askvity

How to Extract ISO File in Windows 11?

Published in File Extraction 6 mins read

Extracting an ISO file in Windows 11 is straightforward, and you have multiple options ranging from the built-in features to using popular third-party software.

You can easily extract an ISO file's contents directly into a folder using Windows 11's built-in features or third-party archiver programs.

Understanding ISO Files

An ISO file, also known as an ISO image, is a single file that contains an exact copy of data from an optical disc, such as a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc. It's essentially a complete snapshot of the disc's file system and content, commonly used for distributing software, operating systems, or large data sets.

To access the files inside an ISO, you either need to "mount" it (making Windows think it's a physical disc inserted into a drive) or "extract" its contents into a standard folder.

Method 1: Using Windows 11's Built-in Mount Feature

Windows 11 has native support for mounting ISO files, which is often the easiest way to access the contents without needing additional software. Mounting an ISO creates a virtual drive letter on your system that behaves just like a physical drive containing the disc's data.

Steps to Mount and Access Files:

  1. Locate the ISO file: Open File Explorer and navigate to the location where your ISO file is saved.
  2. Mount the ISO:
    • Double-click the ISO file. In most cases, this will automatically mount it.
    • Alternatively, right-click the ISO file. From the context menu, select Mount.
  3. Access the virtual drive: A new virtual drive will appear in the "This PC" section of File Explorer, usually with a drive letter (e.g., D: or E:). Double-click this drive to open it and access the files inside the ISO, just as if it were a regular folder or a physical disc.
  4. Copy files (Optional): You can copy files and folders from this virtual drive to any location on your computer.
  5. Eject the ISO: When you are finished, right-click the virtual drive in "This PC" and select Eject to unmount the ISO.

Pros of Mounting:

  • No extra software required.
  • Quick and easy way to access files temporarily.
  • Leaves the original ISO file untouched.

Cons of Mounting:

  • Doesn't permanently place the files into a folder on your drive.
  • Less suitable if you need to modify files within the "extracted" structure or if programs expect the files in a standard directory.

Method 2: Extracting Using Third-Party Software

If you need to extract the contents of the ISO into a regular folder on your hard drive, you will need file archiving software. Several popular programs can handle ISO files.

Using WinRAR

As per the provided reference, WinRAR is a popular tool that supports extracting ISO files.

  • WinRAR is a popular file archiver and compressor tool that supports a wide range of archive formats, including ZIP, RAR, 7Z, CAB, TAR, and ISO.

Steps to Extract with WinRAR:

  1. Download and Install WinRAR: If you don't have WinRAR, download it from the official website and install it.
  2. Locate the ISO file: Go to the location of your ISO file in File Explorer.
  3. Right-click the ISO file: From the context menu that appears, you will see WinRAR options.
  4. Select "Extract to": According to the reference, you can simply right-click on an ISO file and select "Extract to" option from the context menu to extract its contents using WinRAR. This option usually prompts you to choose a destination folder, often suggesting a folder named after the ISO file itself (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\MyISO\).
  5. Choose Destination and Extract: Confirm or select the destination folder in the WinRAR dialog box and click OK or Extract. WinRAR will then extract all files and folders from the ISO into the specified location.

Using 7-Zip (Another Popular Free Option)

7-Zip is another highly recommended, free, and open-source file archiver that works very well with ISO files.

Steps to Extract with 7-Zip:

  1. Download and Install 7-Zip: Get it from the official 7-Zip website and install it.
  2. Locate the ISO file: Find the ISO file in File Explorer.
  3. Right-click the ISO file: Hover over the 7-Zip option in the context menu.
  4. Select Extraction Option:
    • Choose "Extract files..." to open a dialog box where you can select the destination folder and other options.
    • Choose "Extract Here" to extract contents directly into the current folder.
    • Choose "Extract to 'folder_name\'" (where 'folder_name' is the name of the ISO) to create a new subfolder with the ISO's name and extract contents there. This is often the neatest option.
  5. Complete Extraction: If you chose "Extract files...", confirm the destination and click OK. For the other options, the extraction starts immediately.

Pros of Extracting (with WinRAR/7-Zip):

  • Places all files directly into a standard folder on your hard drive.
  • Useful if you need to modify files or if a program requires the contents to be in a specific directory structure.
  • Does not require keeping the ISO mounted.

Cons of Extracting:

  • Requires installing third-party software.
  • Uses disk space to store the extracted files (in addition to the ISO itself).

Which Method Should You Use?

  • If you just need to view files or run an installer directly from the "disc": Use the Built-in Mount Feature. It's fast and requires no extra software.
  • If you need the ISO contents as standard files and folders on your hard drive: Use a Third-Party Tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip and extract the files.

Both methods are effective ways to access the data stored within an ISO file in Windows 11.

Related Articles