ISO Files

What are ISO image files and how do I use them?

Many products are posted as ISO-9660 image files. An ISO-9660 image file is an exact representation of a CD, including the content and the logical format. The most common use of an image file is to write it to a blank CD-R resulting in an identical copy of the original CD including file name and volume label information. ISO image files may also be opened and their contents copied to a local folder, much like ZIP files. ISO files may also be virtually mounted and accessed as a CD-ROM device. These three methods of using ISO images are described below.

Writing ISO files to CD-R
Most CD-R writing software includes a feature to create a CD from an image file. Below are instructions for some popular applications:

Roxio Easy CD Creator

• From the File menu, choose Create CD from image file. Roxio Easy CD Creator assumes the file extension is .CIF so enter the full path and filename, or rename the .ISO file to .CIF.

ISO Recorder

ISO Recorder is a third-party add-on for Windows XP that adds image file writing capability:

• Right-click an image file and choose Copy Image to CD. Note: the filename must end with .ISO.
  
  

Nero Burning ROM

• In Nero, from the File menu, choose Burn image. For more information please see the
  Nero Burning ROM support FAQs.

After a CD-R has been written, you can use the CRC tool to verify that the CD-R was correctly written.

1. The CRC305.exe tool can be downloaded from MSDN Subscriber Downloads in the
   Tools, SDKs, DDKs folder.


2. From a command prompt, run CRC305 filename (where filename is the image file name.)


3. Run CRC305 x: (where x is the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive containing the CD-R). The CRC values should match.
   

Copying the contents of ISO files
The contents of image files may be accessed directly using third-party tools. Using this method you can extract the files from an image file to a temporary folder on your hard drive, then run setup. The following tools offer such image file support:

• IsoBuster
  
• CDmage
  
• Daemon Tools
  

The products listed above have been known to work. Other products that can manipulate ISO files may work, but have not been tested.


Mounting ISO files virtually
The following tool for Windows XP allows image files to be mounted virtually as CD-ROM devices. This tool is provided here for your convenience, and is unsupported by Microsoft Product Support Services.

• Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel for Windows XP