Summary: Iso files are a common disk image distribution format. We'll look at the best ways to open iso files as well as a couple of ways to create them.
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I have a disc which contains some information. I want to open it but I apparently don't have the right program installed on my computer. The file type is ".iso". How can I open it? |
An "iso" file is just a disk image.
There are two ways to deal with a disk image: put it on a disk, or make it look like you put it on a disk.
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The easiest way to think of an iso file is more like a "zip" or "cab" file, only without the compression.
An iso file contains the image of a disk. That means it contains all the files and folders that were on that disk, much like a zip or cab file contains a collection of files and folders. The real difference is that an iso is a byte-for-byte copy of the low-level data actually stored on a disk.
There's nothing about the iso format that actually knows about files, folders or formats. It's just the raw data from the disk. Now, naturally that raw data, if interpreted correctly, may know about files, folders and format. But, like a disk, the operating system has to look, see what format was used (things like FAT32, NTFS and the like), and interpret the contents of the iso file as if it were reading the raw data from an actual disk.
There are a few ways to deal with iso files.
Burn the iso file to a disk.
Iso files are frequently used to distribute CD or DVD images. For example if you download a popular Linux distribution what you'll most likely download is actually an iso file. Using a CD or DVD burning program like ImgBurn you can then write that iso disk image to an actual disk. When you examine the completed disk you'll see all the files and folders that were contained in the image. In the case of the Linux distribution, you'll probably even be able to boot from the CD you just created.
Mount the iso file as if it were a disk.
There are several utilities out there that will mount an iso file as if it were a disk drive, though often only for reading. I've not used any enough to recommend, or even mention names, so perhaps readers will chime in with utilities that they've used.
Treat the iso file as if it were an archive.
Recall how I indicated that iso files are much like zip or cab files? As it turns out, some of the popular archiving utilities, including WinRAR and my personal favorite 7 Zip can also read and extract the contents of iso files.
All you need to do is use those tools' view or extraction functions on the iso file to examine its contents or extract some or all of the files you need.
Creating iso files
Creating iso files of CDs or other disks you own is a convenient way to backup, archive or (if legal) share them. And it's actually quite easy to do.
Most CD/DVD burning software includes the ability to rip or create an iso image. ImgBurn, in particular, is perhaps one of the easiest tools to use for this purpose. Just insert your CD, tell ImgBurn where to place and what to name the iso file, and push a button.
ImgBurn can also be used to create an iso image from files you specify, much as if you were actually burning files to CD or DVD. After collecting the files that you want to place in the image, you can instruct ImgBurn to create an iso file instead of burning to disk.
Related:
How do I burn something to CD? Burning files to CD is a great way to back up or to easily transfer files elsewhere. There are several burning options including Windows itself.
Audio CDs - what format should I use to burn my Audio CDs? Audio CDs are different from data CDs. Typically your burning software needs to know how to create audio CDs, and you need to explicitly tell it to do so.
Article C3228 - December 5, 2007
Well I have had trouble with the ISO files too...i have used IMGburn and clicked on "write mode" but in this case i downloaded a game file WITH the ISO image file in it and there was also this other file called the "disc image file" do i burn them together? or burn the ISO file or the disk image file?
Posted by: Victor at March 4, 2009 4:41 AMHi, i have downloaded this game from web and the problem is that there is no way that i could burn that game into a disc as the memory of that game is like almost 7GB and i exracted this game to a folder i installed the game on my computer, but it asks for the cd, how do i change the game acess my folder as it is acessing drive.
Posted by: jack at March 15, 2009 5:53 AMlet me know.. better tool for opening the ISO files.
Posted by: Arpit Srivastava at March 31, 2009 4:19 AMSimilar to Jack's issue, I have an ISO file that is almost 7GB in size. Thanks to this thread, I now understand that I need to burn the ISO with specific software. Before I get to that step, however, I need to figure out what I can burn the ISO file *onto*. I have a DVD here but it's only 4.7GB in size. Any suggestions are welcome!
Posted by: jennifer at April 6, 2009 10:01 AMHi guys,
Posted by: Stefana at April 11, 2009 1:16 PMI have an iso file also and I managed to open it with Undisker...a piece of software that I found on google search.
See if that helps
Hey Guys,
There is a software Named PowerIso or MagicISo
All Of You Can Open .ISO files , .Bin and ...
There
Thanks
Posted by: The Promis at April 13, 2009 5:50 AMPromis
i just downloaded a software program to help with my uni study. its a human anatomy and physiology cd. its one big iso file and ive managed to unzip its contents but how do i burn it to disc as though it was just bought off the shelf?? do i put all the files that were unzipped on the disc or is there something else i need to do?
Posted by: Richard at May 7, 2009 12:49 AMI have DVd's with video images - I'm trying to import them so I can edit them. Windows Movie Maker doesn't recognize them so I downloaded them onto my computer - still no luck. They saved as ISO files. Now what? They play just fine in Windows Media Player.
Posted by: Phyllis Dwyer at May 19, 2009 4:00 PMI had to format my PC, before that my ISO files appeared like ABCDEF.ISO; right now after the format they appear as a RAR file so my questions here how do I do to put the things the way they were? and sorry my ignorance about it; is this a real problem?.
Posted by: Julian at May 27, 2009 11:14 AMI appreciate your help. Thanks
i have a psp and i have been trying to put games on it. but i think i need an iso file. how can i get an iso file without makeing a cd? do i have to put it on a cd? i dont want to put it on a cd.
Posted by: james at June 16, 2009 2:38 PM