ISO images are a popular way to store and access your computer’s operating system files. You can create an ISO image of your computer’s operating system using the Windows 7, 8, and 10 operating systems. To mount an ISO image in Windows 7, 8, and 10, you first need to create a new folder on your hard drive. Then, you need to extract the contents of the ISO image into that folder. In Windows 7 and 8, you can use the “Mount” command to mount an ISO image. In Windows 10, you can use the “Create ISO” command to mount an ISO image. When you use the “Mount” command to mount an ISO image in Windows 7 or 8, you’ll be asked for a path to where the ISO file will be stored. You can either provide a path or click on “Create button.” In Windows 10, you’ll only be asked for a path if the iso is being used as a bootable disk.
Windows finally offers a built-in way to mount ISO disc image files on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows 8. If you’re using Windows 7, you’ll need a third-party tool.
Mounting an ISO Image in Windows 8, 8.1, or 10
On Windows 8 and 10, Windows has the built-in ability to mount both ISO disc image and VHD virtual hard drive image files. You have three options. You can:
Double-click an ISO file to mount it. This won’t work if you have ISO files associated with another program on your system. Right-click an ISO file and select the “Mount” option. Select the file in File Explorer and and click the “Mount” button under the “Disk Image Tools” tab on the ribbon.
Once you’ve mounted the disc image, you’ll see it appear as a new drive under This PC. Right-click the drive and select “Eject” to unmount the ISO file when you’re done.
Mounting an ISO Image in Windows 7 or Vista
On older versions of Windows, you’ll need a third-party application to mount ISO image files. We like WinCDEmu, a simple and open-source disc mounting program. It supports ISO files and other disc image formats.
WinCDEmu is even useful on Windows 8 and 10, where it will allow you to mount the BIN/CUE, NRG, MDS/MDF, CCD, and IMG image files that Windows still doesn’t offer built-in support for.
Install WinCDEmu and give it permission to install the hardware driver it requires. After you do, just double-click a disc image file to mount it. You can also right-click a disc image file and click “Select drive letter & mount” in the context menu.
You’ll see a simple interface for choosing the drive letter and other basic options. Click “OK” and the mounted image will appear under Computer. To unmount the disc image when you’re done, right-click the virtual disc drive and select “Eject”.
