8.3 Mount ISO file In Windows 8
Mounting ISO files in Windows has always needed the help of third
party software. Windows 8, however, has changed all that by being the
first Windows operating system to incorporate software which will easily
mount an ISO image.
As more and more software is available for download on the internet,
developers are packaging the setup files into ISO files which require
burning to a CD/DVD once the download has been completed. Add to the mix
the fact that many PC manufacturers are now building desktops and
laptops that no longer have a built in CD/DVD and you have a problem.
One easy option is to buy an external CD/DVD, but this costs money.
The alternative is to use ISO mounting software which, effectively,
turns your ISO file into a virtual CD/DVD. The end result is a file that
you can run straight from your desktop without the need of a physical
CD/DVD drive.
To mount an ISO file simply follow the instructions below:
- Open Windows Explorer and locate the ISO file that you wish to
mount.
Fig: 8-3-1 To begin the Mount process, select the ISO file from the
relevant Windows Explorer folder
- Once you have located the ISO file, Right Click on it and, from
the menu that appears, Click on Mount.
Fig: 8-3-2 From the available drop down menu, select Mount to mount
the ISO file
- The ISO file has now been mounted and you should see it
displayed as a DVD entry in Windows Explorer or Computer.
Fig: 8-3-3 Once mounted the file will be visible as a DVD Drive
- You can now click on the mounted ISO and either browse the files
or begin the setup program.
- Once you have finished with the ISO file it is time to dis-mount
the file.
- To Dis-Mount the ISO file, Right Click on the DVD Drive file
entry in Windows Explorer or Computer and select Eject from the
available menu.
Fig: 8-3-4 Dis-mount the ISO by selecting the Eject option from the
available menu
- Your ISO file has now been dis-mounted.