Whilst it is unlikely that anyone would store data in an ISO file just for archive purposes, it can often be useful to be able to open an ISO file and access the files within it without first having to burn it to CD or DVD. Because this standard defines a structure for storing files within folders it is technically an archive format. The name ISO comes from the ISO9660 standard developed by the International Standards Organization which defines how data is stored on a CD or DVD. If not, then recommends ImgBurn, a simple, no-frills ISO burner that we have found to be very reliable. If you have a CD or DVD burner in your computer then you probably already have software able to burn a disc from an ISO file. The software needs to recognize the ISO file format and know that this is an image of a complete CD, not a file that you want to save to CD. This process is not the same as writing a file to the CD or DVD. You can burn a CD or DVD from an ISO file. 'Image' in this context does not mean a picture! It means an exact copy of all the data on the CD or DVD, including all the files, folders and system information.Īn ISO file is usually created as an intermediate stage in making a CD or DVD. Performing an ISO image backup guards against losing information in the event of a hard drive malfunction.An ISO file is a disk file that contains an image of a CD or DVD. Look for a program that meets your needs, balancing features, usability and value. Freeware alternatives include programs like InfraRecorder©, CDBurnerXP©, ImgBurn© and DeepBurner©, but there are many more. Two of the most popular commercial packages are made by Nero® and Roxio®. Many software burning tools that work with ISO images are available as shareware and freeware. An ISO image is essentially viewed by the system a self-contained pseudo-drive. Some DVD burning software will allow you to exclude files you don’t want included in the new burn, such as alternate languages or “bonus features” like commentary, thereby saving room.Īlthough a file manager can browse a program CD and open any file, an ISO image on a hard drive is not “opened” but “mounted,” just as a drive is mounted. The latter folder is always empty, while the former holds the video files, subtitle files, language and menu information, and other metadata.

If the ISO image holds a movie, two folders will be extracted: VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS. If you’d like to see what’s inside an ISO image, you can use software tools designed to extract the contents.

Iso file format