There seem to be quite a few free applications out there that can mount an ISO in Windows. What is currently the most recommended one?
I suggest Virtual CloneDrive [1] by SlySoft. It works perfectly on Windows 7 x86 and x64, unlike Daemon Tools. It's simple and free.
[1] http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.htmlWinCDEmu [1] is an open-source software that allows mounting CD/DVD images by clicking at the image files in Windows Explorer (right click > eject to unmount).
Works with XP/Vista/7 x86 & x64
WinCDEmu is freeware.
[1] http://wincdemu.sysprogs.org/I like to keep things basic. There is a small tool from Microsoft that's never failed me called "Virtual CD Control Panel". It was made for Windows XP but works fine under vista for me as well, and I assume 7.
Here [1] is a link.
[1] http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/b/6/7b6abd84-7841-4978-96f5-bd58df02efa2/winxpvirtualcdcontrolpanel%5F21.exeDaemon Tools [1] is great, but I like MagicISO [2] too.
[1] http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/homeor
Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel from Microsoft - download link [2]
[1] http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.htmlMagicISO [1] works best for me.
It's free and is currently maintained.
It allows me to have multiple virtual CD drives and mount each from an ISO image.
[1] http://www.magiciso.com/download.htmDepends on the version of windows, but for XP you can use this [1] free tool from MS.
Daemon Tools [2] is also a great free image mounting tool and it works for just about any version of windows. You have to dig around a bit, but there is a version that works on Win7 64bit.
[1] http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/b/6/7b6abd84-7841-4978-96f5-bd58df02efa2/winxpvirtualcdcontrolpanel_21.exeVirtual Clone Drive [1], very simple and does the job.
[1] http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.htmlBy far the best free ISO mounting tool out there is Pismo file mount [1].
Some highlights:
Some things you will want to pay attention to though is that by default it will not mount the ISO to a drive letter but instead mount it to a UNC path which can cause some software installers to fail when installing from the mounted path. Just make sure you specify that you want Pismo to mount to a drive letter when you are doing the mount and it will work fine.
Here is the unattended install of SQL to demonstrate my real world use of Pismo.
SET MSDNIsoPath=\\itapp\ISO Library\MSDN
SET ScriptPath=%~dp0
SET ScriptPath=%ScriptPath:~0,-1%
SET MountPath=m:
SET pfmMount=pfm mount -m %MountPath%
SET pfmUnMount=pfm unmount
echo -Installing Pismo File Mount
"%ResourcePath%\pfmap-051.exe" /q
echo.
echo Install and configure Microsoft SQL Server 2005
echo -Installing Standard Edition
%pfmMount% "%MSDNIsoPath%\en_sql_2005_std_x86_dvd.iso"
%MountPath%\Servers\setup.exe /settings "%ScriptPath%\Configuration\Microsoft SQL Server 2005.ini" /qb /norestart
%pfmUnMount%
[1] http://www.pismotechnic.com/pfm/Try OSFMount. It's free and lightweight.
Gizmo Drive
[1]
When I first went to Windows 7 - Gizmo Drive was the first one I found and I fell in love with it and all the little gadgets you can add on to it.