SD2IEC and finally burning it onto a real 1541 floppy, this video covers it all. Doktor64 even throws in a quick C64 BASIC format session (because why not go full retro?), and a practical dive into DraCopy to clone disks or cherry-pick specific files.
Tools You’ll Learn to Use
- V1541 Commander: Intuitive GUI for managing D64 files
- DiskImagery64: Alternative tool for disk image handling
- DraCopy v1.0d: A fast, flexible file and disk copy program on the C64
What the Video Covers
- Creating a blank D64 disk image
- Copying files from existing images into your custom image
- Mounting and playing D64s using SD2IEC
- Copying entire disk images or individual files to real floppies
- Formatting floppies with old-school BASIC commands
- Using DraCopy to clone disks or do multi-file transfers
Whether you’re organizing your library or prepping physical disks for a real hardware experience, the tutorial shows how to create D64 images and move them around with ease.
Bonus Content
Doktor64 even includes gameplay tests and pro tips for working with PAL games, along with shout-outs to related tools and a previous video on DIY power supplies. There’s also a nod to Jan Beta’s excellent coverage of similar workflows.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wanted to bridge the gap between modern tools and vintage hardware, this guide is for you. Doktor64’s relaxed yet informative style makes the process approachable for beginners and efficient for veterans. And let’s be honest—there’s something deeply satisfying about spinning up a game from a disk you assembled.
