[Easy Way] How to Mount ISO in Windows 10/11 - Qiling  

How to Mount ISO File in Windows 10/11


This article will guide you on how to mount ISO images in Windows 10/11, addressing common issues people face when trying to do so, and also provide a solution on how to safely restore deleted ISO files.

So, let's dive into the details.

ISO Image Overview

To mount an ISO image, you can use various methods depending on your operating system. On Windows, you can use software like PowerISO, MagicISO, or DAEMON Tools to mount the ISO image as a virtual drive.

An ISO image is a disc image that contains all sector data and file system of an optical disc, similar to an archive file, and is often used for CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray disks. The ISO file extension comes from the ISO 9660 file system, but it can also include the Universal Disk Format (UDF) system used for DVDs and Blu-Ray disks.

Here are the various methods to help you mount ISO images in Windows 10/11 without any problems. You can use the built-in utility, PowerISO, UltraISO, 7-Zip, or a virtual drive software like Virtual CloneDrive, Daemon Tools, or PowerArchiver.

How to Mount ISO Windows 10 to USB with File Explorer

The ISO file can be mounted through File Explorer using three distinct methods. Each method is described in detail, allowing the ISO image to be mounted successfully.

1. Use the Context Menu to Mount a Picture

To mount the ISO file with File Explorer, right-click on the ISO file and select "Open with" > "File Explorer" from the context menu. This will allow you to access the contents of the ISO file as if it were a physical drive. Alternatively, you can also right-click on the ISO file and select "Open with" > "File Explorer" from the context menu, and then select the option to "Open as an archive".

Step 1. To locate the ISO image file, go to File Explorer and search for the folder containing the ISO image file.

Step 2. Once you find the folder, click right on the ISO file.

Step 3. Now click the "Mount" option from the context menu.

Step 4. To access your files on a virtual drive, select the drive from the panel on the left side of the window. This will allow you to view and manage the files stored on that drive.

mount an ISO file in file explorer

2. Double Click to Mount the Image

The second easiest way to mount an iso file with File Explorer has been explained underneath in easy steps.

Step 1. Press the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.

Step 2. To find the folder containing the ISO image file, follow these steps: Search for the folder which contains the ISO image file. This can be done by looking through your computer's file system, typically found in the "This PC" or "Computer" section of your file explorer.

Step 3. Once you find the folder, double-click the iso file to start the installation process.

Step 4. After double-clicking, the file will open in a separate window, allowing you to access and extract its content as needed.

3. Mount ISO File by Using the Mount Option Located in the Ribbon Menu

To mount an ISO image or file from the ribbon menu, apart from the initial steps, follow these additional steps.

Step 1. Go to File Explorer.

Step 2. Now, search for the folder which contains the ISO image file, then select the ISO file.

Step 3. Click on the option "Disc image tools" at the top of the screen.

Step 5. Select the "Mount" option, which can be found in the top left corner of the screen.

mount ISO image

Users typically don't see the "Mount" option on the menu bar because they have third-party tools set to open and run compressed files, which includes iso images. If this is the case, you can try mounting the iso image using File Explorer through one of the other two methods, as the Mount option may not be visible.

How to Mount ISO Image Using Windows PowerShell

Some users want to use a pre-To mount an ISO file in Windows 10 and 11, you can use the Command Line Interface, but an alternative is to use PowerShell. You can follow these steps to mount the ISO file using PowerShell commands.

Step 1. Click the "Start" option on your computer/laptop. Search for Powershell.

Step 2. Now click right on it to run it as an administrator.

Step 3. Paste the following command and hit Enter: Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath "CompletePathToISO.iso".

mount ISO image with windows powershell

To mount an ISO file in Windows 10 and 11, replace "CompletePathToISO" with the actual path to the ISO file you want to mount, and follow the command: `dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:CompletePathToISO /ApplyDirectly /CheckIntegrity`. This command allows you to mount the ISO file without needing to burn it to a CD or DVD. Simply copy the command, paste it into Command Prompt or PowerShell, and press Enter to execute it. The ISO file will be mounted and accessible as a virtual drive.

How to Recover Deleted or Lost ISO Image File Quickly

ISO files are typically large and can be reused by users. If a user accidentally deletes their ISO file, they can use Deep Data Recovery Free to recover it. This tool allows users to restore deleted or lost files in any format from various devices, including hard drives, solid-state drives, USB drives, and external hard drives.

This tool offers data recovery from damaged, corrupted, formatted, or RAW hard drives, allowing you to quickly recover 1000+ file types in just three simple steps without requiring any complex rules or techniques.

Step 1. Select file types and click "Next" to start

Launch Deep Data Recovery, select the file types you want to recover, and then click "Next" to begin the recovery process.

Select file types that you want to recover

Step 2. Select the location to scan

Go to the device and drive where you permanently deleted files using Shift delete or emptied the recycle bin, then click the "Scan" button to find lost files.

select a location and click scan

Step 3. Check the results

The software will automatically scan the selected drive, and once complete, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders. Then, apply the filter feature or search for files to quickly find deleted files.

select files and click recover

Step 4. Recover deleted files

Select the deleted files, click "Preview", and then click "Recover" to save them to a safe location.

Windows 10 Mount ISO Option Missing, How to Fix

Some users reported that when they right-clicked on ISO files, the "Mount" option disappeared from the context menu. To restore or add the Mount option, you can try resetting Windows Explorer, checking for corrupted system files, or reinstalling the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) if you're using it, as these methods may resolve the issue.

Fix 1. Add Missing Mount Option Using Properties

To quickly restore the mount option without spending too much time on the process, you can follow these steps using the Properties option.

Step 1. To access the ISO file, go to the File Explorer on your computer, then navigate to the folder that contains the ISO file.

Step 2. Simply right-click on the ISO file. Then,  select the "Properties" > "Change".

ISO file properties

Step 3. Select File Explorer from the list and click OK and then Apply.

use file explorer to mount ISO files

To view the mount option when right-clicking on an ISO file, follow these steps: 1) Right-click on the ISO file, 2) Select 'Open with' and choose your preferred media player, 3) Click 'Open' to mount the ISO file, and 4) Right-click on the mounted ISO file and select 'Properties'. In the properties window, you will see the mount option listed.

Fix 2. Restore the Missing Mount Option Using Settings

The mount option will be directly accessible in the context menu by selecting the file explorer from the settings app.

Step 1. Search and select the "Settings" app on your device.

Step 2. Click the "Apps" and then Default apps

Step 3. Click "Set Defaults by Apps."

Step 4. Select the Windows Disc Image Burner and click the Manage option.

windows disc image burner

Step 5. Select the "File Explorer" as the default app for iso files.

Step 6. To make the mount option visible in the context menu, you need to add the following line to the /etc/fstab file on your system: UUID=xxx /mnt ext4 defaults 0 0 where xxx is the UUID of the USB drive. This will allow you to see the mount option in the context menu when you right-click on the USB drive.

Fix 3. Add Mount ISO Option Using Control Panel

You can also use the control panel for restoring the mount option by carrying out the below steps.

Step 1. Go to "Control Panel > Programs > Default Programs".

Step 2. Click "Set your default programs".

default programs in control panel

Step 3. Click "Choose defaults for this program".

set default programs

Step 4. Click on the "Check all" and "Save" in the list which appears.

The mount option will be added to the context menu, which can be accessed by right-clicking on the iso file.

The Bottom Line

This guide provides a simple and easy-to-understand explanation of how to mount an ISO file on Windows 10/11. It covers two main methods: mounting through File Explorer and using the PowerShell command. The article aims to help users troubleshoot any issues they may encounter when mounting an ISO file in Windows 10/11.

This article provides a solution to help you retrieve deleted ISO files using the Qiling data recovery software, offering an affordable and easy-to-use tool to resolve multiple ISO issues.

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