Almost all newcomers to the “computer” world ask the same popular question: how to open an ISO file? After all, it is in this format that images of games and operating systems are stored. Standard Windows tools do not allow you to open a file with the .iso extension, so you have to resort to third-party programs, including many free utilities.

What is an ISO file?

Essentially, an ISO file is a disk image (CD or DVD) made by some program. This is a kind of archive that stores all the information about the contents of the disk, as well as the files themselves. In fact, you can create any disk image, be it a DVD with a game/movie or a CD with music. But in most cases, games and operating system distributions are stored in images.

Imagine the situation: they brought you a disc with a game. You didn't have a blank disk at hand, so you burned the image to an ISO file. After you purchase a blank disc, the image can be burned onto it using the appropriate programs, and you will receive a complete copy of the original disc.

Ways to open ISO files

Essentially, all methods of opening disk images can be classified into two groups:

  • opening files with archivers,
  • usage special programs for virtualization/disk emulation.

In the first case, the file will actually open. The user will be presented with the disk structure. It is recommended to open images in this way when you need to extract a file from the disk. For example, you need to “pull” drivers from a Windows distribution.

In the second case, the disk image will be emulated as if you had an analogue disk in your drive.

Using archivers

You can open ISO files with two popular archivers – 7Zip and WinRar. It is better to download archiver distributions from offsites:

We install the archiver, find the ISO file we need on the screw and right-click on it. Select “Open with Winrar/7Zip” and that’s it – the image is open. You can open any file from the image and save it to your PC.

Select the Russian version (next to the Russian flag) and download the utility.

When installing the program, do not uncheck the “Install ISO emulator” checkbox.

Once you open Ultra ICO, you will see the following window:

There is a "File" button in the top corner. Click on it and then select “Open”.

We indicate the path to the image and in the program window we see the open ISO file.

If you need to virtualize a disk, then open “My Computer”. You will see a new one virtual drive- this is an ISO emulator. Right-click on it and select “Ultra ISO >> Mount”. We indicate the path to the file - and that’s it. The disk will be successfully mounted.

Working with Daemon Tools Lite

As in the case of Ultra ISO, open the official Daemon website http://www.daemon-tools.cc/rus/downloads and download the utility.

We install the software and in one of the steps indicate the “Free license” item.

After installing the utility, the program icon will appear in the lower right corner (in the tray next to the clock) - a blue circle with a lightning bolt.

Right-click on it and select “Virtual drives >> Add virtual SCSI drive.” In a couple of minutes you will have a new virtual drive, just like in Ultra ISO.

After the drive appears, click on the icon again and select the items: “Virtual drives >> Drive 0 >> Mount image.” We specify the path to the ISO file, and that’s it.

This video describes in detail and interestingly how to mount images:

Undoubtedly, it is better to use Daemon Tools Lite, since this program is free and does not have a trial period. If you need to quickly extract a file from an image, then WinRar will help you.

And work with these materials. Imagine you downloaded a game or movie from the Internet. However, they do not want to open and have an .iso extension instead of the usual games.exe or video.avi format.

Background

The described type of files is also called a virtual disk image. Answer to

the question of how ISO files will work and how to unpack them directly depends on what program you will use to run this extension.
However, the definition should be clarified and note that an .iso is a digital image of an optical disk (it can be a copy of an existing CD/DVD or a man-made image). We have selected several programs for you that will help you figure out how to launch ISO file. Let's look at them in order.

using WinRAR program

Let's start with one of the most simple programs, which are capable of opening ISO files. It's about about everything known We will not dwell on

all the properties of the archiver, we will only consider opening disk images. If you need the archiver solely as a program for opening ISO files, using it will not cause any difficulties. Using the right mouse button, click on the ISO file.
You will see a context menu, find the “Extract” tab in it. This way, the file will automatically be opened through WinRAR, which will prompt you to select a directory to extract the contents of the disk image. All you have to do is wait until the information in the ISO file is transferred to the specified location.

Note that the Windows 7 ISO file can be placed on flash drives if the system needs to be reinstalled. Exists separate category programs for creating multiboot removable media.

Daemon Tools

Daemon Tools is a program for opening ISO files, but not only that. She happens to be

an emulator that creates virtual drives, installing them on a computer, they allow you to open a virtual disk image with .iso resolution. In other words, the application allows the computer to recognize the .iso as a disk located in a CD or DVD drive.

We will not dwell on all the intricacies of Daemon Tools; we will only consider how ISO files are opened using this application. To get started, download and install the program on your computer. Launch the application. In the main window, click on the “Add image” item. Select the ISO file, click the "Open" button.

The image will be placed into the program. Right-click on the icon and select “Mount Image”. Specify the disk image. The ISO file will automatically launch.

ISO files: how to extract images using Ultra ISO

From the name of the application it is clear that it is specifically designed to process

disk images. At the same time, working with the program is quite simple. Let's look at the procedure to play an ISO file in a few steps. Download and install the application on your computer. Launch it. Go to the "File" section and select the "Open" tab, find the required file and specify it.

Once the ISO file is opened, you will see its entire contents on the right side of the program window. And now you can extract these files to your computer, and then easily run them.

Features of the Alkohol 120% program

A well-known program that allows you to work with images. It will help you run or play the contents of ISO files. The application may seem difficult to use for novice users. The program is paid; to use it regularly, you must purchase a licensed version. Let's look at how to use Alkohol 120%.

Download and install the program on your computer. During installation you will be prompted to create a virtual drive. Confirm this action. Restart your computer. After the system boots, you will see a new one among the available drives; it is necessary to open the file.

Select the desired file, right-click on it and click on “Mount image”. After specifying the image, autorun is performed, it will allow you to see the contents of the file.

Power ISO

Power ISO is a small, easy-to-use emulator for running disk images. This is an extended version of the Ultra ISO application, which allows you to play both ISO files and other images with .md2-5, .mdl, .mdf, .bin resolutions.

Free 7-zip archiver

Download the program from the official website. Install it. The application provides two methods to extract the ISO image. The first is gaining access to the entire contents of the image. The second is to use a specific file that is located inside the disk copy. Let's start with the first method.

Right click on your file. In the menu, select “7-zip - unpack”. A dialog box will open in front of you, at the top of which there is a special field. In it, specify the path intended for unpacking the image. Now let's discuss the second method. Launch the 7-zip application. Use the “Service” function, go to “Settings”, and then “System”. Check the box next to “ISO” and save the settings.

Find your image. Double-click on it with the left mouse button. Select the file you need, click "Extract". Further, all actions are similar to those described in the first method.

CDBurnerXP

CDBurnerXP is an excellent solution for beginner users. The application is provided absolutely free of charge and is compatible with the operating system. Windows system 7, handles the format perfectly. The program is very simple to use.

What can Nero do?

Nero is a paid program, but it offers 15 days of free use.

Download the application from the official website. Install it. During installation, always click on “Next” and do not forget to accept the terms. Launch NeroStartSmart and select the NeroImageDrive function.

Allow the first drive, go to the “First drive” item, find the “Open” button - click it, find the file on your computer, click “Open”. Next "OK". The file will be loaded automatically into the virtual drive; it can be opened in “Computer” as a CD/DVD media.

The question of opening certain types of files arises among computer users all the time, since not every extension is supported by a standard set of programs preinstalled in the operating system.

What are ISO files for?

My acquaintance with ISO files began at a time when finding programs on the Internet was a big problem, and low speed and expensive traffic put an end to any attempts at online downloads.

People used the disks and actively copied them from each other. There was one problem with this process - many disks had protection. Games did not play without a disc inserted into the CD or DVD drive, and autorun was required to install programs. In a word, you couldn’t just take and copy files - you needed the disk itself.

During this period, programs appeared that imitated a disk drive, creating its virtual analogue, and the files they worked with received the ISO extension.

An ISO file is a CD image file or DVD disc, containing inside itself in packed form all the data that is present on its physical original (optical disk). In addition to storing a disk image, using files in this format allows you to create an exact digital copy of the original by recording the data onto a blank CD-RW or DVD-RW.

Most often ISO files are used for distribution large assemblies programs, or for versions of large paid products such as Windows, Microsoft Office, Photoshop, games, etc.

Programs that open ISO files

Two types of programs are used to open image files: archivers and disk drive emulators.

1. Archivers

These are programs that work with archive files. The main purpose of archives is to compress information or combine large number different files into one to make it more convenient to transfer it somewhere. These include WinRar, 7Zip and some others.

The structure of the ISO file is identical to other archive formats, therefore, it is supported by the above archivers.

2. CD/DVD drive emulators

The purpose of these programs is not to work with files inside disk images, but to create virtual disks and mount image files (ISO) instead of physical storage media. Emulators are not designed to edit or work with individual files within an image.

How to open an ISO disk image file with WinRar?

In the article “” I already talked about this archiver and its capabilities, so if you decide to get to know it in more detail, go there. We are now interested in how to open an ISO using it.

Since your ISO files do not have the typical WinRar icon in the form of a stack of books, I assume that you do not have an archiver installed or this file type is not included in its settings as a characteristic one.

1. If the archiver is not installed

You need to download it from the official website – win-rar.ru/download/

After running the installation file, you will be asked which files to associate with WinRar. If you want to automatically open ISO files with this program, then check this box.


Now all image files will have a corresponding icon and will be automatically opened by the archiver when double-clicked.


The program allows you to make changes to the contents of the archive - delete, add and edit files.

2. If WinRar is already installed and the ISO does not open

The files are designated as unidentified, which means the files are not associated with the program. In this case, it is possible to manually select WinRar when opening a file or change the program settings so that it understands the ISO by default.

To change the settings, launch the archiver. Press the key combination Ctrl+S or select the “Options” tab in the top menu and “Settings” in it.

In settings we need the last tab under code name“Integration” – this is where the treasured plate with the types of associated files is hidden. Check the ISO box and click OK.


We have found out how to open a file to extract the necessary data from it and make changes, now let’s move on to using it as an image.

How to run an ISO file with Daemon Tools Lite

To work with image files for their intended purpose, you can use not only this program; there are a number of applications that create virtual disks and use ISO images; free versions of each of them are approximately identical in capabilities and user interface.

I’m comfortable using Daemon Tools Lite because it’s officially free (no need to pay, look for pirated versions and various cracks), and, most importantly, I’m used to it.

Program installation

Official website for downloading the application – daemon-tools.cc/rus/products/dtLite

You download the installation file from there, when you launch it you will be asked to install a free version of the program with advertising or pay a small fee to use a clean product.



During the installation process, you may be asked a few more questions (something changes depending on the version of the program). In particular, you can choose which shortcuts to put in the system, whether to allow statistics data to be transferred, and which files to associate with this application automatically.


During installation, you may receive installation prompts software For different types controllers - they are not required, but may be useful.


First start

Your first launch of the program will occur immediately after installation, unless you refuse this action by unchecking the box. When you launch it for the first time, Daemon tools will offer to scan all your hard drives (HDD) to search for suitable files (ISO and other related ones). I recommend removing all unnecessary checkboxes and leaving only ISO.


At the end of the scan, the main interface of the program will open, where the image files that were found during scanning will be located in the central part.

Program interface

At the top right is a search window and “+” for searching and adding new images.

At the bottom are icons of active virtual disks, and on the left is a menu for management (which you can do without).

In order to launch an ISO file with Daemon Tools, you need to select it with the mouse and drag it to the virtual disk in the bottom panel. The image will be instantly mounted into the drive and autorun will occur if it was provided for by this file.

All virtual disks are perceived by the system as normal and are displayed in the “My Computer” list.


You can log into such a disk and browse through the folders, just like with a regular disk.

How to turn on multiple drives at the same time

Daemon Tools can open several ISO files at the same time, mounting images into different virtual disks. This means that it is not necessary to extract one file before installing another - you can run at least all found image files at the same time.

To do this, when selecting the desired image file, do not drag it to the disk in the bottom panel, but click on the “Mount” link in the left menu.

In this case, a new virtual CD/DVD drive will be automatically created and the disk image will be installed into it.

Other useful features

The “Quick Mount” icon allows you to add images to the drive directly through Explorer, even if they are not in the list of found ones.

To extract files and delete virtual disks, you need to right-click on the disk with the desired letter and select “Unmount” or “Delete”, respectively.

The paid version of the program has a lot more functions related not to opening ISO images, but to creating and burning them on physical disks. If you need these functions, you can connect them by paying a certain amount.

We are done for today, I hope that now you will not have problems opening ISO files and launching other types of images.

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Every user may at some point encounter the problem of files with the iso extension. It is not always possible to understand how to open a disk image or how to use it the first time. For this purpose, special programs have been created that allow you to unpack or view such files.

What is an ISO file?

By default, Windows does not indicate how to open an ISO extension, and the user must select the utility independently. Disk images are saved in this format, which can then be recorded or used on a computer. To put it differently, this is an archive that completely collects all data from the media and is its complete copy. You can create it from any CD or DVD media. As a rule, discs with games or operating systems are saved this way.

Often the iso format is used to create a copy of Windows, which can later be written to a disk, flash drive and used for installation on another computer. Many people have a question about how to open iso image. For example, this can be done built-in operating system tools or use conventional archivers.

How to open a disk image

A person may need to open the image in order to pull out one specific file or to use the entire content. There are two ways for these purposes:

  • use archiving programs WInRar or 7Zip;
  • through special utilities with virtual drives.

Opening files with archivers

The easiest way to open a disk image is to use archivers. They are very easy to download and install and are free to use. It is better to download from official sites so as not to introduce viruses along with the installer. The most popular and reliable options for opening archives are WinRar and 7Zip. All modern versions support the Russian language, so it will be easy to navigate the interface.

Both of these utilities provide the same functionality, which is the ability to open an iso and extract the necessary files from it. During installation of the archiver, you must check the box “Integration with the operating system shell.” After this, you can simply right-click on the file. In the menu, select the appropriate item where the name of the utility for archives is indicated. An additional list will offer you a choice of several different actions:

  • open;
  • extract (you can select any folder);
  • extract to current folder.

It should be taken into account that this method allows you to work with the image only in read format; you will not be able to write files to a disk or flash drive through the archiver. This allows you to work with content only on the computer itself. For example, if you need to reinstall the operating system, you won’t be able to burn a flash drive with OS files.

Using special programs

A program for reading disk images offers wider functionality for working with iso. As a rule, to fully use them you need to buy a license, but for working at home, the trial version will be quite enough. On this moment The two most popular utilities are:

  • Deamon Tools;
  • Ultra ISO.

Program for mounting disk image Daemon Tools

One of the options for opening iso is Deamon Tool. You can download it for free use Lite version, it is freely available on the official website of the developers. The essence of the utility is that it creates several virtual drives on your PC into which you can mount iso. Install the program: an icon should appear in the tray that will help you quickly disconnect and connect disk images.

Automatically after installation, one virtual drive will appear, which can be used immediately. For this:

  1. Left-click on the utility icon.
  2. Hover over the drive name. We click on it.
  3. An explorer window will appear, through which you should specify the path to the folder with the iso. Select it.
  4. Go through Explorer to the drive created by the program and perform the necessary actions with the content.

If necessary, you can right-click on the program icon and open the settings and control panel. A more “friendly” and visual version of the utility’s interface can be seen if you launch it in full screen mode from the desktop (or from the folder where you installed it). Additional tooltips will pop up in the menu when you hover over the controls.

Open ISO file with UltraISO

Another option for opening iso is the UltraISO disk image program. Full version must be purchased, but for home use you should always choose to run the trial version after installation. To install you need to go to official page utility and download it, where you can select the required interface language before downloading. Next, the algorithm is as follows:

  1. Run the UltraISO installation, agree with all points. There is no need to check or uncheck any additional boxes.
  2. After installation, you can click on any iso file and select a utility from the list provided. After this, such an extension will open automatically through it.
  3. By double clicking, a window will appear in front of you where the entire contents of the image will be shown.

The main advantage of UltraISO is that you can immediately unpack all the data or start the burning process to disk. To do this, select the icon with a burning disk (“Burn CD image”) in the top menu. If you want to install the game, first mount the iso into a virtual drive or unpack it to any folder on your computer. For this:

  1. in the top menu, click on the “Actions” tab;
  2. select “Extract...”;
  3. indicate the location where to unpack.
Here is another program to open ISO files.

Video: how to open an ISO file

After downloading games or software from the Internet, you noticed iso files. In the material we will look at what an image is, how to open an iso file on Windows 7, 8, 10 using regular tools and third-party programs.

What is an iso image and how to run it

An iso image is a single file that is a virtual copy of a CD/DVD or BD. These files are identified in the OS by the extension ".iso". A lot of software is distributed in the form of an image and these are mostly large software products. Such applications can be OS, games and other installer programs.

These images are used as a replacement for physical disk drives. In addition to folders and files, images contain additional boot information if a program that supports saving such information was used to create it. To run an iso file on a computer, standard OS tools or third-party programs are used. In turn, applications can be divided into special and archivers.

Special software designed to work with the image includes:

  • WinCDEmu;
  • Pismo File Mount Audit Package;
  • DAEMON Tools;
  • IsoBuster;
  • ImgBurn;
  • Ultraiso;
  • Alcohol 120;
  • other.

An Iso file is similar to an archive. Its contents can be opened by the following archivers:

  • 7-Zip;
  • PeaZip;
  • Winrar;
  • WinZip;
  • Other.

Of course, the list can still be continued, but the programs listed are quite enough. There are plenty to choose from. Maybe some software is already familiar to you. Below we will take a closer look, for example, at opening an iso file with special applications and archivers.

Opening an image file using standard Windows tools

Windows 8 and 10 have developed a built-in tool for working with iso. If you are a Windows 7 user, then this method will not work, here you need to install a third-party program. You can open an iso file on Windows 10, 8 in one of the ways that seems more convenient for you:

After you connect the image, a new virtual disk will appear in Explorer. You can open it and perform the intended actions. Don't forget to then close the image file, right-click on the virtual disk and select "eject".

We launch iso through special programs

Let's look at the process of opening an iso file on Windows 7 (also suitable for 8, 10) using the example of convenient, simple and free versions WinCDEmu and Daemon programs tools lite. For WinCDEmu follow these steps:


You've probably heard about Daemon tools. To open an iso file using Daemon tools, do the following:

Opening the image file with archiving programs

The user always has to deal with archives. Archivers also know how to open ISO. Let's consider this process in more detail, using the example of the PeaZip and WinRar archiver programs. Do it the following actions with PeaZip archiver:

Download the program installation files from here. During installation, set the language to Russian.

We also recommend that you check the iso box during the installation process to associate this type with PeaZip.

To open an iso file on Windows via PeaZip, double-click on the image and process it. We also advise you to extract the contents of the image by clicking on the “extract” button, specifying the path and clicking OK.

Of course, the WinRar archiver is worth attention. Follow these steps:

Download the Russian version from this site. Next, during the installation process, in the program settings, check the iso box to associate files of this type with WinRar.

Double click on the image to open it. For convenient work with the image, we recommend extracting it by clicking the “extract” button and specifying the required path to unpack the iso archive.

Using these methods, you can open an iso file on Windows 7, 8, 10. If you are the owner of a seven, then you cannot do without installing third-party software. Eight and dozen users can launch images using their own means, but installing additional utilities (for example, WinCDEmu) can add convenience to use. While using your PC, you will have to deal with archives, so you cannot avoid installing an archiver, which will also additionally help you open ISO images on your PC. Make your choice based on your preferences.