How to Open ISO Files

Many people out there own a computer, but don't know the intricate processes of how to do certain tasks. In this article, I will map out the basic way of opening an ISO file. An ISO file is basically a created "image" of a CD/DVD, with the intent of creating a backup should the original ever get damaged or misplaced. However, not many people know how to virtually open up an ISO file on their computer. Let's begin.

Programs Required
Daemon Tools - Get it at http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php

Daemon Tools is an virtual emulator, meaning it creates a virtual CD/DVD drive that acts as an emulator for your image file. Since your CD/DVD drive cannot possibly boot up a nonexistent CD/DVD, Daemon Tools creates a virtual drive that can do so, and thus allowing you to boot up your backup file, the ISO.

Instructions

1) Install Daemon Tools onto your computer. Restart if needed.

2) Load up Daemon Tools. If you are unsure of how to do so, Go to Start > My Computers > C: (or whichever hard drive is your master) > Program Files > Daemon Tools > And then load Daemon Tools

3) The Daemon Tools icon should load up in your taskbar at the lower righthand side of your screen. Right click it and hover your mouse cursor over the option of "Virtual CD/DVD ROM"

4) A window should now just have popped up to the rightside of the option. Hover your mouse cursor over the first option that mentions the word "Device".

5) Another window should now pop up. Hover your mouse cursor over "Set Device Perimeters" and click it to enter.

6) The only option you should change in this window is the virtual drive you want Daemon Tools to assign to the ISO file. Pick any letter option besides the existent drives you have on your computer. For this tutorial, let's say you picked "H:".

7) Now repeat steps 3 through 4 until the "Device Option" window comes back up again. It should now say "Device 0: [ H:] No Media". This time, select the option "Mount Image".

8) Browse through the explorer window until you find the ISO image file you have. If it doesn't show, be sure to put "All file types" as your option for Files of Type. If that still doesn't work, try renaming your file to end in .iso or .bin.

9) Click Open.

And there you have it, Daemon Tools should now have created a successful virtual drive to open that ISO file. As long as you do not unmount your image, that file will stay in your list of drive as (H:) , accessible for a later date.

Stay tuned for more computer tutorials on how to do miscellaneous tasks.