Program interface: Russian
Platform: XP / 7 / Vista / 8
Manufacturer: Daemon-tools.com
Website: www.daemon-tools.cc
Daemon tools is a light version of one of the most powerful and versatile programs, since it has many functionalities that are not available to other applications, and is designed to emulate various kinds of virtual drives. In other words, by creating a virtual disk image, you no longer need to insert an original CD or DVD every time you use an application. This is especially true for licensed software and many games, since a minimum part of the programs is installed on the hard disk, and the rest of the files necessary for the correct operation of programs or games are on the original disks.
Main features of Daemon Tools Lite
First of all, it is worth noting that the program is able to create up to 4 virtual disks, which any operating system will recognize as real. The same applies to various system utilities.
With the help of such virtual drives, the program can recognize any disc images, such as CUE / BIN, ISO, CCD, BWT, MDS, CDI, NRG, PDI, B5T, The only limitation of the light version concerns the inability to emulate such popular discs as PlayStation, X -BOX, GameCube, because on a regular drive, be it CD-R (W), DVD-R (W) or Blu-ray, such discs with games are simply not readable. The operating system does not support such formats, and it does not detect the presence of a disk in the device.
However, when reading a disk image, its recognition is not always supported, if the image was recorded using programs from different manufacturers of utilities of a similar nature. We must give it its due, Daemon Tools Lite has no flaws in this regard. The program detects images recorded using BlindWrite, CloneCD, Nero, Alcohol 120%, FantomCD, DiscDump or Disc Juggler without the need to install additional utilities (which, by the way, are not always free). No less, an interesting function is the ability to add audio CDs or DVDs previously recorded to the hard drive to a virtual drive, as if you were inserting such a disc into a regular drive. And that's not all!
Many discs contain very complex protection to avoid pirated copying. Daemon Tools Lite copes with this problem perfectly, allowing you to simply bypass it. The program easily "skips" modern protection methods such as SafeDisc (C-Dilla), Securom and Laserlock, CDCOPS, StarForce and Protect CD! From the point of view of copyright protection, this, of course, is illegal, however, it has its own convenience for fans of, say, games or for copying licensed discs with films or software.
I must say that the developers did a great job. It is unlikely that there is still such a powerful and advanced program that supports a huge number of interfaces, images and utilities with which these images were created. Of course, the program does not belong to the category of free ones, however, many users are ready to spend the required amount to purchase this product. But in the end, they get almost unlimited possibilities when working with various types of disks and virtual drives.
A virtual disk image is essential for storing very important information. By creating ISO images, any game can be played without having a real disc. It is enough to create an emulated disc, and then mount it in the drive and you can enjoy the information recorded on it. Today there are dozens of programs from developers around the world. Some of them can be bought, others are distributed free of charge. Among such a multitude, it is difficult for an inexperienced user to find a truly useful product. Let's take a look at the best options offered by the manufacturer of disk imaging software.
Option 1: CDBurnerXP
CDBurnerXP is a powerful utility that works with any disks and images. Capable of writing, rewriting, erasing data on a disk. It is a free product that has proven itself well among users. Allows you to create any bootable discs, save multimedia files to your hard drive. CDBurnerXP easily creates a convenient virtual disk with the * .iso extension. Works with multisession disks in all windows operating systems (7,8,10). To create a virtual ISO image, the user needs to follow 3 simple steps:
Option 2: ImgBurn
In terms of ease of use and intuitive interface, this free program can be called one of the most convenient. However, even on the official website, you won't find a clean executable file. Unwanted software is also hidden in the standard installer package.
If you are not jarred by this fact or if you have a powerful antivirus, feel free to take this application and use it. By the way, no suspicious activity was detected in Windows 10, but you still need to be careful. Developer website: www.imgburn.com.
ImgBurn is a functional program with a simple interface. With its help, you can create a boot disk for installing the Windows 7 operating shell. When downloading, by default, the program is downloaded in English, but, if you wish, you can always download the crack file from the official source, and then insert the file with the Russian language into the Language folder.
The application can create virtual images from disks, from files. It is very easy to create an image from a file: just click on the corresponding icon and add files and directories to create an image.
Option 3: ISO Workshop
ISO Workshop is another option for creating an ISO image. Simple interface, works with images *. cue. Working with files of this format allows you to record images of albums in uncompressed form.
The main function of ISO Workshop can be considered the ability to record an image, as well as extract from it. The program allows you to check disks for errors, as well as erase them. Link to the official resource: http://www.glorylogic.com/iso-workshop.html.
It is enough to select "Convert" and the necessary window will open in front of you
Option 4: Ashampoo Burning Studio
A user-friendly program with an attractive interface is absolutely free. Supports a number of formats besides the well-known ISO. Works with any disc. Creation of emulated drives is just one of the functions of Ashampoo Burning Studio. With this software, you can easily rewrite discs several times, copy any discs. For those who need to create a virtual disk with files, follow these guidelines:
Option 5: UltraISO
It is difficult to analyze utilities without such a giant as UltraISO. The program belongs to the paid representatives of the family of drive emulators. Works with a large number of files, creates virtual disks and writes images to a real optical disk.
More and more users are confronted with the concept of "ISO-image". Many files on the network are distributed with this extension. Let's consider what it is, what it is for and how to create a virtual disk.
Any virtual optical disc can be read as an ISO image. This is a regular file that is no different from others. This type of extension cannot store service information as in the original CD, so you should not count on 100% similarity.
The term "ISO" is taken from the "ISO 9660" file system. This type is used in all CD, DVD, Blu-ray. Most often used to correctly write data to new disks. An archived copy of an optical disc does not use additional compression, so there is no need to perform unnecessary steps before recording.
Creating an ISO image makes it possible to copy and replicate licensed software, which allows you to significantly save on buying a new one. The bottom line is to bypass the protection against unlicensed distribution. If files from a licensed disk are used on a USB flash drive, then use will be unavailable. When installing via an image, it is easy to fool the system, because it creates the appearance of installing via the original CD.
Programs and utilities for creating ISO images on Windows
To create an optical disc image, you need to use special software on your computer. Let's take a look at 6 of the best utilities.
Ultra ISO program
One of the most famous utilities is "UltraISO"... This software is paid, but fully justifies its cost. A free version is available that limits the virtual disk size to 300 MB. Works with over 30 different extensions, multivolume images and is able to generate MD5 checksums.
First of all, you need to download and install "UltraISO" from the official site. It is not recommended to trust third-party services, as there is a high probability of "catching" a virus on your device. Be sure to check the resource from which you download the software!
Windows Explorer will be available at the bottom of the program. You must select the files to create the image. This is done by right-clicking on the folder and selecting the "Add" item from the menu that appears. As soon as the user adds everything needed, you need to click on the "File" button in the upper left corner and click on "Save". "UltraIOS" will offer the option to save, choose the required format yourself.
Poweriso program
Utility "Poweriso" is intended for use not only with Windows, but also with other operating systems. For full use, you need to buy a licensed version on the developer's official website. The "Free" version includes some restrictions - the size of the image is up to 300 MB and the appearance of a boot dialog at every start. Freebie lovers can download the pirated version on third-party resources, but you need to be careful and check the site.
After that, the created virtual disk can be used as you like.
BurnAware Free
Using the program BurnAware Free users can not only create images, but also burn real discs. Burning means recording information. The utility is free and has a Russian interface. Consider using it to create an image from a regular disk.
As you can see, the use of this application is extremely simple.
The "imgBurn" utility
"ImgBurn"- free software for Windows. With this application, you can burn information to optical discs, save ISO on your computer and much more. More than 20 different formats are supported.
After that, "imgBurn" will report successful creation and display the result on the screen.
You can use the virtual disk as you like.
Alcohol 120 program
Another free application - "Alcohol 120"... Creates only copies of optical discs in the form of images and writes information to them.
As you can see, "Alcohol 120" has somewhat limited functionality, since it cannot create virtual disks from the files available on the computer.
Ashampoo Burning Studio Free
Another popular application for burning optical discs. Ashampoo Burning Studio knows how to back up data, create ISO, erase information on CD / DVD and much more. It is distributed free of charge, which is very surprising for this developer. The snag lies in many offers inside the utility for purchasing licensed software.
After that, the use of the virtual disk will become available. The program will inform the user about the readiness of the result and suggest further actions.
Outcome
Creating an ISO image will help companies save on licensed software, help users bypass copy protection, and ease the use of a personal computer. We have reviewed 6 of the best utilities that will definitely help you with this.
In my opinion, anyone who has a computer at home should know what a disk image is and be able to use virtual drives. This article came up by itself, as an attempt to give a systematized and sufficiently capacious answer to a number of questions from my friends and acquaintances that arise when working with this data storage technology. Disk images can be very useful not only for movie lovers and gamers, but also for ordinary people who want to save their data.
What is a disk image
A disk image (often called in English - image) is a file that contains a complete copy of the data and structure of the file system of a disk. Thus, an optical disc (CD / DVD / Blu-Ray), a hard disk partition, a floppy disk or the contents of a flash drive can be saved. In fact, this term refers to any file with information sufficient to duplicate the structure and content of some information storage device. Moreover, it does not matter whether this particular disk image was obtained from a real physical medium or was generated using special software. As a rule, in the disk image file sectors of the storage medium are duplicated, and the file system is ignored.
There are a huge number of formats (ways of recording the structure and information of a medium) at the time of this writing. The oldest and most famous is the ISO format. However, disc images of this format do not support a number of technologies, such as multi-session discs. Therefore, numerous formats have appeared that provide a more complete copy of the structure of the media. The most popular ones are NRG, MDF, IMG, CCD, CUE, DMG and BIN. Of course, there are many more different formats, but these are the most common.
What is a disk image for?
First of all, disk images are needed for backups. This technology allows you to make a copy of any medium, with the ability to reproduce it in its original form, even if the original is lost. For example, is it convenient to have an image of the system partition of a computer or laptop with the software already installed and the settings made? Convenient, of course! If the system crashes, then it will be enough for us to restore the system partition from such an image saved somewhere in a safe place. The time difference compared to installing the system and all the software is simply colossal, I assure you. Most sensible sysadmins in companies with more than a dozen computers do just that.
Another example is a disk with drivers or software for a device. I know from my own experience that such disks are a piece of cake to lose. And if you have collected images of such media in one place in advance, then even if you have not found the original disks, you do not need to worry.
In addition to backing up, disk images are often used by gamers in order to speed up the work with information on external media. Access to a disk image on an HDD is an order of magnitude faster than access to a CD or DVD in a conventional drive. Due to this, there is often a significant gain in the speed of loading the game and its operation.
A variety of software is often distributed on the Internet in the form of disk images. Of course, there are a lot of illegal copies of various games, operating systems, etc. among these discs. But, in all honesty, I can say that this kind of software can also be in demand for quite innocent purposes. For example, not so long ago they brought me a laptop. It relies on licensed Windows XP. The sticker is in place, but the Windows disk itself is not. The usual distribution kit "Vent" does not fit, since the serial number on the sticker does not suit him. As a result, I found on the network a disk image with a distribution kit for this particular laptop model. After installation, it turned out to be a legal version of the operating system on a laptop.
It should be noted that a number of programs are distributed completely legally in the form of disk images. Usually, these are all kinds of LiveCDs - discs from which you can boot your computer. All leading antiviruses and most hard drive programs have these options. So not all disk images on the Internet are pirated.
How to create a disk image
Disk images are created using special programs. A lot of such applications have been written. Most of them are paid -,. However, there are also free ones - or.
As mentioned above, disk images are files containing data and information about the structure of any media. However, it should be understood that the software used to create images of optical discs with distributions of programs or operating systems and hard drives is usually used differently. There are several programs that support creating images from both optical media and hard drives, but I recommend using more specialized software. Despite some similarities in functions (creating an image, cloning a disk, restoring (recording) from an image), the applications are different and should not be confused.
To create and replicate images of flash drives (sometimes you need this), you can use a wonderful program.
How to work with disk images
Disk image files can be used as follows:
- Launched with virtual drives. For this, programs are used that emulate (simulate with the help of various software tools) drives into which disk images are mounted. Such a virtual drive appears in the system as a regular physical drive. With it, you can use various disk images as physical media, reading information from them and writing it. Among the most popular programs that ensure the operation of such drives are Alcohol 120% with its free version and Daemon Tools Pro with the free Daemon Tools Lite.
- Recorded on suitable media in size and type. Most often, discs recorded in this way are full copies of the originals (there are several types of protections that cannot be circumvented in this way, but this is a topic for a separate article). Most burning programs do this, as well as the applications with which the disc images were created.
Well, for now, that's all on this topic ...
Good afternoon.
I'll make a reservation right away that this article is not aimed at distributing illegal copies of discs.
I think that every user with experience has dozens, if not hundreds of CDs and DVDs. Now it is not so important to store them all next to a computer or laptop - after all, hundreds of such disks can be placed on one HDD, the size of a small notepad! Therefore, it is not a bad idea to create images from your disk collections and transfer them to your hard drive (for example, to an external HDD).
The topic of creating images when installing Windows is also very relevant (for example, to copy the Windows installation disc to an ISO image, and then create a bootable USB flash drive from it). Especially if you don't have a disk drive on your laptop or netbook!
Just as often, creating images can be useful for game lovers: disks are scratched over time, they begin to be poorly read. As a result of intensive use, a disc with your favorite game may simply stop being read, and the disc will need to be bought again. To avoid this, it is easier to read the game into an image once, and then start the game from this image. In addition, the disk in the drive makes a lot of noise during operation, which annoys many users.
And so, perhaps let's get down to the main thing ...
1) How to create an ISO disk image
The image of such a disk is usually created from non-copy-protected disks. For example, discs with MP3 files, discs with documents, etc. For this there is no need to copy the "structure" of the disc tracks and any service information, which means that the image of such a disc will take up less space than the image of a protected disc. Usually an ISO image is used for such purposes ...
CDBurnerXP
A very simple and multifunctional program. Allows you to create data discs (MP3, document discs, audio and video discs), in addition, it can create images and burn ISO images. This is what we will do ...
1) First, in the main window of the program, you need to select the "Copy disc" option.
The main window of the CDBurnerXP program.
Drive: CD-Rom where the CD / DVD was inserted;
Place to save the image;
Image type (in our case ISO).
Configuring copy settings.
3) Actually, it remains only to wait until the ISO image is created. The copying time depends on the speed of your drive, the size of the copied disc and its quality (if the disc is scratched, the copying speed will be slower).
Disc copying process ...
Alcohol 120%
It is one of the best programs for creating and emulating images. By the way, it supports all the most popular disk images: iso, mds / mdf, ccd, bin, etc. The program supports the Russian language, and its only drawback, perhaps, is that it is not free.
1) To create an ISO image in Alcohol 120%, you need to click on the function " Creation of images«.
Alcohol 120% - creating an image.
2) Then you need to specify the CD / DVD drive (where the copied disc is inserted) and click the "Next" button.
Select drive and copy settings.
3) And the last step ... Choose a place where the image will be saved, as well as specify the type of image itself (in our case - ISO).
Alcohol 120% is a place to save the image.
After clicking the "Start" button, the program will start creating an image. Copy times can vary greatly. For a CD, this time is approximately 5-10 minutes, for a DVD -10-20 minutes.
UltraISO
I could not help but mention this program, because it is one of the most popular programs for working with ISO images. As a rule, one cannot do without it when:
Installing Windows and creating bootable USB drives and disks;
When editing ISO images (and she can do it quite easily and quickly).
In addition, UltraISO allows you to make an image of any disk in 2 mouse clicks!
1) After starting the program, go to the "Tools" section and select the " Create CD Image ...«.
2) Then all that remains is to select the CD / DVD drive, the place where the image will be saved and the type of the image itself. What is remarkable, in addition to creating an ISO image, the program can create: bin, nrg, compressed iso, mdf, ccd images.
2) Create an image from a secure disk
Such images are usually created from game discs. The fact is that many game manufacturers, protecting their products from pirates, make sure that you can't play without an original disc ... Ie. to start the game - the disc must be inserted into the drive. If you do not have a real disk, then you will not start the game….
Now let's imagine a situation: several people are working at the computer and each has his own favorite game. Discs are constantly rearranged and over time they wear out: scratches appear on them, the reading speed deteriorates, and then they can stop being read altogether. To make this one, you can create an image and use it. Just to create such an image, you need to enable some options (if you create a regular ISO image, then at startup, the game will simply give an error that there is no real disc ...).
Alcohol 120%
1) As in the first part of the article, first of all, run the option to create a disk image (in the menu on the left, first tab).
2) Then you need to select the disc drive and set the copy settings:
Skipping read errors;
Improved sector scanning (A.S.S.) factor 100;
Read subchannel data from the current disc.
3) In this case, the image format will be MDS - the Alcohol 120% program will read the subchannel data of the disc into it, which will later help launch a protected game without a real disc.
By the way, the size of the image during such copying will be larger than the real volume of the disk. For example, based on a 700 MB game CD, an ~ 800 MB image will be created.
Nero
Nero is not just one program for burning discs, it is a whole suite of programs for working with discs. With Nero you can: create any discs (audio and video, with documents, etc.), convert video, create covers for discs, edit audio and video, etc.
Using NERO 2015 as an example, I will show you how the image is created in this program. By the way, it uses its own format for images: nrg (it is read by all popular programs for working with images).
1) Launch Nero Express and select the section "Image, project ...", then the function "Copy disc".
2) In the window for specifying the settings, pay attention to the following:
On the left of the window there is an arrow with additional settings - enable the checkbox “ Read subchannel data«;
Then select the drive from which the data will be read (in this case, the drive where the real CD / DVD is inserted);
And the last thing to point out is the source drive. If you copy a disk to an image, then you need to select Image Recorder.
Configuring Secure Disc Copy in Nero Express.
3) When you start copying, Nero will prompt you to select the location to save the image, as well as its type: ISO or NRG (for protected discs, select the NRG format).
