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How to extract (or access) the contents of an .iso file in Windows

Windows

If you’ve downloaded an .iso (or .bin, .img, .cif, .nrg, .img etc) and don’t want to burn it to get to its contents, you can download and install MagicDisc, a freeware app that lets you “mount” the image file as if it was a CD/DVD drive. This tutorial will guide you through doing just that.

  1. First, make sure to download MagicDisc and install it. The installation is very straight forward – you’ll mostly click ‘next’ a bunch of times. At the end of the installation, you’ll probably be notified that new hardware was found and installed.

    2. magicdisc for windows mount iso file

  2. Also, there will be a new icon in your System Tray. Right-click that icon and select Virtual CD/DVD-ROM, then click X: No Media (where X is the next available drive letter on your system – in the screenshot below, the drive is E:)

    3. magicdisc for windows mount iso file

  3. Click Mount …

    4. magicdisc for windows mount iso file

  4. And then navigate to the image file (iso, uif, bin, img etc), select it and click the Open button.

    5. magicdisc for windows mount iso file
    click to enlarge

  5. If you have Windows set to notify you each time a CD/DVD is inserted into a drive, you’ll get a pop-up message asking you what you want to do with the “disc”.

    6. magicdisc for windows mount iso file

  6. Otherwise you can use Windows Explorer to navigate to your new drive, and view its contents. The files on your new virtual disc can be copied over to your hard drive, executed or viewed – the same as any other CD/DVD.

    7. magicdisc for windows mount iso file

  7. To unmount an image file, repeat steps 2 and 3 above, but select Unmount instead of Mount.

Posted in Windows.

14 comments

By Ross McKillop – September 24, 2007

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14 Responses

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  1. B. Murugesan says

    Thanks a bunch! You really saved a lot of time. Your instructions are very simple and straight forward.

    I really appreciate your post.

    August 1, 2008, 10:46 pm
  2. Dave says

    I tried to install MagicDisc105 twice, but it crashed my machine each time. Guess that means “quit doing that!” Any suggestions on a workaround, or perhaps an alternative route? Thanks.

    October 29, 2008, 1:35 pm
  3. M.Trisler says

    thank you so much for your steps, i was having problems left and right until i found your website thanks so much

    January 1, 2009, 4:43 pm
  4. Handoko says

    Thank you so much !! It really help me !! ^^

    February 5, 2009, 10:47 pm
  5. Snehal says

    This Is really gr8..thanks for the help!!

    March 17, 2009, 6:47 am
  6. Joleca says

    Hi Dave and anyone else who’s had problems with MagicDisc,

    Probably the best virtual drive software I’ve tried is Virtual CloneDrive by Slysoft… and its also free (they’ve got other great programs but this is the only freebie).

    Easy to use (works like in example above) and haven’t heard of it crashing anyone yet…

    for more info:

    http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.html

    April 24, 2009, 6:00 am
  7. Samees says

    Thanks a lot! Very simple and helpful

    Takecare!

    May 1, 2009, 2:28 am
  8. Romsfou says

    Thanks a lot. This is really simple and useful. Much appreciated!

    May 23, 2009, 1:27 pm
  9. John says

    Absolutely awesome!!

    September 8, 2009, 7:49 pm
  10. Al says

    Hi,

    Installed fina and I’m able to mount the drive, with the ISO file, but when I go to browse there are no files.

    Any ideas?

    Al

    September 10, 2009, 2:27 pm
  11. Dilan says

    I’m having a problem. When I follow the steps, after step 4, open, it tells me it failed to mount. Now what?

    September 19, 2009, 11:45 am
  12. Paul says

    Simply Awesome!!!

    Thanks for taking the time in filling us in.

    October 24, 2009, 9:08 pm
  13. Madhab Mathema says

    I really appreciate the way you have presented How to use MagicDisk. How come most of the time free programs are so much better than the paid software? Thanks a lot.

    One request: could you please provide Print Friendly facility for the Page?

    A grateful user!

    October 26, 2009, 2:42 am

Continuing the Discussion

  1. How to create an .iso file in Windows - Simplehelp linked to this post on September 26, 2007

    [...] the same software that allows you to extract the contents of an .iso, MagicDisc, you can create .iso files. This brief tutorial will guide you through doing just [...]



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