Creating a virtual drive in UltraISO
Depending on the emulator program, you can install five or six or even 10-20 virtual drives on a computer, and all this will not cost the user a dime, while the number of physical drives is usually limited to one or two.
Most users use CD/DVD drive emulation software for the following purposes:
Run CD/DVD images from a hard drive without having to burn it to a physical optical drive.
- Increasing the speed of data access (the speed of the hard drive is much higher than the optical one).
- Backup multiple disc image files to a new hard drive, much easier than burning multiple new CD/DVDs.
- Prevent CD/DVD discs from being scratched or worn out by frequent use.
- Save a copy of the optical disc to your computer's hard drive, in case of damage, loss or theft.
- Free up workspace by getting rid of a large number of physical disks.
- Run disk images from a laptop or netbook that does not have built-in CD / DVD drives or with the drive turned off (to save battery power).
- Grant disk access to users on the network.
- Drive encryption for security.
Considering most of the above goals, all of the following CD/DVD emulators are reviewed and rated according to the following parameters:
The number of virtual drives available.
- Support for ISO and other image formats.
- Ability to create a disk image from CD / DVD.
- Interface and additional functions.
Review
- this wonderful product allows you to mount an ISO file (or a disk image in another format) on a virtual drive created with this program. Once the image is mounted, it will show up in Windows Explorer as a "real" CD/DVD or hard drive.
Gizmo Drive supports up to 26 virtual drives. Besides ISO, it also works with other images including VHD, IMG, BIN, CUE, NRG, CCD, MDS, MDF and GDRIVE.
In addition to running disk images on virtual drives, Gizmo Drive is useful when creating ISO images (both disks and individual folders), or for burning the contents of an ISO file or folder to an optical disc. To perform various tasks, the program provides a special manager and image wizard.
The user interface of Gizmo Drive is informative and helpful. Additional functions programs include creating GDRIVE images to simulate a compressed and encrypted hard disk, creating a virtual hard disk with system memory support to improve performance in accessing time sensitive data, etc.
Another emulator designed to create and manage virtual CD/DVD drives. From allows you to run many types of disc images without burning them to a CD or DVD. Also, this program will help you create disc images and save them in various formats (including ISO, BIN/CUE, NRG and UIF).
MagicDisc Virtual DVD/CD-ROM has a simple interface and supports up to 15 virtual drives at the same time. Other features supported by this program include compression of various formats (ISO, NRG, CUE, MDS, CCD) to UIF, and recovery of UIF to ISO. The function of burning images to CD / DVD discs is not supported by this program.
Another easy-to-use emulator is called . With it, a disk image can be mounted on a virtual drive in just two clicks. Just like with the above mentioned programs, this is achieved using helper commands that appear in the context menu of Windows Explorer and are used to mount and unmount images.
AT latest versions Virtual CloneDrive can be installed (as in MagicDisc Virtual DVD/CD-ROM) up to 15 virtual drives. The original useful features of the utility also include automatic mounting of the last image and special icons that denote virtual drives (to distinguish them from physical ones).
Virtual CloneDrive supported formats include ISO, CCD, IMG, UDF, BIN, etc., but NRG, MDF/MDS and some others are not supported. This, as well as the lack of the ability to create and burn disc images, is a minus of this program.
Other programs
In addition to the above products, there are whole line free programs that perform similar functions. Below you can view a list of some of them:
Alcohol 52% Free Edition is a cut down version of the commercial product Alcohol 120%. The free version is limited to 6 virtual drives, and installs a search bar in your browser (can be disabled). Additional features - a CD / DVD manager and a wizard for creating images in ISO, MDS, CCD and CUE formats.
DAEMON Tools Lite only supports 4 virtual drives. Supported formats include ISO, ISZ, CCD, CDI, CUE, MDS, NRG, BWT, PDI, etc. DAEMON Tools Lite also allows you to create images in ISO and MDS formats. This program, like the previous one, installs an additional search bar in your browser and changes the main search provider.
Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel - free utility from Microsoft, running on the Windows XP operating system, and allowing you to add virtual drives from A to Z, or remove them. Supported formats: ISO, UDF, CDFS, ROCK or JO. Cons - not very friendly interface and the lack of the ability to create images.
WinCDEmu is an open source program that allows you to mount CD/DVD images with a simple click on the desired file. To unmount an image, you just need to double-click on it again, or extract the corresponding drive using the context menu. The utility supports ISO, CUE, NRG, MDS/MDF, CCD, IMG formats and works in operating systems from WinXP to Win7. Cons - the lack of an uninstaller, and the inability to create images.
Users who made the early "zero" probably remember those times when films, computer games, programs and music were delivered to our computers only with the help of CD / DVD discs common at that time. No one knew about the free download of data on the Internet, torrents and youtube. The situation was saved by optical drives, with the help of which information was transferred to the computer's hard drive.
The rapid development of Internet technologies has called into question the need to have such a component as a "disk drive". In the current stationary systems and laptops rarely see the presence of a drive. All because of the virtual disks, which replaced the "blanks" and became commonplace. However, not everyone has had a comfortable transition to the new technology. In this article, we will try to correct this situation and explain in detail the essence of the creation process, the nuances of use and other questions that have repeatedly arisen for everyone who does not know how to use a virtual CD ROM.
When it might be needed
Many may doubt the idea of using the innovation that has taken root for some and simply continue to use the optical drive, overwriting images and information with it on physical media. However, the archaic version loses in some cases, the most common of which are:
- Disk drive missing or defective. Any part does not have an eternal life. Sooner or later, a problem may arise, and it’s good if it doesn’t happen at the most necessary moment (which happens often according to the “law of meanness”). In addition, the “system unit” that receives a disk with information from you may simply not have an optical drive. But a virtual CD-ROM is on any modern PC (if you devote some time to creating it).
- Multichannel. I rarely come across computers that have multiple drives at once. Users who often work with writing and reading discs had to constantly rearrange CD / DVD. There are no such problems with virtual disks, which means you can work with several at once.
- Ease of data transfer. To exchange information recorded on a disc, you need to personally transfer the media to the receiving party. In the case of virtually recorded images, the transfer is carried out online, over the Internet.
Creating a virtual CD-ROM
To read virtual images (iso files; mdf, bwi, mds and others), you need to create a virtual CD-ROM, which, like an optical drive, plays (emulates) data from the drive. You can make a virtual disk using special software, such as Daemon Tools, Virtual Drive. Their principle of operation is identical, and the functionality is largely similar. For example, we took the last of those listed, since it is very easy to handle even a user far from such processes with its capabilities and tools.
- First, download the installer for the Alcohol 120% program from the link from the Yandex disk, or on the official website of the developer. Install on your computer.
- We start the program. First of all, we need to create a virtual CD drive. To do this, in the "Settings" section, select the option « Virtual Disk» .
- In the menu that opens, manually select the number of virtual disks to create. Confirm the result by pressing the OK button.
The drive has been successfully created, which we can observe in the "Device" panel or in the "My Computer" folder.
- Now let's open the finished image. To do this, select the tab "File", and in the menu that opens, click on "Open ..." (or just use the key combination Ctrl + O).
- We find the image file we need, select it with LMB and click on the button "Open".
The image has been added to the library for processing.
- Now you need to read the file added earlier. To do this, select the RMB image, and in the drop-down menu, select the option "Mount to device".
Work is done. We can observe the result in the folder "Computer", where among the reading devices there will be an installer located in a virtual drive.
After the performed operations with the image, it is necessary to extract it from the virtual drive. To do this, using the Alcohol 120% program, in the menu of available drives, select our BD-ROM with the right mouse button and select the function in the list "Dismantle Image". The disk will be empty again.
If you want to remove the virtual drive altogether, you need to repeat the same steps as when creating it:
- In the available devices, click on the DVD / CD drive RMB. In the list that appears, click "Properties".
- Set the value back to "0", in the section for selecting the number of virtual disks and click "OK".
Adding a virtual hard disk
The above opportunities have been available to many for a decade now. The popularity of using a virtual device for reading information has led to the emergence of a similar phenomenon called a virtual hard disk. This technology allows you to create a file (having the extension VHD), which in Explorer appears as a standard partition on your hard drive. The rationality of using a virtual drive is up to everyone to decide for themselves: some reorganize the free space on volumes in this way, others even install the OS. Do not forget about the possibility of creating a secure file container, thus limiting information from encroachment by other users.
We will create a virtual hard disk using standard Windows tools(this feature is available in Windows systems 7, 8.1, 10). However, with the help of special software, you can achieve a similar result. Daemon Tools Ultra and Disk2vhd handle this task most effectively. These programs have separate sections devoted to creating virtual disks (both drives and drives like HDDs).
- Open the Run service by simultaneously pressing the Win + R keys. In an empty line, enter the command diskmgmt.msc and click "OK".
- Service will open "Disk Management". In the control menu, activate the tab "Action", and in it select "Create Virtual Hard Disk".
- In the window that appears, you need to specify the location of the created file, select the format ( VHD / VHDX), and also determine the possibility of the file extension.
- The file has been created, but the disk has not yet been initialized. By clicking on the RMB disk, select the option "Initialize Disk".
- In the next window, you must specify the partition style (we recommend GUID if you intend to limit yourself to the standard options for working with allocated space).
Connecting a drive after restarting the PC
Unfortunately, working with virtual hard drive requires re-attaching the VHD/VHDX file after each session ends. Fortunately, we do not have to create a new disk, initialize a partition, and create a volume. To return the virtual disk to work (emulate data), you must perform the following steps:
We hope that with the help of our article you learned how to create a virtual disk, and also determined the benefits of using it for yourself.
And also watch the video
Last week we asked you to share your favorite disk image tools, then we rounded up the five most popular responses for a vote. Now we're back to highlight your favorite. DAEMON Tools led the pack by a comfortable margin with 40% of the vote.
Softpedia.com DAEMON Tools Lite is a software solution that will impress you, especially thanks to its advanced features that can deal with virtually all image formats on the market. Reliable application that creates virtual drives on your computer, providing you with the possiblity to emulate CDs and DVDs for instant access.
PCWorld.com If you spend a lot of time swapping and hence waiting on CDs or DVDs to mount, Daemon Tools Lite is worth its weight in gold. Even if you don "t, it" s a program you should download to keep in your bag of tricks--you "ll find a use for it eventually.
Download.com The advantage is that you can burn the images you"re using with DAEMON Tools Lite right away or just test an image before burning it to see if it was created correctly. DAEMON Tools Lite works with most image formats.
Filecluster.com Pros
- Small and highly stable program.
- Low resource requirements.
- Simple and functional interface...
Software.Informer.com DAEMON Tools Lite manages to be more comprehensive and feature-rich than many of its competitors. And that "s quite remarkable, especially considering that DAEMON Tools Lite is free while many of its competitors are not.
downloads.tomsguide.com As a disc imaging tool, Daemon Tools Lite's free nature automatically makes it a lot better than many competing applications simply because it offers most of what they offer at the vastly reduced price of free.
www.techadvisor.co.uk When you have a disc that you know you"ll need to access regularly, then, DAEMON Tools Lite allows you to create an image in just a couple of clicks. This then shows up in its Image Catalog for speedy reloading later, and you can put the real disc away.
techgyd.com Daemon Tools Lite is one of the best software for emulating and organizing your disc images. The software is very easy to use and fulfills all your disc related requirements. The virtual drives support is amazing.
maddownload.com If you are looking for the best software to work with ISO, MDX, MDS, and MDX files? Well, you have come to the right place. DAEMON Tools Lite is an easy and ready to use downloadable software compatible with Windows. It is well known reputable software that gives you the power of having a DVD-ROM emulator right into the comfort of your own home.
GIGA.de Mit dem Daemon Tools Lite Download könnt ihr virtuelle Images erstellen, speichern und einbinden sowie virtuelle Laufwerke emulieren.
Good day everyone!
Ordinary CD/DVDs, no matter how sad it may be, are losing their popularity year by year (they used to be sold at every corner ☻). Still, the development of network technologies is doing its job ...
Meanwhile, there is another side of the coin - the so-called virtual disks - a separate file(s) based on exact copy physical CD/DVD. They are also called images. The most popular image formats are: ISO, BIN, MDS/MDF, NRG, CCD. By the way, now a lot of files are transferred over the network in images (for example, even to create bootable flash drive with Windows - you must first download the installation image with the system from the Microsoft website).
You can’t open such an image just like that, you need (you guessed it) a special virtual drive (or drive. Also called CD/DVD emulators).
In general, I decided to build this article in the form of questions and answers on working with images (of which there are always a lot). Along the way, I will present programs that best cope with the task. I think it will be easier to present the basics for an inexperienced reader. And so, let's get started...
The most popular questions about working with virtual disks
❶. How to create a virtual disk/ISO image, etc.
First of all, to get started, I recommend installing one program - Daemon Tools (Lite version, it is free and its capabilities for creating and emulating images are more than enough). And in general, in my opinion, it is one of the best (and most popular, by the way) programs for working with disk images. I definitely recommend for installation and familiarization.
Daemon Tools (Lite)
This program allows you to mount almost all types of images, and also emulates the simultaneous operation of up to 4 drives. In addition, the program allows you to burn ready-made images to physical discs, convert from one format to another, create protected images, and much more (by the way, some of the functions are paid, unfortunately). The program organizes the storage of images quite well: you can always find the right disk from your collection.
And so, let's say we have several CDs with music, games that are often used, and you are just tired of inserting them into the drive (and over time, discs deteriorate, scratch, and make noise when inserted into the drive). Therefore, it is logical, having made images of these disks once, you can use them easily and without noise.
1) First you need to insert the CD into a real physical drive.
3) After that, you need to specify the drive with the disk, specify the folder where the image will be saved, and the image format (in my example, I chose ISO). To start copying, press the "Start" button.
5) When the image is ready, you will see a message that the operation was successfully completed, as in the screenshot below.
In general, that's all. Now you can use this image (only you first need to create a virtual drive, more on that below).
❷. How to create a virtual CD/DVD-Rom drive/emulator
Let's use the same Daemon Tools...
First you need to run the program and click "Add drive" (in the left menu of the program).
A new drive should appear at the bottom of the window: in my case, under the letter "F: (empty)".
DAEMON Tools Lite - new drive (F:)!
❸. How to open images: ISO, MDF, NRG, etc. and run the application from them
After the virtual disk drive in Daemon Tools has been created, you can start opening and reading images in it. In general, Daemon Tools opens almost any images: ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG (even archives, 7z, rar, zip, etc.).
At the bottom of the window - left-click on the virtual drive (which we created in the previous step). See screenshot below.
DAEMON Tools Lite - first left click on the drive
If you have disabled the automatic launch of CD / DVD discs (and nothing appeared on the screen), go to "My Computer / This Computer": among the drives there should be a virtual one, with a disk (i.e. image) that we opened.
If you are asked whether to allow this application to make changes - answer yes (at least for familiar drives ...).
❹. How to Burn an Image to a Physical CD/DVD
Daemon Tools, of course, can burn images to physical discs, but this feature is only available in the paid version of the program. Therefore, it is better to use analogues, especially since there are enough free versions in this segment.
Why not Nero? Because the Nero package is paid, it weighs several gigabytes, it is very "brake" and clumsy. Hardly many people will use at least a tenth of its functions (not to mention the fact that most just need to burn a disc and that's it ...).
CDBurnerXP
CDBurnerXP- free program for burning CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. The program also works great with ISO images, allowing you to not only create them, but also burn them to physical discs. The program supports dozens of languages (including Russian). Works in Windows XP/7/8/9/10.
Key features:
- record data (files, documents, pictures, etc.) on any type of disk;
- recording audio CDs;
- creating and burning ISO images;
- creation of boot (installation) disks;
- BIN/NRG image converter → to ISO;
- the ability to print covers.
After starting the program, press the button "Burning the ISO Image to Disc" (see screenshot below).
Then specify the ISO image to be burned, the physical drive, the burning speed (highlighted in yellow in the screenshot below - by the way, do not set the highest speed, errors are possible) and click "Burn Disc". In general, this is all - in 10-15 minutes. your disc will be burned!
Burn Settings // CDBurnerXP
❺. What other programs can be used to work and read images
Alcohol 120%
Alcohol 120% is an excellent and very powerful imaging program. It does everything: creates images, mounts them into virtual drives, burns them, creates a library on your PC (for quick search and reading).
Although the program is paid, there is a free trial period of 15 days (and there is also a free version with reduced features). In general, I recommend to get acquainted!
Key features:
- creation of up to 31 virtual drives;
- creation of disk images (support for formats: MDF/MDS, CCD, BIN/CUE, ISO, CDI, etc.);
- burning from disc images: CD, DVD and Blu-ray;
- erasing discs: CD-RW, DVD-RW and BD-RE;
- search and creation of a library from image files on the PC hard drive;
- the presence of an audio converter for working with audio CDs.
Ultra ISO
Official website: https://www.ezbsystems.com/ultraiso/
Very powerful program for working with ISO-images. It allows you to create them from real discs, burn them, emulate them in a virtual drive, and, most importantly, edit them on the fly. Those. you can open the iso image, remove from it junk file(or add) and save the image. Actually, it is done very quickly!
In addition, the program will help create a bootable (installation) disk, USB flash drive. You can also try to compress current ISO images, etc. In general, I recommend everyone who works with ISO to have it on their PC...
Burn4Free
A very reliable and simple program for working with CD/DVDs. Allows you to perform almost the entire range of tasks that may be required by the average PC user. With all this, it takes up very little space on your hard drive (several megabytes!).
Main advantages:
- burning CD / DVD discs in a few mouse clicks;
- the program is very light and simple, the design is made in the style of minimalism;
- you can copy audio CDs of various formats (WAV, FLAC, WavPack, WMA, etc.);
- support for SCSI - IDE / EIDE - SATA - USB;
- Russian language support;
- creating and burning ISO images;
- the ability to record MP3 discs;
- support for all versions of Windows: 10, 8, 7, Vista, 2008, 2003, XP, 2000, 98;
- support for most drive models (more than 4000!).
In general, I’ll add on my own that this program worked even in cases where its counterparts refused to either start or see the drive. I recommend having it in your arsenal for anyone who often works with ISO or optical discs.
Virtual Clone Drive
This program is free and designed to create a virtual drive. The program is very simple and reliable. Supports up to 15 virtual drives, fully integrated into Windows Explorer for easier and faster operation.
In general, compared to many similar programs in this spectrum, it stands out noticeably. I recommend to get acquainted.
Key features:
- support for all popular image formats: ISO, BIN, IMG, UDF, DVD, CCD;
- emulation of up to 15 virtual drives (CD, DVD, and Blu-ray);
- there is a history of using images (for faster search and reading of the desired file);
- convenient embedding in the explorer (now any image can be opened with a couple of mouse clicks!).
Instruction completed...
Successful work!