Currently one of the most popular and popular file formats is ISO. This is because it has wide compatibility, since it can be used in Windows, Linux and macOS. Using this format we can make exact copies of any content that we have stored on a CD, DVD or Blu-ray. If we want to mount and open any type of ISO file on our computer, it is important to know the various alternatives that we can find on the market.
For those who do not know it, mention that an ISO image receives its name because it is capable of making an exact copy of everything it contains, becoming the standard by which it is governed. This type of files, along with others such as NGR, MDF, BIN , etc., have an important advantage, and that is that they are capable of reducing multiple folders, original files, large programs or entire operating systems to a single file. In addition, it allows us to run games and applications without the need to insert a physical medium in the computer.
Windows 10 incorporates by default the ability to open and mount ISO images . The process is quite simple, because we will only have to locate the .iso file and click on it with the right button. The context menu will appear and in it we will find the Mount option. As an alternative, we can choose some of these programs to open, create or mount images that we find in the market and that have the necessary tools to do so.
PowerISO, the most popular for mounting images
It is a powerful tool for CD, DVD and Blu-ray image file processing. With it we can open, record, extract, create, edit, compress, encrypt, divide and convert all types of ISO files. It also has the ability to mount ISO files on an internal virtual drive and the ability to burn ISO images to multiple burners at the same time. And we are talking about a very complete software, capable of opening and extracting any ISO file, as well as creating them from scratch. In addition, it is capable of dividing any file or image into small parts of 1.4 MB, 650 MB or 700 MB, so it will be extremely useful in the event that we have a single file that is too large.
PowerISO is a paid application although we can download a free trial version from its website . Among its limitations, we find that we will not be able to create or edit image files larger than 300 MB. Its purchase price is $ 29.95 .
AnyToISO Converter, extract and convert ISO to any disk image
It is a very simple and free application with which you can extract and convert any disk image to ISO. With this we can create any ISO file from CD, DVD and Blu-Ray, as well as folders and files that are on our hard drive. Furthermore, this program is capable of converting images into multiple popular formats such as BIN, MDF, PDI, CDI, NRG, B5I and IMG. Likewise, we can extract ISO images from any CD, DVD or Blu-Ray and in this way increase its versatility.
AnyToISO Converter is a free application, although somewhat limited, that we can download from this link . In addition, it has a paid Pro version, which has a cost of $ 22.95, and a portable Pro version for use on several computers, with a price of $ 34.95.
Free ISO Burner, burn images to CD, DVD or Blu-ray
This program allows us to open and burn image files in ISO format on CD, DVD, Blu-ray or any other physical system, without the need to mount any virtual drive that emulates physical CDs or DVDs. It is compatible with the Windows operating system in its different versions from XP to Windows 10, both 32-bit and 64-bit. Its main drawbacks are its dated design and limited customization options.
Free ISO Burner is a completely free program for personal and commercial use that we can download from its website.
WinCDEmu, free image mounting software
It is an open source program with which you can mount disk image files in Windows. It works as a CD, DVD and Blu-ray emulator that we can use from the File Explorer. It offers support for an unlimited number of virtual drives, in addition to the possibility of mounting ISO images, as well as other formats such as CUE, NRG, MDS, CCD, IMG among others. This software has a good integration with the system, has a portable edition and even allows you to open several images at the same time. On the contrary, it lacks configuration options.
We can use WinCDEmu completely free of charge just by downloading it from its official website .
ISODisk, open and mount images without burning them to a CD
This small utility allows us to open and mount ISO images without having to burn them to a CD . We can have up to 20 images mounted simultaneously, each with its own letter and which we can access from Windows Explorer itself. In addition, this application has the ability to generate images from a CD or DVD, but not from a Blu-ray, so we can convert our CD / DVD into an ISO file.
ISODisk is completely free software that we can download from this link .
Daemon Tools, create images from optical discs
This popular program allows us to mount all known types of disk image files, being able to emulate up to 4 DT + SCSI + HDD devices. With it we can create images from optical discs and access them through its organized catalog. It is possible to create and mount ISO files, as well as other popular image formats. Its functions include advanced configuration options to create disk images and the possibility of modifying and saving images in MDS, MDX or ISO format.
Daemon Tools has payment conversions called Pro and Ultra that we can buy from 5 euros per month. It also has a Lite version that we can download for free fromhere .
Virtual Clone Drive, to insert and mount images virtually
This application works virtually as if it were a physical CD, DVD or Blu-ray drive, allowing you to insert image files from your hard drive. It supports up to 15 virtual drives at the same time and integrates seamlessly into the Windows Explorer menu. It has support for all the most common image formats like ISO, BIN, IMG, UDF, DVD and CCD. It has a history of recently mounted images, as well as the ability to auto-mount the last image and unmount the image by simply pressing the eject button.
We can download Virtual Clone Drive completely free of charge from its website .
WinZip, open and extract ISO images
If a program like WinZip is known for something, it is for being a compressed file compressor and decompressor. Within its wide range of compatible files we find the possibility of both opening and extracting an extension from ISO files. In addition to being able to open these types of files, we will have one of the most popular tools in the world to perform compression, encryption, packaging, file management and the possibility of making backup copies.
WinZip has a 45-day trial function that we can download from its official website . Your license has a cost of 36.24 euros.
