An ISO image is used to create a complete and perfect copy of all of the data on an optical storage disk, such as a CD, DVD, or Blu-Ray, including the formatting of the disc. Though it does take special software, you can make ISO images using most any optical disc and use the files on your computer or another device when the physical disc is not available. You can also use special utility software to create another disc (CD, DVD, or Blu-ray) that is an exact replica of the original. ISO files can be identified by their file extension, which is .iso.
ISO for Backups and File Transfers
ISO files are incredibly useful in creating backup copies as well as for transferring large programs and files across the Internet. ISOs can also be used to share the content of your optical discs with others or to transfer these to your other devices.
One of the software utilities that you can use to create, burn, and mount ISO image files is Daemon Tools Lite. This utility is completely free.
How to Create an ISO Image Using Daemon Tools Lite
To create an ISO image using Daemon Tools Lite, launch the program and click on the option “Disc Imaging”, which is located in the main window of the utility. Next, select the drive where you placed the optical disc that you wish to use to create the ISO file. Find the “Destination Image File” option, and select the path and name for the image. Make sure you are using the file extension .iso. Now, click on “Start”, and the utility will begin making your ISO image file.
How to Mount an ISO Image Using Daemon Tools Lite
Usually, Windows recognizes a disk that is inserted to the optical drive on the PC, but when you want Windows to mount an ISO image that is stored on your computer, you will need to make a virtual drive and mount the ISO image there. Daemon Tools Lite does this for you.
Open the Daemon Tools Lite utility. From the main window, right-click on a virtual drive (which are located in the bottom panel). Choose the option “Mount”, which is in the Context Menu. Then select the ISO image you wish to have mounted. The ISO image you choose will appear in the window as a virtual disc that is loaded into a virtual drive. You can work with the ISO file here, just as you would if the content were stored on a CD or DVD.
What to Know When Using ISO Creation and Mounting Utilities
When you are using software utilities like Daemon Tools Lite, be aware that some of these try to save ISO files in different formats,; in other words, formats that do not end with the file extension .iso and may not be compatible with Daemon Tools Lite.
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