An ISO file, also known as an ISO image, is a disc image of all the installation files for a single program. Particularly large programs, such as Microsoft Office and the Windows operating system, are made available as ISO files. How you install an application from its ISO file will depend on the version of Windows you’re running.
In Windows, you can mount the ISO file as a virtual drive and install the software from there. You’re also able to burn the ISO file to a disc or copy it to a USB drive and install it from the physical media. If you download Windows 10 or 11 as an ISO file, you’ll need to burn the file to a bootable DVD or copy it to a bootable USB drive to install it on your target computer.
Mount the ISO File in Windows
Download the ISO image, open File Explorer, and right-click on the file. From the pop-up menu, select the Mount command. Alternatively, you can simply double-click the ISO file to mount it. Doing so will then open a virtual drive that’s visible in File Explorer, from which you can install the software.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
On the virtual drive, you should find a setup.exe file (or something similar) for installing the program. Double-click that file to install the program.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
After the installation has finished, open the This PC folder in File Explorer so you can see all your disc drives. To unmount the ISO file, right-click on the virtual drive (it will have a drive letter of D or E, depending on your configuration) and click Eject to remove the virtual drive, though your ISO file will remain on the computer.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
This is usually a simple process, but sometimes a third-party program can disable the built-in Mount command so it doesn’t appear in the menu. If this happens, you’ll need to reset your default program to bring the command back.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
In Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and click Windows Disc Image Burner in the list of apps. Click the name of the third-party program and change it to Windows Explorer. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, then scroll to the bottom and click Set defaults by app. Click Windows Disc Image Burner > Manage, then choose the name of the third-party program and change it to Windows Explorer.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
Return to File Explorer and right-click the ISO file again. The Mount command should now appear in the menu. Alternatively, double-click the file, and it should now mount correctly.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
Burn the ISO File to Disc
Another option is to simply burn the ISO file to a CD or DVD, or copy it to a USB drive and install it from there. This is a useful method if you wish to store the program on a disc that you can install in any version of Windows. You’d also go this route if you want to install Windows from an ISO file onto a clean machine.
Insert a blank disc into the disc drive (you can purchase an internal or external drive). Open File Explorer and right-click on the ISO file. In Windows 10, select the Burn disc image command. In Windows 11, click Show more options and then select Burn disc image.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
The Windows Disc Image Burner tool pops up and should point to your CD/DVD drive. Click the Burn button to proceed. Once the ISO is burned to the disc, your drive may open so you can remove the disc. Depending on your installation settings, you can then install your program from the disc automatically by placing it in the drive of a PC or by double-clicking the setup file in File Explorer.
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(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
Another option is the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool, a free Microsoft utility. This tool copies the contents of the ISO file to a CD, DVD, or USB drive so you can then install the program from the disc or USB drive, which becomes bootable. It’s a good method if you want to install an ISO of Windows on a clean computer or as part of a dual-boot setup.
Microsoft no longer offers this utility on its website, but you can still find it at other sites, including FileHippo and Major Geeks. Download the Windows7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool-Installer.exe file, right-click on it, and then choose Run as Administrator. Once the installation is complete, launch the tool, then browse to and select the ISO file you wish to burn. Click Next, then choose either USB device or DVD.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
USB: If you choose USB, you’re asked to insert the USB media. Be sure to pick the right USB storage if you have multiple drives plugged into your PC. Click Begin copying to copy the file onto the drive. If the USB drive still contains data, it will be erased. Click Erase USB Drive to make room for the Windows files. After the files have been copied, the tool will tell you that the Bootable USB device was created successfully. You can then use your USB device to install the program.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
DVD: If you choose a DVD, insert a blank DVD into your drive and click Begin burning. The tool will inform you once the DVD has been successfully burned. You can now use your bootable DVD to install the program.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
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