What are ISO image files and how do I use them?
Many products are posted as ISO-9660 image files. An ISO-9660 image file is an exact representation of a CD or DVD disk, including the content and the logical format. The most common use of an image file is to use it with a software tool and a blank disk to create an identical copy of the original disk including all file and folder names and volume label information. ISO image files may also be opened and their contents copied to a local folder, much like ZIP files. ISO files may also be virtually mounted and accessed as if they were a CD-ROM device, even when you do not have a CD or DVD drive. These three methods of using ISO images are described below.
Create CD or DVD
Simply performing a direct copy of an ISO image file to a disk will not write the directory and file structure needed to use that disk. Most CD-R writing software includes a feature to create a CD or DVD from an image file. Listed below are custom, third-party, and other popular applications:
Active@ ISO Burner - Free
Active@ ISO Burner is a free disk burning program and is available at NTFS.com, allowing you to burn ISO or disk images to a disk. Instructions for how to use the software are included at this site.
CDBURN and DVDBURN Command Line Programs - Free
(NOTE: these tools come w/Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit but WILL WORK with Windows XP Professional and Media edition operating systems. They also MIGHT WORK with Windows XP Home Edition but WILL NOT WORK with Windows 98 and Me editions.)
You can download and unzip a Windows application that provides a graphical user interface (shown below) for using the cdburn or dvdburn tools that come with the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit. Using these tools through this customized application, you can browse and select an ISO image file, select the drive letter for your CD or DVD burner, and click a button to create a disk from the image file.
Or, you can download and install the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit and then use the cdburn or dvdburn command line programs, which are part of that resource kit and also will run on Windows XP Professional and Media Center operating systems. The Resource Kit is a free download but installs a bunch of other utilities that probably cannot be used on XP. Once installed, there will be a Help link in the Start | All Programs menu, which shows how to run the programs from the DOS Command Prompt window.
ISO Recorder - Free/Donate
ISO Recorder is a third-party add-on for Windows operating systems that adds image file writing capability. Right-click an image file and choose Copy Image to CD.
Easy Media Creator - Try/Buy
Available through Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions. Many of the world's largest OEMs such as Dell, HP, and eMachines bundle Roxio software with their digital media hardware. (You might already have it!) From the File menu, choose Create CD from image file. Easy CD Creator assumes the file extension is .CIF so change the "Files of type" selection to .ISO, or enter the full path and filename, or rename the .ISO file to .CIF. For more information about this or other Roxio products, visit www.roxio.com
Nero Burning ROM - Try/Buy
Nero AG develops and distributes digital media solutions for consumers and professionals. In Nero, from the File menu, choose Burn image. For more information please see the Nero Burning ROM support FAQs.
Copy or Mount ISO files
When you do not have the necessary disk-write capabilities with your CD or DVD drive, or no drive at all, then the contents of image files may be accessed directly using third-party tools. Some tools extract the files from an image file to a temporary folder on your hard drive, and then run setup from your hard drive. And at least one tool in the following list makes it easy to simply double-click an ISO file and run the set up program that installs the software. You might not end up with a backup disk using these tools, but then you won't need one if you can backup one of these programs and your ISO files! The following tools offer such image file support.
- Virtual CloneDrive
- Be sure to download and install Virtual CloneDrive (Freeware) and not other tools you might find listed on this web site.
- After installing, literally double-click an ISO file to run setup and install the software packed inside that file!
- IsoBuster
- IsoBuster is able to open ISO files and treat them as regular CD or DVD discs, and a lot more if that's what you're looking for.
- May need to set up File Associations after installation if you want to open an ISO file with a double-click.
- DAEMON Tools
- Download DAEMON Tools Lite (free) for Personal non-Commercial Use.
- After installing, the program runs in the background and appears in the system tray at the right-side of the Task Bar.
- Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel for Windows XP
- Allows image files to be mounted virtually as CD-ROM devices.
- This tool is provided here for your convenience but is no longer supported by Microsoft Product Support Services.
Other Tools
Here is a list of other places to look for Free/Try/Buy software tools you might want to use instead...
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