.ISO files and YOU!
If you're looking for a digital version of a CD in order to install some software, or to burn to a physical CD at will, you're looking for an .iso file. These files are great for storing operating systems and game CDs, as you don't need a CD-ROM drive to use them.
For this example I'll be using a .iso file for Netrunner, a very cool Linux operating system. Here is the link if you want to follow along, just select the appropriate version.
A. Now if you have Windows 8/8.1, you're lucky, you don't have to install any extra software. Go ahead and right-click the .iso file and select Mount. You'll see the new contents appear under My Computer (Windows File Explorer) in a virtual CD-ROM. You may then use the .iso file as if it were a CD that's in a CD-ROM drive, including booting from it if you're installing an operating system.
B. For everyone else (Windows 7 or earlier), I recommend getting a virtual disk manager such as
Virtual CloneDrive (direct download link)
PowerISO (direct download link)
WinCDEmu (direct download link)
Once you have one of those installed, it may be necessary to set up a virtual drive from within the program. I use DAEMON Tools Pro, your process may be similar:
Once you've created a virtual drive, find your .iso and right-click on it. With DAEMON Tools Pro, it adds a context menu entry for ease of access. You may have a similar entry. Follow the menus until you see the option to Mount to the virtual drive you created:
Once you've mounted the .iso file, it should appear under My Computer in Windows File Explorer, or it should display the Autorun menu asking you what to do.
To stop using the iso file, right-click on it in My Computer and follow the menus till you find the option to Unmount Image. Again, your menu options may be different than mine depending on which software you use.
