Mount ISO Images in Windows Vista and XP
Sep 25th, 2007 by MrGroove
Mounting an .ISO image, .IMG, or .BIN files is something I do on a daily basis on both my Windows Vista and Windows XP boxes. The utility I use is called Virtual Clone Drive (latest build 5.1.4.5) also known as Slysoft Virtual CloneDrive.
So, go ahead and download the installer from either site and let’s get started.
1. Click I Agree to begin the install
All shots taken from Windows XP Pro Install
2. Click Next accepting all defaults
3. Click Install accepting all defaults (unless you want to change the install dir)
4. Click OK if the "Select Device" box appears
5. Click Continue Anyway at Hardware Installation Box
6. Click Close when install completed
All done!
For both of my installs, I was prompted to reboot. After you come back up, your done. Just double click on an image and will auto-mount in your virtual clone drive.
In Windows Explorer it will look like this when no images are mounted:
To manually mount an image just:
Right Click on the VirtualClone Drive, Click Virtual CloneDrive and Click Mount (As you can see below, this is also where you can Unmount an .ISO or other image file)
Very simple tool with a very QUICK learning curve. Any questions, please feel free to ask here in the comments area or in my Forum.
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Just installed Vista and needed to find something which would work with .img files. Exactly what I needed!
Thanks!
Love the article. Any reason you don’t like the Microsoft free ISO mount app?
Awesome! Just finished the install on both my Windows XP and Vista boxes.
BTW - I’ve used the free tool from Microsoft on Vista and it also works pretty good. Wouldn’t install on Vista so this is cool.
App works well, thanks for your well-written posting!
Just one addition: if you don’t regularly use or load images and want to unload the program:
* start the program from the Start/Programs/Elaborate Bytes/Virtual CloneDrive.
* Select the ‘Number of Drives’ listbox: select ‘Disabled’. And it’s unloaded from memory.
Thanks for the additional info Jim. And Welcome to the site!
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Hi,
I followed these steps to load into Vista Home Premium but was unable to reboot my computer, I had to restore to before I installed the software. I had the same problem with Deamon tools. I am so used to using iso images that I hardly burn cds or dvd anymore. I would like that ability on my new laptop. It is an HP dv9000t, has anyone else encountered this problem?
hgharbin
Welcome to the site HGHarbin,
Are you running a x64 bit version of Vista? Virtual Clone drive does support x64 however MagicISO.com as of version 5.4 does support both x32 and x64 bit versions of Windows Vista. The only downside to MagicISO however is…. $$$. It’s not free.
-MrGroove
I prefer MagicDisc which can also create isos from cds/dvds. Just check it at download.com
Lorenzo
@Lorenzo - Thanks for the comment & Welcome to the site!
Hai Yar,
Thanks for the valuable comments. I could solve the problem which disturbed me for a long time.
I created an ISO on one computer using IMGBURN. After installing VirtualCloneDrive on a different computer on the home network, whenever I try and mount the ISO I get the error “Windows cannot read from this disk. The disk might be corrupted, or it could be using a format that is not compatible with Windows.” I can mount the very same ISO with Daemon Tools on the local machine, but I get the same error from Daemon Tools when I try and do the same over the network. Any ideas?
@Bob Taylor - I’m actually not familiar with IMGBURN and I havn’t been using for over 2-3 years due to Spyware they bundle with the software.
So, my recommendation would be to try and use http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm ISO Recorder from Alex Feinman to create the ISO files then try and use them using the VirtualCloneDrive. Alex’s software supports everything from Windows XP to Windows Vista. x64 is even supported.
Give it a shot and keep me updated!
Another option is Pismo File Mount Audit Package, http://www.pismotechnic.com/pfm/ap/ .
- Free.
- Supports Windows 2000 through Windows 2008, 32 and 64 bit.
- Can mount ISO, ISZ, UIF, and DAA CD/DVD images, as well as ZIP and PFO (Private Folder) files.
- Can simultaneously mount any number of image/archive files, not limited by available drive letters.
- No reboots required after install, uninstall, or upgrade.
thanks for the nice program but where is the download link ??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Odai - First paragraph of the Article - http://www.elby.ch/fun/software/index.html
im having trouble with this , i downloaded the program , however when i go to mount , it does not give me the option to do so . there is a manual file for a shortcut and an uninstall file . when i right click virtualclonedrive , explore open search scan with ad aware , these are the things listed . what am i doing wrong?
@Laila - Hello!
These comment areas are not the best for troubleshooting problems….. It would be much better to repost your question in the support forum - http://www.groovypost.com/forum so we can get a thread going and get you fixed up!
Setting up an account is free and easy. I’ll watch the forum for your question ok!
Thanks!