ISO file: how to open?

The ISO file format has long been familiar to those who actively use computers. It is convenient, easy to use and allows you to store the entire disk structure in one file. However, how to open an ISO file, and what advantages does this format provide? Let’s figure it out! So, an ISO file: how to open it?

ISO image: let’s turn to Wikipedia

According to Wikipedia, an ISO image is an exact copy of data from an optical disc, such as a CD, DVD or Blu-ray, which is saved in a single file with the .iso extension. The main advantage of an ISO image is that it preserves all the data and structure of the original media, including files, folders and metadata. Such a file can be used to burn to a new disc or to open it virtually without having to physically extract the data. ISO images are convenient for distributing operating systems, games, software, data archives, and for backup.

ISO file: how to open it?

Opening an ISO image is not a difficult task, and you don’t need specialized programs for this. Many operating systems, especially Windows 10 and Windows 11, can mount ISO images without installing additional applications. In this case, the file opens as a virtual disk, and the user can work with it in the same way as with any external drive.

But if you work with Windows 7 or want more functionality on MacOS or Linux, additional programs may come in handy. Let’s see what the main operating systems offer and what additional programs are available.

Available and standard methods for opening ISO files

1. Windows 10 and Windows 11
   In new versions of Windows, the process of opening ISO files has become extremely simple. Just right-click on the file and select “Mount”, and the ISO image will be mounted as a virtual disk. You will be able to enter it through “Explorer” and work with files as with a regular disk.
2. MacOS
   On MacOS, you can also open ISO files without third-party programs. Double-click on the ISO image, and it will be mounted in Finder as a disk. From here you can copy, install, and view data without any extra steps.
3. Linux
   On Linux systems provide standard commands for working with ISO images. Use the terminal and the mount command to mount the ISO, then unmount to unmount. The system creates a virtual disk, just like in Windows or MacOS.
4. Additional programs
   If the built-in functions of the operating system do not suit you, you can use specialized software for working with ISO files:
   • WinCDEmu (Windows) is a simple and easy-to-use tool for mounting ISO images.
   • Daemon Tools is a program that allows you to create virtual disks and manage images.
   • 7-Zip (Windows) is an archiving utility that can also extract data from ISO files without mounting.
   • PowerISO and UltraISO are two powerful programs that not only open ISO, but also allow you to edit and create images.

Prospects for using the ISO format

The ISO format continues to be one of the most universal and convenient for storing and distributing data. In the coming years, the format will still be in demand:

• For distributing operating systems: ISO is a standard for storing and distributing OS installation files. Linux distributions and even Windows are distributed in this format, since it is convenient for recording on USB and allows you to save the installation structure.
• For games and software: many games and software collections are released in ISO format, which makes installation and data transfer easier. The user downloads one file, mounts it and can immediately start installing.
• For archives and backup: ISO allows you to save the entire disk file system without loss. That’s why ISO files are ideal for backing up discs with games, movies, or personal data.

The ISO format will save space and make it easier to access data, and with the spread of modern programs and cloud services, the possibilities of this format are becoming even broader.