How to Open a File With an Extension ISO
Files with the extension ISO contain a CD or DVD's data and file structure. In order to open an ISO file, you will need to download and install specialized software. There are a number of programs that can extract, manage, and alter the data contained within ISO files. Other programs allow you to burn the ISO file or disk image to a CD or DVD. Although some of these programs are commercial, there are a number of free programs that allow you to open a file with an ISO extension, including ISO Recorder and 7-Zip.
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Things You'll Need
- CD or DVD burner (Section 1)
- ISO burning software, such as ISO Recorder or Nero (Section 1)
- Blank CD or DVD (Section 1)
- ISO extraction software, such as 7-Zip or WinRAR (Section 2)
Instructions
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Burn to Disc
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1
Make note of the location of the ISO file you wish to open.
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2
Insert a blank CD or DVD into your disk burner. Close the tray.
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3
Open your ISO-compatible DVD or CD burning software. Select "Disk Image" as the type of disk to be burned.
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4
Right-click in the blank data area, or click on the "Add" button. Select the ISO file.
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5
Click on "Next," "OK," and/or "Burn disk," according to your burner software.
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6
Close the burner software. Close the tray, and allow Windows to Auto-play the disk and to open a file with an ISO extension.
Extract Files
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7
Open 7-Zip or another program capable of opening ISO files.
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8
Browse to the ISO file you wish to open. Double-click on it.
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9
Hold down Ctrl + A to select all files within the ISO. Click the "Extract" button.
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10
Browse to the directory where you wish to extract the ISO.
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11
Close your extraction software.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can also mount ISO files on hard drives as if they were playable CDs or DVDs. In order to do so, you must purchase and install a CD-mounting program like Daemon Tools, PowerISO, or Alcohol 120%. Please see the Download.com link in the Resources section below for more ISO file tools.
While there are legitimate uses for ISOs, pirates often use the file type to distribute illegal software. Do not use the information in this article to engage in illegal activity.
