How to open iso file on windows
How To Make & Run An ISO File On Windows
Plus what it does and why you should care
What is an ISO file? What does it do, and why should you care about it?
What Is An ISO File?
As CD & DVD players on hard-drives are gradually phased out in favour of cloud-based downloadable files, ISO files will only become more useful and practical in the future with all those old installation disks you will have lying around in the office. Plus, disks fail all the time, so ISO is a great backup solution.
When you run an installation disk for a piece of software, such as Photoshop (for example), there is a set folder structure with each particular file and folder in a certain place. If you move a file or folder to another place in the structure, the whole thing falls apart because the installer doesn’t know where those files are now located.
An ISO file is an exact duplication of the files and folder structure on an installation disk with the benefit being that the actual physical disk is no longer needed. So you can make disk backups to the cloud as ISO files, and anytime you want to install that piece of software, there is no need to hunt out the disk. Just double-click the ISO file.
You can burn that ISO disk to another disk, move it to a USB stick, email it, or leave it in cloud storage, just like any other regular file. Since many installation disks can run to several gigabytes of file space though, email or cloud storage may prove a challenge unless you can compress the file some more.
How To Create An ISO File
Creating an ISO file is not a difficult process at all. In fact, there are many freeware options out there for doing this. Since I like my solutions to be as free and simple as possible, I have always gone with ISO Creator. It always works a treat.
And to show you how easy it is to make an ISO backup, I have pulled out my very old and very dusty disk copy of Photoshop Elements. I’ll now take you through the process of turning it into an ISO file and then running it.
First, install ISO Creator doing the usual “Next–>Next–>Next…:”
When the program has been installed, start it up and then put the disk you want to make an ISO backup of into your hard-drive.
In the ISO Creator window, you need to configure the following :
Now click “Start” to begin the conversion process.
The process was finished after only a few minutes.
How To Open & Run An ISO File
Now that you have your ISO file, you obviously need to know how to open it and run it if need be.
For that, you can turn to the freeware Virtual Clone Drive.
Not only does it do the job extremely well but that crazy-looking sheep icon in Windows Explorer is just great. I know, I am easily pleased.
So how does it work? Well if you run a disk, you obviously need a disk reader on your computer to read the data. With Virtual CloneDrive, it makes a temporary virtual drive attached to one of your drive letters (in my case, the “F” drive) and simulates running the disk by opening the ISO file.
After installing Virtual CloneDrive, go to your ISO file, right-click on it and choose “Open With..”. Now select “Mount Files with Virtual CloneDrive”.
If you plan to work with lots of ISO files from now on, you can set Windows to automatically associate ISO files with Virtual CloneDrive to save you a couple of clicks in the future.
When you’ve chosen Virtual CloneDrive as the program to open the ISO file, go to the drive letter now associated with VCD. You will now see your ISO file with the folder and file structure identical to the disk. You can now go ahead and install the program using the setup.exe file.
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How to mount ISO images on Windows 10
Source: Windows Central
An ISO image is a container format designed to store the contents of a physical disk (CD, DVD, or Blu-ray). Software companies usually use this file format as a medium to distribute the applications and tools without the need to ship physical media, which can be costly and time-consuming. For example, Microsoft uses this format to distribute previews of Windows 10 to testers and many other products.
Although you can find a lot of tools to work with images, Windows 10 includes the ability to mount and mount ISO files natively without the need for extra software.
In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to mount and unmount the ISO images using File Explorer as well as PowerShell commands.
How to mount ISO image with File Explorer
On Windows 10, you can access the content of an image in at least three different ways using File explorer. You can double-click the file, you can use the content menu option, or the option available in the ribbon menu.
Mount image with double-click
To quickly mount an ISO file on Windows 10, use these steps:
Double-click the .iso file file to mount it.
Source: Windows Central
Once you complete these steps, the ISO file will open like any other folder, allowing you to access and extract the contents as necessary.
Mount image from context menu
To mount an ISO image with the File Explorer context menu, use these steps:
Right-click the .iso file and select the Mount option.
Source: Windows Central
Once you complete the steps, you can access the contents of the image by selecting the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.
Mount image from ribbon menu
To mount an image with the ribbon menu, use these steps:
Click the Mount button.
Source: Windows Central
Unmount image
Once you are no longer using the image, you can quickly unmount the file by right-clicking the virtual drive under This PC in File Explorer and selecting the Eject option.
Right-click the virtual drive and select the Eject option.
Source: Windows Central
After you complete these steps, the image will no longer be accessible until you mount it again.
How to mount ISO image with PowerShell
It’s also possible to mount and unmount an image using commands with PowerShell.
Mount ISO image command
To mount an ISO image using a PowerShell command, use these steps:
Type the following command to mount an ISO image and press Enter:
For example, this command mounts an image in the «E:\» virtual drive:
Source: Windows Central
Once you complete the steps, the ISO image will mount, and you will be able to access the contents to install the application or extract the image contents from the newly-available drive letter.
Unmount ISO image command
To unmount an image with PowerShell, use these steps:
Type the following command to mount an ISO image and press Enter:
For example, this command removes the mount for an image in the «E:\» virtual drive:
Source: Windows Central
After you complete the steps, the virtual drive will be removed, and the image will no longer be accessible until you mount it again.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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How to Open and Run ISO File on Windows 10/7/8
ISO image files are basically used for making Windows operating system disks as well as extracting gaming files, applications, software and other information from a single source. Usually, people compress all the required data in one single file so that it can be burned in a CD/DVD or USB flash drive to run the installer directly from the portable device.
Now you must be wondering that you can simply copy paste the ISO image file from your computer to flash drive or DVD like you do with multimedia files and it will run perfectly. But that’s not the truth at all. In fact, you will be required to properly burn the ISO image file to your portable device to extract the data and run the installer correctly or else any data contained inside the ISO image file will simply won’t work. So, in this guide we will show you couple ways to run ISO image files on Windows operating systems.
Method #1: Run and Open ISO Files on Windows 10/8/7
ISO to USB is a free and open source tool available on the official website that helps to burn ISO image files into pen drives and CD/DVDs. It is extremely liter in size and can get the job done easily. It is a plug and play tool that doesn’t required to be installed at all. Here’s a step by step tutorial to show how to use this tool to burn ISO image files and run them properly on Windows computers.
Step 1. Go to the ISO to USB tool page and download the executable file on your PC.
Step 2. Like we mentioned, you don’t have to install it, just double click on the downloaded file and it will run automatically.
Step 3. Plug in a flash drive or CD/DVD in your PC and wait for the tool to detect it automatically.
Step 4. Click on «Browse» from the ISO file section and select the ISO image file from the local drive of your computer.
Step 5. Leave all the default settings as it is if you have no knowledge about them and simply click on «Burn» and let the program do the rest.
Step 6. Once the ISO file is successfully burnt into your portable device, you can open the flash drive to see the extracted files.
Cons:
Method #2: Open ISO File on Windows 10 using WizISO
Step 1. Firstly, install the program on your Windows computer in 2 minutes and open it to see the attractive UI.
Step 2. Select the «Burn» option open the ISO burnning interface. Click on «Browse» and the program will detect ISO image files automatically from your PC. and Insert the CD/DVD or USB flash drive to PC and the program will recognize the device automatically.
Step 3. Choose the partition style and format then click on «Burn». Wait for few moments and voila! The ISO image file is successfully burnt. You can simply run the program and it will work perfectly now.
There are many ways to burn and run ISO image files on Windows 10/87 but we have listed the 2 most favorite ways to accomplish the task effortlessly. WizBurn is a classic and innovative tool that most Windows users loves due to its efficiency and simplicity. You can go ahead and download the tool today as it is free to try.
Vicky is a professional Windows technology author with many experience, focusing on computer technology. She’s very much enjoy helping people find solutions to their problems. Her knowledge and passion always drive her to discover everything about technology.
Open ISO Files in Windows 10/7/XP with ISO Viewer
By Petty Madison | Last Updated: Sep. 10, 2018
ISO file can be extremely useful when you need to install an operating system or even a software utility. Essentially, an ISO file is a copy of all the content from a DVD/CD/BD in archived format. The files inside can be anything: media files like music and videos, installation files and so on. The image file itself is uncompressed, and the structure it uses to store the data will be based on the file system that was on the disk that contained the original data.
The problem with ISO files is that you can’t view the contents or even open the file without special utilities or native support. In Windows, native support for ISO files only came with Windows 8, which means older versions like Windows 7 require tools to be able to do this. In Windows 10 there is native support, but you also have other utilities that allow you to view the contents of an ISO file without having to burn it to a disk or drive.
The easiest way to view the files of an ISO file on Windows 10 is to use its virtual drive mounting capability. This feature allows you to mount the ISO file on a virtual drive rather than a physical drive or a disk. The advantage is that you don’t have to burn the file to a disk to see the content, so no diskc would be wasted for this purpose.
However, there are often problems with mounting the file on Windows 10. It could show an error if the ISO image wasn’t created properly in the first place. If you’re facing such an issue, then a third-party application may be required to see inside the ISO file.
Method 1: How to Quickly Open ISO Image with ISO Editor
Opening ISO file on Windows 10 is not a rocket science. Actually, there are many free and paid applications that can complete this task. However, some of them are extremely hard to use and have compatibility issues with latest Windows 10 update. So in here, we will go with the one that has works well on all versions of Windows 10.
UUByte ISO Editor is a cross-platform ISO toolkits that has several core functions to deal with ISO image files. It can open any ISO image files in a quick way on both Windows PC and Mac.
Why Choose UUByte ISO Editor
Step 1: Get Prepared
Please install UUByte ISO editor on your Windows 10 PC where the ISO image file sits. There is an installtion wizard that comes with the program. Just follow the prompt and install it on your computer.
Step 2: Load ISO Image
Open UUByte ISO Editor from desktop shortcut and click «Extract» tab on the welcome screen. Now, click the «Load ISO» button from upper right corner and you will be asked to import the ISO file into the program.
Step 3: Open ISO File Directly
Now, check the little squre bot at the left side of File Name field. This action will select all the files and folders compressed in ISO image. Then click «Extract» button to save all the content into local folder. Wait a few seconds and the ISO file is opened.
This is one of the best ways to open ISO image file on Windows 10 computer. It is fast and powerful! Most importantly, it comes with an easy-to-understand user interface. No hassle at all when using this great application.
Method 2: Open ISO File with Pismo File Mount Audit Package
Pismo File Mount Audit Package is a favorite of many developers because it is non-invasive and easy to use. It is also free. The utility is called PFMAP for short, and allows you to mount ISO images quickly, extract the files and then unmount them. It does this by converting the ISO file into a file folder that you can double-click to open and view. Let’s see how PFMAP works:
Step 1 : Download the PFMAP software on your Windows 10 PC and install it.
Step 2: Once the installation is done, you can simply right-click on the ISO file in File Explorer and click on «Mount». You’ll notice that the ISO icon for the file is now replaced with another, meaning that it is now a file folder. Double-click on this and the file will open, showing you the contents of the ISO file.
Step 3: If you don’t need to copy or extract anything, simply right-click on the main file folder and select «Unmount» to change it back into the ISO format.
Method 3: How to View ISO Image in Windows via WinRAR
WinRAR is essentially a paid utility, but there’s a long trial period before you need to pay anything. In certain countries like China there’s also a fully free edition available. It’s basically an archiving tool for compressing files, but it allows you to view the contents of an ISO file so you can copy or extract it.
Step 1 : Download and install WinRAR on your Windows 10 PC.
Step 2: Navigate to the file and right-click on it, then «Open with…» and select «WinRAR».
Step 3: You should now be able to see the contents of the image file in the form of subfolders and files. Just close the WinRAR application when you’re done.
As mentioned, there are certain issues you may come across while using WinRAR. The problem is generally seen when the files in the ISO image are corrupted, but it can also be because of the software application itself. If WinRAR doesn’t work for you, then try the method described below.
Method 4: Unzip ISO File on Windows 10/7/XP with 7-Zip
7-Zip is an open source archiving and file compression software utility that has gained tremendous popularity among Windows users. There’s also a modified version called Easy 7-Zip that has the same features but is easier to use. You can use either of them to view the contents of an ISO file.
Step 1: Download 7-Zip or Easy 7-Zip on your Windows 10 PC and install the application.
Step 2: Launch the program, after which you will see a navigation windows similar to Windows Explorer.
Step 3: Find the ISO file that you want to view, right-click on it, go to 7-Zip and then click on вЂOpen archive’. This will open the ISO file and you will be able to see the folders and files inside.
There are also other things you can do with Easy 7-Zip, such as delete archive files after extraction, have the software open the output location and even close the program automatically once the extraction is complete.
Bonus: How to Open ISO Files on Mac Computer
Disk Utility is extremely useful for Mac users because it lets you view the contents of ISO files without having to burn them on a CD first. It works by creating a disk image of the ISO file that you can open and view like it was on a CD or DVD. The process is simple, but the files need to be extracted to the disk image. Here’s how that happens:
Step 1: Go to «Applications» in the Mac Finder and select «Utilities». Double-click on «Disk Utility». You can also get there by clicking on the «Go» menu in Finder and then clicking on Disk Utility from there.
Step 2: Once it’s open, go to the File menu and look for the Open Disk Image option that you see there.
Step 3: This will open a navigation window where you need to find the ISO file and select it. Then click on вЂOpen’ on the bottom right hand corner of this window.
This will extract the contents of the ISO file and copy it to a disk image on your desktop. Go to your desktop, double-click the disk image and you’ll see all the contents of the ISO image there.
Conclusion:
You can try using 7-Zip for Mac if the Disk Utility method doesn’t work for you. There are also several alternatives to this software, such as The Unarchiver, WinZip for Mac, Zipeg and so on. All of these are for the macOS environment and their usage is very similar to how it works on Windows, although you may see significant UI differences.
Petty is editor in chief at UUByte and writes various topics about Windows and Mac to help people make the most of current technology.
How To Open Iso Files On Windows 10?
Mounting an ISO Image in Windows 8, 8.1 or 10
How do I open an ISO file?
How to open ISO files
How do I open an ISO file without burning it?
How to Open an ISO File without Burning It
How do I open MDS files in Windows 10?
Where is my Windows 10 ISO file?
Create an ISO file for Windows 10
How do I extract an ISO file in Windows 10?
How do I open ISO files on Windows?
Usage 1
How do I open an ISO file in Windows 10 without burning it?
Mounting an ISO Image in Windows 8, 8.1 or 10
What does mounting an ISO do?
An ISO image is simply a “virtual copy” of an optical CD/DVD disc. To mount an ISO file means to access its contents as if it was recorded on a physical medium and then inserted in the optical drive.
How to Mount ISO and IMG Files in Windows 10
How do I direct download Windows 10 ISO?
How to download the Windows 10 ISO file
How do I download Windows 10 ISO to USB?
Just insert a USB flash drive with at least 4GB of storage to your computer, and then use these steps:
What is an ISO file for Windows 10?
You can use this page to download a disc image (ISO file) that can be used to install or reinstall Windows 10. The image can also be used to create installation media using a USB flash drive or DVD. Make sure you have: An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
How do I unmount an ISO file in Windows 10?
Once you’re done working with a mounted ISO file, you’ll want to unmount it. To do this, open File Explorer and go to the This PC section. Select the drive where you mounted the ISO file and click or tap the Manage tab on the ribbon. Then, click or tap Eject.
How do I extract ISO files with 7zip?
Right click on the ISO image you want to extract and select 7-Zip –> Open archive.
How do I install Windows 10 from an ISO file?
If you wish to clean install Windows 10 on your computer, burn the Windows 10 ISO using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to create an Installation media. Make sure your BIOS settings allow you to boot from a USB. Plug in the USB and restart your PC.
How do I convert a disk image to a normal file?
Convert Image File to ISO
Download a file extraction program such as WinRar or 7-Zip, and follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Navigate to the folder that contains the IMG file you want to open, and then right-click on its icon. A menu will appear. Select “Open with (name of file extraction software).”
How do I create an ISO file from a CD?
Click “Copy” button on toolbar, then choose “Make CD / DVD / BD Image File” from the popup menu.
Can I install directly from an ISO file?
ISO is not a file format that Windows can open natively. An ISO file is an image of a CD/DVD. Typically you would be able to use a burning program like Nero, or ImgBurn, to then burn that ISO file directly to a disk.
How do I install Microsoft Office from a disc image file?
To do this, insert a blank CD or DVD in your PC’s disc drive. Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer. Right-click on the ISO file. From the pop-up menu, click on the command to “Burn disc image.”
How do I make a backup copy of Windows 10?
How to Take a Full Backup of Windows 10 on an External Hard Drive
Will installing Windows 10 Remove everything USB?
If you have a custom-build computer and need to clean install Windows 10 on it, you can follow solution 2 to install Windows 10 via USB drive creation method. And you can directly choose to boot the PC from the USB drive and then the installation process will start.
How do I get Windows 10 for education?
Downloading Windows 10 Education for Students
How do I make a Windows 10 ISO bootable?
Can WinRAR open IMG files?
7-Zip is freeware while WinRAR and WinZIP are commercial software. Right-click on the IMG file. For example, click the “7-Zip” option to open the IMG file in 7-Zip. Click the “Extract Files” option from the submenu.
How do I open a system image?
Open the ext2explore.exe file that you extracted in Step 1 above. Go to File » Open Image » and select the system.ext4 file that we saved in Step 6 above. Now click on the file you just opened in Ext2explore (system.ext4) and click on Save button. Select the folder where you want to save the unpacked files.