How to make a disk image. How to create an ISO image from files and folders

A disc image is a complete, “photographic” copy of an optical disc (such as a CD or DVD). Unlike a simple copy of a disc, its image is not just a set of folders, but a file that contains information about the format of the disc, boot data, its structure, and the data itself.

Disk image files very often have the extension .iso Usually in this format, images of bootable disks or computer games... Let's look at how you can create an iso disk image.

To create an iso disk image, emulator programs are used that create virtual floppy drives on the user's machine, which, however, are perceived by the computer's operating system as quite real. There are several such programs, but we will look at how to create an iso disk image using two of them: Daemon tools and UltraISO.

How to create an iso disk image, Daemon Tools

The program is unpretentious and its free version allows you to create an iso disk image from any optical disk placed in your computer's floppy drive.

After installing the program on the computer, the Daemon Tools icon will appear in the lower right corner of the Desktop. By clicking on it with the right mouse button, we will see the following picture:

Using the tooltip, look for the "Image Creation" icon (second from the left). After clicking on this icon, a window of the same name will open:

In this window, after we insert the disc into the computer's drive, mark the save folder and the format of the future disk image file (iso), decide whether we will compress it or not, and use or refuse to protect the iso file with a password.

Click "Start" and after the processing is complete, we find the created iso disk image in the specified folder.

How to create an iso disk image, UltraISO

UltraISO is more functional than the free version of Daemon Tools and allows you to create an iso disk image from files stored in computer folders.

The UltraISO interface window consists of two parts, each with a wire structure.


Find the file or folder from which we want to create an iso disk image in the lower part and drag it to the upper part.


Then open the "Properties" window by clicking on the button next to the "Image" field, set in this window the type-size of the desired disk image and the file name format "standard". Click OK in the Properties window, and Save As in the main program window.


In the window that opens, select the file format (ISO file), give it a name, specify the save folder and click "Save". Everything, after the processing operation, we find the created iso disk image in the specified folder.

Today, many people are interested in how to create an ISO disk image of the Windows 10 operating system. Let's make a reservation right away that this is quite simple, but to create an image, you will need a special utility that was developed by Microsoft. Moreover, this program allows not only to update the current system, but also to write it to removable media (CD or).

You should start with preparing a removable drive - it is important that its volume is at least 8 gigabytes; the creation of such a drive is available for next versions described OS:

  • Windows 10 Pro;
  • Windows 10 Home.

Now we proceed directly to the process. Below is an algorithm of the required actions.

Step-by-step guide to creating an ISO disc in Windows 10 using the installer

First, connect a disk (it is quite obvious that it should be a DVD-R) or a removable drive to the computer, and then check if the storage medium has the required amount of memory. Then follow the instructions.

Step one... Click on the Windows 10 Setup icon. Then a window will appear in which you need to select the second item ("Create installation media ..."), as shown in the image below. Then click the "Next" button.

Step two... In the next window this utility will prompt you to set the required parameters, including architecture, language, etc. After selecting everything you need, click the "Next" button again.


Note! It is imperative that the chosen ISO image architecture matches the parameters of the computer itself where you plan to install it. Tellingly, the program allows you to choose not only a 32/64-core system, but also both options at once.

If you chose the first option, then you will have two paths:

  • burn to DVD;
  • first create a disc.

In the second version, respectively, recording is possible only immediately to a removable drive.

Step four... When you select the appropriate item, click "Next". If the recording will take place directly to the USB flash drive, the operating system will show the available media.


Note! Who does not know, during the recording, all information on the flash drive will be deleted.

Step five... When you click the Next button again, the installation or recording will continue.


Step six... In the first option, that is, when it comes to selecting the "ISO file" item, several folders will be attached at once, where the image will be saved, or the drive. It is quite obvious that there should already be a DVD-R disc that has the required amount of memory. Having saved it, you can later burn it to any convenient medium.


Note! Such operations are possible only on those computers on which the operating system is Windows 7 or higher.

Features of installing Windows 10 from an image

Installing an operating system is straightforward; no special skills or skills are required. To start the installation, insert a USB flash drive or disk, and then, when the computer restarts, press any button after the corresponding message appears ("Press any button to boot ..." or something similar, it all depends on the specific type of system). Before that, you need to click in the BIOS settings to boot from a disk or flash drive.


The next step is that the system will ask you to enter a product key. You will find this key on the package, or if you are just updating the OS, select "I do not have a key".


Accept the user agreement and decide on the type of installation. If you do not belong to "advanced" users, then it is better not to use custom installation.




Then you will find yourself in the window for selecting the partition where the operating system will be installed.


When all the required actions are completed, the system will be installed, after which it will ask you to customize it "for yourself". More specifically, these settings include:

  • installation / configuration of standard programs;
  • creating your account.

Here you can decide for yourself whether to leave basic settings or set the parameters again. That's all, now you know how to create an ISO image of Windows 10. For more detailed information, we recommend watching the thematic video below. Good luck!

Video - Create a Windows 10 Startup Disk

Any operating system is not one hundred percent protected from unexpected crashes, breakdowns, failures. Windows 7 is no exception. In order not to lose valuable system settings that you have been adjusting for yourself for a long time, it is recommended to create a disk image with the iso extension at least once every six months. In this way, you will protect yourself from a long and tedious recovery after an operating system crash or breakdown. You can burn the resulting file to a dvd disk, memory card, or any other digital media. And in the right moment just upload it back. If you do decide to do this, follow the instructions in this article.

Create an ISO image for Windows 7 via the official Microsoft website

Not so long ago, a software company made it possible for users to independently generate image files directly through the official website. To do this, follow the link: https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/software

Before getting started, make sure that your storage medium contains more than 4 GB of memory, as well as a stable Internet connection:

  • follow the link above for a selection of tips and tricks,
  • scroll down the page and you will see the input field for your Windows 7 product key,
  • now minimize the browser and go to the control panel,
  • select the "System and Security" tab,


  • in the window that appears, click on the "System" section,


  • you will be immediately directed to the page where at the very bottom is the activation key for your product. Carefully rewrite it in the browser line and click "Check",


  • wait for the system to check your Windows 7 and the validity of its license. The process will take from a minute to five. If everything is in order with the key, the browser utility will immediately start creating an ISO image of your entire system. If there is something wrong with the key or this method does not suit you for other reasons, go to the second step of the instructions.


Create an ISO image of Windows 7 without third-party software

  • You can also create an image inside your computer without installing unnecessary software. To do this, go to the control panel again and find the "Backup and Restore" section.


  • In the window that appears on the left, find the link "Create a system image". Click on it.


  • Wait a few minutes while Windows finds all the ways to create and capture the image.


  • The system will automatically open before you all possible options for recording an image to media. Most likely, you will have three options: "hard drive", "dvd media" and "network location". If you have a dvd disc, insert it and choose the second method.


  • If you have only one disk on your computer, as in the screenshot below, then you won't have to choose. If there are several disks, then you can choose one of them or all. Click on the "Archive" button to start burning the ISO image to disk.


  • If you chose the third option: network placement, the process is slightly different. Please note that in a network location, the file may not be secure.


  • Enter the address of the network location.


After pressing the "ok" button, copying will start. It is also possible to manually write the image through programs such as Daemon Tools. The process is very similar, but takes a little longer. To do this, you need to download the program, mount the image in it and write it to a digital medium.

If you were unable to create a Windows 7 image after all the above points, then it may be easier for you to download ready-made ISO images from the Internet.

A few interesting words about Windows images 7 you can learn from the video below:

A disk image is a file containing full copy the structure and content of the data that are on the disk. It stores all the information that duplicates the location and content of a particular storage device. The order of data sectors is repeated on the image, but the structure built on it is ignored.

The purpose of creation was originally backup disk data where the exact original structure was preserved. Currently, due to the proliferation of optical media, there are more images in as ISO files that can be used instead of CDs. ISO has less data - no overhead information.

With the help of archiving programs that support the opening of this type of data, you can extract and view the contents of this file. About the same, how and with what tools you can reproduce the disk image will be discussed further.

Create an image with ultraISO

One of the most accessible methods for creating ISO is using the UltraISO utility. The program is paid, but you can use the trial trial version, which we download from the official site.

The essence of use is as follows: there is two main fields- the directory tree of the mounted image on the left and the data in them stored on the right. Below are the directories and files stored on the computer.

We set the name future copy, for which we left-click on it, propertyRename. Entering a new name.

Then we drag folders and files from the storage area on the computer to the image files area. To find the ones you need, use the directory explorer presented below.

Notice that at the top is displayed overall size documents.

Actually, to complete the operation, it remains only to save: FileSave as.

From the proposed formats we take ISO and keep.

The saving process will appear, after which you will find a copy in the location you specified.

Burning an image with Daemon tools

Daemon Tools is an equally popular image recording program.

There are several variations of this software, among them the free DAEMON Tools Lite. After installing the free license, you will have a virtual DVD drive.

After starting, click on the button below to create a copy of the disk.

V settings refer to drive unit where the drive and folder are located where the image will be saved.

Specify the type of copy MDS or ISO.

Mount you can check it in the virtual drive.

Using Ashampoo Burning Studio Free

The free version of this program is free, it will allow you to burn a disk image. Downloading from off. site, simple and straightforward installation.



After installation, the application will start on its own. We choose Disk imageCreate.

If we create on the basis of a real disk - beforehand insert it into the drive.

We indicate the storage location and click Further to start the process.

After completing the procedure, you can open the folder containing the file.

How to create a copy of a disc using CDBurnerXP

To create an ISO in the CDBurnerXP utility, select from the menu Filesave project as ISO.

Specify the directory where to save the file and click Create ISO.

Can be customized options, such as: name, description, date, identifier, copyright and other settings. Opening Boot Options you will see a dialog box with additional options.

ISO with ImgBurn

ImgBurn handy tool for recording ISO images. Everything is done very quickly and quite simply.

After downloading and installing the program, you will see the following window.

As you can see, here it is possible as write down image to disk, so do it from available files.

V this case we are interested in the latter.

Special additional settings you do not need to specify (the only thing, if you wish, you can change the write speed and the number of copies), specify the drive from which we want to read the data and click Reading

The copying process will go, at the end of which the message will signal us about its successful completion.

Free DVD ISO Maker

The program is free, easy to use and simple.

After starting, you will need to select Select CD/ DVDdevice, that is, the drive to read (specify the path). Next is the place where we will save the resulting file. Then we press Covert and wait for the final completion of the copying procedure.

Using ISODisk

Also free, download it from the official site.

Although the interface is in English, it is quite intuitive. Some users do not recommend using it for mounting. virtual drives, but she copes with the task of creating ISO with a bang.

If something suddenly happens to your operating system, this can lead to a huge number of problems. In the best case, you will have to reinstall it, search the Internet for drivers and installers of the programs you need. In the worst case, there is a risk of completely losing all personal information, unique photographs, important documents and projects. Usually, OS recovery is unlikely to help in this case - it only works with Windows settings. Therefore, in order to preserve your data, it is important to know how you can create a backup disk image from your Windows 7.

Types of images

It is not necessary to have a DVD-disk for this. There is specialized software (for example, the UltraISO utility) with which you can do everything you need right on your computer. You prepare a set of folders and files, and use the program to form a disk image.

The second type is a backup copy of the operating system. It can even be done using standard Windows tools. It is needed to restore your OS in case of unforeseen emergencies.

In fact, this is a hard disk impression. The computer scans the entire contents of the specified HDD and packs it into a special archive. If something happens, you can always restore everything back.

Windows backup

You do not need to install any additional software to create a backup of data on disk. You just need to do the following:

The whole process can take quite a long time. The amount of data stored is usually large. In general, the duration depends on the amount of information being copied, the generation of USB or SATA / SAS interfaces, the speed of the network (depending on where the backup is saved) and the performance of the computer.

Recovery disc

After completing the backup process, the system will prompt you to create a dedicated recovery disc. This is a set of useful programs that can help users if their OS has stopped starting. It contains utilities for recovery boot sector MBR, sets of system files required to run, and so on.

ISO image creation

If you want to burn the contents of a DVD or CD in digital ISO format, you need a dedicated program. The simplest and most reliable example of such a utility is free app ImgBurn.

Why should a PC user know how to create an image hard disk? Of course, in order to, if necessary, produce a complete including the lost data, and not just the operating system. To create a hard disk image, you need one of the computer programs specially designed for this purpose. For example, this can be done using Acronis True Image Home.

First, you will have to download and install the above program, the latest version of which is located, for example, at this link http://openprog.ru/acronis-true-image-home and install it on your computer. It's free. Wondering how you should take into account the fact that you will need free space. For example, you can save it to one of the disks on your personal computer. Or create this image on

So, Acronis program True Image Home is installed and running, how to create a disk image, what are the next steps for a PC user?

Step one: You need to enter the main menu of the installed and running program and select the button in it - "Backup", after which a menu will drop out, including other submenus. You should choose - "Backing up disks and partitions".

Step two: In the "Archived sections" window that opens, you need to select HDD or section. How to create an image of a disk or partition on which the OS is installed? In this case, you are advised to check the sector-by-sector archiving option, taking into account that more free space will be needed. You will see the estimated size of the archive below in the same window. That's it, click Next.

Step three: A new window has opened and now you should check "Create a new backup archive" if you need to create a new archive and copy the disk image to it. How to add it to the archive that was created earlier? In this case, check - "Add to existing backup archive".

Using the "Browse" button here, you should select a folder in which to store disk image archives created by the program in question.

Now, using the appropriate button, create a name for the archive, select its format, and in order to save these and others offered by the setup program, press the "OK" button.

Step five: After all the previously done manipulations, you will see a newly opened window - "Summary data". Here you need to check the name of the created disk image archive and its location. If the need arises or your desire, you can use the "Parameters" button to configure Extra options copy or change previously set. Archive creation will start after the PC user clicks the "Start" button.

In fact, after reading the above information, any user of a personal computer and even a child who knows how to read, type on the keyboard and "click" the mouse, will understand how to create a disk image and will be able to perform all the necessary operations in practice.

After clicking the "Proceed" button, the actual creation of a disk image archive in automatic mode... At the end of the process, you will see a window informing that the operation was successful, and in another window, after clicking "OK", you will see the corresponding information about the newly created hard disk image or one of its partitions.

Disk images are a handy file that can contain several other files or even folders. Its main convenience lies in the fact that the image imitates an optical drive, as if deceiving the system. You can run the image and install the program as if you were doing it from a disk through a floppy drive. Such files can be created independently via special programs... In this article you will find detailed manual to create a disk image with files or from an existing physical disk in your drive. Try to create your first look along with the article.

Which program to choose to create a disk image

A large variety of specialized programs can be found on the Internet, for example:

  • UltraISO;
  • Alcohol;
  • Daemon Tools;
  • ISO Creator.

This article will use the Daemon Tools program as it is easy to use and has many different versions for any user. You can choose another program that suits you more, but their principle is approximately the same.

Go to Daemon Tools official website to download the program https://www.daemon-tools.cc

How to make a disk image from files

To create your own disk image from existing files and folders on your computer, follow this algorithm:

  • Finish downloading and installing Daemon Tools Lite. You need exactly Lite version, since it is designed for a narrow range of tasks and is easy to use, the rest of the versions are designed for more advanced users.
  • Installation will not take you much time.


  • After installation, you will find the program in the start menu of your computer.


  • Once Daemon Tools opens, find and click on the “New Image” tab.


  • In the window that appears, click on the "Create image with data" field.


  • This is where the customization of your image is done.
  • First of all, select the files that will be inside the image. To do this, click on the plus sign in the upper right corner.


  • Check all the files on your computer to be placed in the image.


  • Their list will appear in a small window in the middle of the screen.
  • Once you're done choosing the format for your image. If you do not know which one is better to choose, then give preference to ISO - this is a standard and universal image.


  • Now click on the "Save As" field and specify the folder in which the finished image will be saved. It is from there that you will take it and use it.


  • When all configuration is over, you can click on “Start” to start creating the image.

Wait for the image to complete its creation and validation. After that, you can take the finished ISO file in the folder you specified and use it.


How to create an image from an existing disk

It is very convenient to create an image from files, however, when you already have some kind of data disk, it will be easier to create an image from it, and not transfer the data to your computer and use the previous method.

  • In the "New Image" menu you can see the "Create Image from Disk" field. This is exactly the method that will come in handy in such a situation.


  • The setup is fast enough: you need to select your optical drive in the "Drive" field. The data disc should already be inserted in it.


  • In the “Format” field, select the desired format for the future disk image.


  • You can protect your image so that you can only open it with a password. To do this, put a tick next to the words "Protect", then write the password twice. Do not forget it and do not share the password with anyone.


  • The program also has advanced settings at the very bottom of the window.


  • They are suitable for advanced users who need to set their own speed and profile settings. If you do not understand what it is, then it is better to put this setting aside and not open this parameter.


  • Click “Start” and wait for the end of the recording. Do not touch the drive at this moment and rather take care of your personal affairs. Once the image is complete, you can use it.


Read how and what the ISO image is used for. How to create an ISO image from an optical disc, mount it to a virtual one optical disc your PC or extract data from it, if necessary. Personal stationary and mobile computer devices are very popular and are widely used in all spheres of our life. Each branch of the economy, education, health care, social culture, etc., one way or another, uses for its needs computer technology... All accounting, control, processing and storage of various information is carried out using such devices.

Content:

Naturally, for personal use, computer devices are widely used by users. Performing various tasks, communicating with electronic applications, creation of any information files, editing and exchange of sound, video files and images, sending and receiving emails, organization of leisure and entertainment and much more.

Unsurprisingly, to work correctly computer devices the availability of modern high-performance software is necessary, which will fully allow using their capabilities.

Most modern computer programs with a wide range of capabilities are delivered to the user on optical media or in some other way in a specific digital format. And quite often a situation arises when you need to save a copy of a specific disk. In this case, it can help "ISO image". ISO file(often called image "ISO") Is an archive file that contains an identical copy (or image) of data found on an optical disc such as a CD or "DVD disc"... This kind of file format is often used for Reserve copy optical discs or for distributing large sets of files to be burned to an optical disc.

What "ISO image"

Name "ISO" taken from the name of the file system used by optical media, usually this "ISO 9660"... Can you imagine an image "ISO" as a complete copy of everything stored on a physical optical disk such as "CD", "DVD" or "Blu-ray" disk, including its own file system... It is a sectoral copy of the disk, with no additional compression not used. Idea of ​​images "ISO" is that you can archive an exact digital copy of the disc, and then use this image to burn a new disc, which in turn is exact copy original. Most operating systems (and many "Utilities"- auxiliary computer programs performing specialized typical tasks for the correct operation of the hardware or operating system) also allow you to mount an image "ISO" as a virtual disk. In this case, all your applications treat it in the same way as if it were a real optical disc inserted into your personal computer's drive.

While many users use "ISO" to create backups of your optical disc, "ISO image", nowadays, is mainly used to distribute large programs and operating systems, as it allows you to store all files in one easily downloadable file. People can then decide if they want to mount this image for later use, or use it to burn an optical disc.

Most bootable operating systems including Windows and various distributions "Linux" are distributed as images "ISO"... This will come in handy when downloading current version "Ubuntu" for later installation on your computer, or to install any old game disc on a laptop in the absence of a real physical disc.

How to connect "ISO image"

Concept "Install ISO image" means that you will be mounting your disk image to a virtual optical disk. All of your applications will treat the mounted image as if it were a physical disk in your personal computer's drive.

Operating system versions Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 allow you to mount a disk image "ISO" without the involvement of additional third-party software. To do this, just open in the file explorer Windows the folder where the image of the required "ISO disc", and right-click on it to bring up a pop-up context menu. In the list of available actions that opens, select the section "To plug".


Or in file explorer Windows mark the required image with the left mouse button "ISO", and then on the ribbon of the main menu of the explorer in the tab in the section "Control" press the button "To plug".


If you use on your personal computer operating system Windows 7(or a previous, earlier version of the system), then you will need to install an additional third-party application, such as a free and easy-to-use application "WinCDEmu".

How to record "ISO image" to disk

OS Windows 7, 8 and 10 have the function of recording an image "ISO" to a disk directly embedded in the preinstalled services of the system itself. Everything you need to record "ISO image", so this is to insert an optical disc into the computer's drive, prepared for recording, and then use one of two methods to choose from. By analogy with the previously described connection methods "ISO image" you will need to open in file explorer Windows folder containing your "ISO image"... Now right-click on it and select a command from the pop-up context menu that opens.


Or mark the file with the left mouse button "ISO image" and in the tab in the section "Control" press the button.


Note: If your personal computer does not have a device that allows you to write to an optical disc, then you will not see this button. Also, if you have a file compression application installed (for example, "7-Zip") and it is associated with the file extension "ISO", this button will also be unavailable for you. We'll cover this in more detail in the next section.

V operating system "MacOS" recording function "ISO image" to disk works on the same principle as in the system Windows, so there is no need to describe it in detail.

How to extract data from an ISO image

If you don't want to mount "ISO image" or burn it to disk, but still you need to access the files stored inside, then you can extract its contents to your computer. For this you will need third party application, for example "WinRAR" or "7-Zip"... We will show you a way to get data from "ISO image" on the example of the application "WinRAR", but you can use whatever application you are used to working with.

If when installing the application "WinRAR" you associated it with the file extension ".Iso", then to open and view its contents, you only need to double-click the required "ISO image"... Depending on the size of the original "ISO file", the opening process may take a while, so please be patient.


You can copy any files from "ISO image" v regular folder by simply dragging and dropping them.

You can also extract the full content if you like "ISO image" to a regular folder. In the file explorer, just right click on "ISO image" and open the popup context menu. Among the available actions, you can use one of three sections of your choice, each containing a specific command to extract files. Command "Extract files" allows you to choose the location of the subsequent extraction of files yourself, the command "Extract to current folder" extracts files to the same location as the file "ISO image" and the command "Extract to "Folder name"» creates new folder at the location "ISO image" and gives it a name "ISO file".


Other file compression applications such as "7-Zip", work on the same principle and offer similar capabilities as the above application.

However, one important detail should be noted. If you are installing a file compression application such as "7-Zip" or "WinRar" and you let this application associate with files "ISO" then you will no longer see the built-in control commands "ISO images" in file explorer Windows for full-fledged work with them. Therefore, it is better to have a control "ISO images" in the file explorer, because you can still right-click them and access the compression application commands to extract data from "ISO image" whenever you want.

If you have already installed one of these applications, and it is associated with image files, then you can easily reassign the file extension "ISO" for file explorer Windows... To do this, you will have to use the application "Options". This application contains all the basic settings of the operating system. And developers Windows 10 intend to replace the application with it "Control Panel" to improve the user experience. Therefore, we will dwell in more detail on possible ways open the application "Options"... We will show you five ways to access the application, and you can choose any method you like for further use.

1 way: Open file explorer Windows "This computer"... On the Explorer main menu ribbon, select the tab "A computer"... On the panel that opens, the tabs in the section "System" press blue button with white gear "Open parameters".


2 way: Click the button in the lower left corner of the desktop "Start" located on "Taskbars", and open the main custom menu Windows... Select the button with the gear depicted on it in the left menu bar and open the application. Or on the list installed applications move the scroll bar down, and, in the corresponding menu item, select the section "Options".


3 way: Find on "Taskbars" button "Search", presented in the form of a magnifying glass and located next to the button "Start", and open the search bar. In the query field, enter search phrase "options"... The system will analyze and in the graph "Best match" click on the link of the application you are looking for.

4 way: Click the icon "Center Windows notifications» , which is located in the lower right corner of the desktop on "Taskbars"... In the pop-up sidebar of the menu, find, at the bottom of it, the buttons quick access... Press the button to open the required application. "All parameters".


5 way: The simplest and most quick way to call the application "Options"- press the keyboard shortcut together Windows + I and open the app immediately directly.


On home page go to section "Applications"... Next in the left pane new page Choose a section "Default Applications"... V right panel move the scroll bar down to the bottom of the page and click the text link.


The next window displays a very long list of file extensions. Using the scroll bar slider, find the extension in the list provided ".Iso"... Opposite the indicated icon in the right half of the window, click any application that is currently associated with a file extension ".Iso"... From the pop-up menu, select the file explorer option Windows.


How to create your own file "ISO" from optical disc

Process of creation "ISO file" from disks allows you to get digital backup physical disks. Then you can use the created ISO files to install them on computers that do not have optical drive... In the future, you can create additional copies of the disk image from the one you have, "ISO file" without using the original physical disk. And of course you can share it "ISO image" with other people.

While operating systems "MacOS" and "Linux" come pre-installed software which allows you to create "ISO image" from a physical disk, in the operating system Windows there is no such possibility. Instead, you will have to use a third party app to create "ISO file"

You may need to create an ISO image when you need to burn boot disk or a USB flash drive, for example with Windows, or copy a disc, for example with a game. To make an image desired disk, a special program is required.

There are several popular programs for burning ISO image files, both free and paid. One of the most popular paid programs, is Alcohol 120%, which allows you to both create ISO files and images, and emulate a virtual disk (drive).

Watch the video: how to create a disk image to a USB flash drive.

And probably the most popular free program for recording images, is CDBurner (Off. site: http://cdburnerxp.se). This program has more than sufficient functionality and allows you to perform most of the common operations with disks and flash drives, from creating images and copying disks, to recording audio and video. Also in CDBurner you can make an ISO image from any folders or files, for this you need to select them and move them to the project window.

The CDBurner interface is intuitive and easy to understand. If you have any questions, you can ask in the comments to this article.

Another shareware and quite popular program for ISO creation disk images - UltraISO (http://www.ezbsystems.com/ultraiso/index.html). The UltraISO program has a trial period during which you can try out the functionality, after which you will be offered to purchase a paid version. The maximum size of the created image in free version UltraISO - 300 MB (This is clearly not enough to write a bootable disk with Windows, but it will be enough for the test).

How to burn an ISO disk image to a USB flash drive (flash disk).

Sometimes, for example, if your laptop or netbook does not have a floppy drive, you need to write a disk image (most often a bootable disk with Windows OS) to a USB flash drive. Using flash drives is much more convenient and handy than slightly outdated CDs and DVDs. And in this we will again be helped by the UltraISO program.

Before writing the image file ISO disc to a USB flash drive, it needs to be formatted. To do this, go to "Start" - "Computer", right-click on the icon with your flash drive and select the appropriate menu item.

After the flash drive is formatted, run UltraISO program and in the upper left corner, click "File" - "Open" and select the required (previously created or downloaded) ISO image. After that, go to the "Boot" item - "Burn the hard disk image" and select our USB flash drive, then click "Record". Ready!

Advantage Windows installations from an ISO image recorded on a USB flash drive, in that it runs much faster and the probability of errors and interruption of the installation is minimal, unlike installation from a CD or DVD disc.

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