Learn about ISO files and how to open them

Q I downloaded a program, but instead of having a simple installer to click on, it comes in the form of two .iso extension files. What is the best way of handling and opening these files?

Norman Thomas

A An ISO file is a disc image, meaning it’s a copy of the entire contents of a data CD or DVD. You can use a CD-writing application, such as Imgburn to copy the files to a blank CD or DVD, and the result will be a disc that is a clone of the original disc the ISO file was made from.

If you do not wish to use up a blank disc, an alternative is to use virtual drive software such as Daemon Tools Lite to read the file.

Make sure you uncheck the option to install a browser toolbar and alter your home page when you first install Daemon Tools. After installation, you will notice another drive letter assigned to a ‘virtual’ CD/DVD drive in Windows Explorer.

Right-click on the Daemon Tools icon in the Notification Area, select Load Image, then select the ISO file. The virtual drive will load the disc image in the same way placing a disc in a real drive would.

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