How To Mount ISO Files On Windows 7

Not every piece of software that works on Windows XP or Vista will work on Windows 7. Mounting ISO files can be particularly difficult if you’ve been using Daemon Tools to do it so far.

Until Daemon Tools shows up with a version that will work on Windows 7, you can use PowerISO to mount ISO, nrg, mdf and a few other types of image files. PowerISO is freeware so there shouldn’t be any problem. Its only limitations is the screen that asks you to register it and a limit of 300Mb when creating or editing files. Mounting files doesn’t come with limitations however.

Update: there is now a Daemon Tools version that works on Windows 7.
poweriso

Mount ISO Windows 7 with Virtual CloneDrive

Now, while Daemon Tools or PowerISO is a decent choice if you want to mount ISO files on Windows 7, they’re not the only options. Instead of going with the old favorites, you might want to try something new. If that’s the case, I’ll suggest using Virtual CloneDrive.

Mount ISO on Windows 7 with Virtual CloneDrive

In order to use this software, download it from their site first. Once you get past the installation process, you will be able to use the mount ISO option without any other delays. There is no restart required on Windows 7 for this utility to work, like there is for other ISO mounting programs.

All you will have to do is double click on a ISO file and it will be mounted and ready to use. An alternative would be to right-click on the file, go to the “Open with” menu and select the option to mount the file.

Mount ISO Windows 8 Is Now a Native Option

If you want to mount ISO on Windows 8, it’s a much easier task to do in this version of the Microsoft operating system, than it was in the past. You had to install a software to do that previously, but with this version the ISO mounting is done by Windows itself. It can do that from the get go, without any special setup. All you have to do is select the mount ISO on Windows 8 option and you will have access to the files on the image immediately. Here’s how you can do that.

First of all, go to the directory where you have your ISO file. Once you’re there, right click on the file you want to mount, and then select Mount. That’s about it. The ISO is mounted on Windows 8 so you have access to its files.

Another way to do it, is by double clicking on the ISO file, which should give you the option to either Mount, which would make it in a virtual drive, or Burn, which would write it on a DVD or CD.

You’re free to mount as many ISO images as you’d like, so you’re not limited to just one or two. It only took Microsoft about a decade, but they’ve finally decided to mount ISO’s on Windows 8 natively.

43 thoughts on “How To Mount ISO Files On Windows 7

  1. Pingback: Mounting ISO Files in Windows 7

  2. Bruce

    thank you VERY much, power iso works like a charm.. as you say.. its very difficoult to mount an iso image in windows 7.. btw, if you click on computer then (right click), manage.. you can create virtual drives with windows 7.. but, for example.. the ISO extension is not supported.

  3. Chris

    I used MagicIso with Vista but when I tried with Windows 7 it completely locked up. Then, every time I tried to reboot, it locked up Windows 7 Booting up. I had to reinstall Windows, ugh. Thanks again for the advice.

  4. Insidious611

    Very useful. Thanks. Alcohol, MagicDisc, Daemon, all dont work due to SPTD not installing right. PowerISO seems to work fine, which removes the one reason i was actually considering moving back to XP

  5. admin Post author

    Tomyem … go on thepiratebay.org and look for “daemon tools windows 7”. There is a version with the SPTD made to work for Windows 7. Not sure about version 7127, but I’m using Daemon Tools on Windows 7 RC.

  6. The Voice of Wisdom

    “PowerISO is freeware so there shouldn’t be any problem. Its only limitations is the screen that asks you to register it and a limit of 300Mb when creating or editing files.”

    Yeah, sure sounds like “freeware” to me…

  7. nojetlag

    What’s the problem with MSFT, is it so diffcult to support .iso files out of the box ? Why OSX can do it with .dmg files. Do we have to wait till Windows 12 ? MSDN provides all the software on .iso and their own OS doesn’t support it. Sure the same company ?

  8. marior adi

    thanks mate, didn’t try it yet but it seems fantastic to find something i needed. bye !

  9. bytecowboy

    projectdp,
    just because it says so on the website that doesn’t mean anything. I installed Magicdisc last night on a fresh / updated windows 7 system. Every time I shut the system down after that … it bluescreened. Uninstalled it, and the error is gone.

  10. Merlin

    Just remember to ensure the Daemon tools is active in your windows service startup, or it will not work properly, default installation should ensure it is set up properly. but Yes Power ISO is awesome, been using it for a couple years now with all O/S

  11. Simbalage

    Thanks to the comment about about magic iso. I also must add the same applies for magic disc. The only thing I can think caused my win 7 to lock up and prevent boot. even repair options. Why does MS do this shit! why not win 7 with xp driver compatibility people would love that

  12. DMGF

    @nojetlag
    The problem is that M$ aren’t allowed to add basic functionality without hitting anti-trust suits.
    Any other OS is allowed to ship with a built-in web browser, Windows isn’t. They were ready to add AntiVirus – it got blocked. I’m told (by an employee) that the code for mounting almost all formats of disc image was wrtten and ready to go in before they had to pul that too – the list is endless.
    Put simply, don’t blame M$ for most “missing” features, blame the politicians that are taking the bribes from the other OS writers to block them.

  13. steen-CPH

    I used Microsofts “Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool” to “burn” to USB. It’s not for that purpose, but… It makes the USB bootable, but what… The process ended with reporting error, but everything was there.

  14. Javkhlantugs

    Thanks! I thought there is no way to mount ISO file on Windows 7. So I was going to change my system back to Windows xp. But Power ISO works fine.

  15. nigratruo

    You wish that this missing features are due to the bundling restriction that Microsoft has. No, this has system. They are just plainly incompetent. If they could come up with a decent antivirus, the antivirus industry never existed in the first place. If IE would have been excellent, there would never had to be a Firefox to kick it in the a** and get it moving again (without competition, IE did not get developed anymore and stood still, no new features, nothing. The development team got disbanded)
    So Microsoft is a megalomaniac company out to conquer the world and build huge monopolies, in which their inferior software lives best. They don’t like competition and that is why they stamp it out wherever they can, usually with unfair and powermongering tactics. Go read the biography of Microsoft and Gates, it is a great read and opens the eyes, especially to all the lovers of MS that think it is such a great company and that other companies died because they just had to and were weak. Cowardly and treacherous murder is a better word describing it. They got no ethics and no morals when it comes to stealing other companies ideas and then bankrupting them. They have been successfully been able to prevent Ubuntu from being preinstalled by a lot of OEMs and offering an alternative to Windows. This is face, not a theory or anything. There are payments from MS to the OEMs for that and NDAs. They know that Ubuntu would make WIndows look bad (because too expensive, the price would show directly. And like any other company that peddles their overpriced wares (like the cellphone industry), they must hide the price so that nobody can see how expensive it is. That is why the EU is trying to halt their advance and their monopoly.

  16. zerocool

    wow thank same i really need a iso mounting software (: uhh and by the way if your pc lockes up when your trying magic disk or so just start in safe mode and uninstall the iso preogram worked for me (:

  17. Sam

    If all you need to do is extract the contents of an iso file you can use 7-zip, it’s a good freeware alternative to WinRAR.

  18. jhay_arr100ph

    I AGREE.. WinRar is the Easiest way… but It’s the most CRAZIEST THING TO DO. There’s a lot of SOFTWARE that can mount ISO files. When you use WinRar another SPACE of your HARD DRIVE will occupy upon extracting.. but If you use PROGRAM like POWERISO it will just mount to another drive without occupying another hard disk space.

    Use any program for ISO i RECOMMEND POWERISO to make it easier.

  19. jhay_arr100ph

    DISADVANTAGE OF USING WINRAR OR 7-ZIP .. if you extract your IMAGE FILE OR ISO FILE there are instances that your ANTI-VIRUS delete some of the important executable files. like CRACKS, KEYGENS, or any autorun files and doubled your SPACE DRIVE CONSUMPTION FOR THE TOTAL FILE TO BE EXTRACTED
    example:
    ISO FILE = 4.5gb + wINRAR eXTRACTED FILE + 4.5 gb
    your total CONSUMPTION 9GB how about if the scenario you have 12 gb remaining from start..
    take note.. you still have to install the program.. it will consume more harddrive space…

    ADVANTAGES OF USING POWERISO:
    1. You can just imagining you have inserted another drive.
    2. IT’S READ ONLY – Anti Virus can never delete your VIEWED FILES.
    3. Space Saver for

    =================
    I REALLY LIKE TO USE WINRAR for SOME CASES not for BIG FILES.. like IMAGE FILES

  20. TJB

    DAEMON tools lite (freeware} works fine on 7. I have it on 3 computers. NERO 6. was great but they eliminated the mounting function on 9, which only works on 7. I guess DVD companies don’t want us to mount any more. With 3 terabytes who needs a disc?

  21. Pingback: Arrival of virtualization « Windows 7 Newz

  22. xtc

    what the hell is everyone going on about, windows 7 has an image mounter that works 100% everytime. its called windows disc image burner. try reading a manual or something

  23. kece

    I am curious I have looked over all the comments, the title description is how to mount using ISO, but where are there any instructions on this? Unless I am missing something I seen nor read anything regarding mounting using ISO

  24. Jezza

    Daemon Tools Lite did it for me – on a netbook I was able to open an ISO image of an application CD and (auto)run it to install the app

  25. Rodger

    @xtc Said, try reading the post yourself, boofhead, they are wanting to MOUNT the ISO, not Burn it….
    Windows Disc Image Burner, very name should have told YOU that..

    let me summarise for you….
    Article Name – “How To “MOUNT” ISO Files On Windows 7″
    your advice – “Windows Disc Image ‘BURNER’ ”
    do you see the difference? WIDB, DOES NOT MOUNT the Image

Comments are closed.