Reading an ISO file, which is an archive file of an optical disc like a CD or DVD, involves a process called "mounting" the image. Here's how to do it using Windows File Explorer, according to the provided reference:
Steps to Mount an ISO Image
Here's a step-by-step guide based on the reference:
- Locate the ISO file:
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to the folder where your ISO image file is stored.
- Mount the ISO image:
- Right-click on the ISO file.
- From the context menu, select the "Mount" option. This action creates a virtual drive with the contents of the ISO.
- Access the mounted drive:
- The mounted ISO will appear as a new drive in the File Explorer’s "This PC" section. It will be listed under "Devices and drives".
- Double-click this new drive to open it.
- View the extracted files:
- The contents of the ISO image, files and folders, will now be accessible as if they were on a physical disc. You can browse and access the files contained within.
Example:
Imagine you have an ISO file named software_install.iso. Here's how you would read it:
- Locate
software_install.isowithin your file system. - Right-click the file and select mount.
- A new drive, typically with a letter like "E:" or "F:", will appear.
- Open the drive to view the software installation files.
Important Points
- Mounting an ISO image doesn't change the original ISO file. It's a read-only representation of the content.
- Once you are done using the files, you can right click on the mounted drive in File Explorer and select "Eject" to unmount the image.
- Various programs also allow you to mount or extract an ISO image. However, Windows natively provides this capability as described above.
