How to Mount an ISO Image

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Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: August 10, 2022 Tested

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On Windows

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On Mac

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On Linux

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to use an ISO file without first burning it to a disc by "mounting" it onto your computer's CD drive. You can mount an ISO on both Windows and Mac computers.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

On Windows

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Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Click the folder icon in the lower-left side of the Start window.

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Click the folder in which your ISO is stored (e.g., Downloads) on the left side of the File Explorer, then open any additional folders in the main window until you arrive at your ISO file.
Click the ISO file to select it.
You'll find this option in the upper-left side of the window. A toolbar will appear below it.
It's in the "Manage" section of the toolbar. Doing so will mount your ISO file onto your computer's CD drive.
This folder is on the left side of the File Explorer, though you may need to scroll up or down on the left-hand column to see it.
Double-click your ISO's name below the "Devices and drives" heading in This PC. It will resemble a CD on a drive. Your ISO's contents will open.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

On Mac

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Click the blue, face-like app in your Mac's dock.
Click the folder in which your ISO is stored (e.g., Downloads) on the left side of the Finder, then open any additional folders in the main window until you arrive at your ISO file.
This will immediately mount the ISO to your Mac.
4
Click the ISO's name. In the left-hand column of the Finder, you should see your ISO's name appear below the "Devices" heading; click it here to open the ISO.
- You can also double-click the ISO icon that appears on your Mac's desktop after mounting.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

On Linux

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1
Open a terminal window or TTY console if you do not have one open already. See How to Open a Terminal Window in Ubuntu for instructions if you are using Ubuntu.
2
Create a directory to use as a mountpoint. This is the directory you go to to view the contents of the ISO image. Directories in Linux are created with the mkdir command. For example:

mkdir /home/wikihow/iso

will create a directory named iso in the home directory of the user wikihow.
3
Enter the mount command with the proper paths and options

If your Linux distribution uses the sudo command, enter sudo mount -o ro /path/to/iso/image /home/wikihow/iso
If your Linux distribution does not use the sudo command, enter the command su. You will be prompted for a password. After entering it, you will have a root shell. Then enter mount -o ro '/path/to/iso/image' '/home/wikihow/iso'
Note: ISO images are always mounted read-only (ro). Using the -o ro option simply removes the warning about being write-protected.

Community Q&A

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Question

What if I don't have a CD drive?

Emberos.exe

Community Answer

Then you can always extract the ISO files with the UltraISO application. There are a lot of tutorials online on how to use UltraISO.

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Question

Can I use this with games?

Zachary Underwood

Community Answer

Yes, if you've downloaded a .ISO file and it is a game, then you can mount it and run setup/play it!

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Question

Will the Windows 8 section work in Windows 10?

joeycode2

Community Answer

There are alternative instructions provided in another answer; however, the instructions may work as-is.

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Tips

If you want to boot from an ISO in order to install a different operating system, you'll still need to put it on a disc.

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