Use this Microsoft tool to mount .ISO image files in Windows 7, XP and Vista

Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel Microsoft

If you still running Windows 7, Vista or Windows XP, Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel is the tool you need to mount disk image files.

Virtual CD-ROM is a tool just released by Microsoft and is very useful to get inside of disk image files (.udf, .cdfs, .jo, .iso, or .rock) to recover a file and to install an application in Windows without having to burn and waste a CD or DVD for something you’ll be doing once.

One thing to make clear is that “Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel” was created by Microsoft, but it is not supported, the company is saying “use at your own risk”. And you’ll also notice that I didn’t mentioned Windows 8, that is because the OS can natively mound an image file without having to install extra software.

Instructions

1. At first glance, this tool is pretty easy to install and use, just download, zip the folder, and double-click VCdControlTool.exe.

2. Click Drive control

3. If the Install Driver button appears, click it. Navigate to the %systemroot%\system32\drivers folder, select VCdRom.sys, and click Open.

4. Click Start and OK.

5. Then click Add Drive — Here make sure you select a drive letter that isn’t already used by any other drive.

6. Click Mount, find the image file you want to mount and click OK. When you are done, simply go to the Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel and click Eject.

Source Microsoft via Windows4Live

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].