Top 10 Best Virtual CD/DVD-Rom Tools for Windows
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DAEMON Tools Lite
Virtual disc emulation tool that helps you create up to 4 virtual drives, mount and unmount images, and generate image files from device contents, while offering support for RMPS, SafeDisc, SecuROM and LaserLock.
Being able to use virtual drives in order to mount optical media from a file is one of the most useful "hacks" for any Windows user looking to save a bit of time.
However, just like most computer-knowledgeable users will tell you, Windows is not exactly the best OS out there when it comes to dealing with virtual drives (although, we will admit that Windows 10 is a massive improvement over past iterations in this particular regard).
Which is exactly why you might want to ask for the helping hand offered by the multitude of specialized apps for virtual drive emulation or disc imaging, as it's also called.
The most stripped-down version of Daemon Tools, ideally suited for the average user
And, what better way to go than with what is arguably the most famous app of the lot, DAEMON Tools - in its low-spec trim, DAEMON Tools Lite.
As standard, it allows you to emulate up to four DT, SCSI, or HDD devices. You can mount a plethora of both popular and less popular image formats such as MDX, MDS, MDF, ISO, IMG, CCD, ISZ, CDI, B5T, B6T, BWT, NRG, VHD, TC, ISCSI, VMDK, VDI, and even ZIP archives. The app also includes the ability to create disc image files from your own optical media with formats such as ISO, MDX, MDS, and APE.
Modern GUI and very handy taskbar agent
Granted, that may not sound like much to begin with, but that should be enough for the day-to-day user. However, there's another area in particular where DAEMON Tools Lite shines, and that's user-friendliness.
Not only does the app looks and feels like a modern app should (thanks to its intuitive and clear-cut GUI) but it can be very unobtrusive as well. This is thanks to its useful tray agent that allows you to mount any supported image type and effortlessly toggle between them, as well as to mount and unmount drives, directly from the lower right part of your computer's screen.
Go Lite or, even better, anything in between Lite and Full
Clearly one of the best tools of this sort, DAEMON Tools Lite also does a good job of advertising its full, untapped potential. And, finally, we can address the elephant in the room, namely the fact that the app's GUI is like a big collection of locked and unlockable sections (some features are available for a small trial period), which, truth be told, might annoy the hell out of some of you out there.
On the upside, though, the pricing plans are nicely thought-out offering you the possibility of the buying any of the available features individually.
Still one of the top apps in its category
The popularity gained by this app over the years is so impressive that it should be enough to make it one of the top popular picks even if it wasn't a very good app, which, truth be told, is not at all the case as, in spite of all its potential drawbacks, the app works flawlessly.
Is it right for you? Well, we guess it all comes down to whether you are willing to accept the somewhat in-your-face marketing policy and the various locked sections of the app, because other than that, there's really nothing to reproach.
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Download Hubs
DAEMON Tools Lite is part of these download collections: Virtual Drives, View ISO, Open IMG, Open Virtual CD
gBurner Virtual Drive
Intuitive and powerful piece of software that lets you specify how many drives you want to use simultaneously (up to 16) and umount all drives.
Similar to Daemon Tools, gBurner Virtual Drive is a lightweight software tool that specializes in the creation and management of virtual CD and DVD drives. It addresses all types of users, regardless of their skill level.
Unobtrusive running mode
Once installed, you can access gBurner Virtual Drive's features by right clicking on its icon from the system tray. Mounting and mounting options can be handled from the system tray, and you may also open up a configuration panel.
Mount and unmount drives
gBurner Virtual Drive gives you the possibility to specify how many drives you want to use simultaneously (up to 16), umount all drives, as well as make the app run at system startup and mount drives automatically.
These options are also available through the Configuration panel. In addition, it is possible to assign letters to the drives.
Comparison with other similar apps
Although gBurner Virtual Drive is not very resourceful as other more powerful similar utilities, such as Daemon Tools, the app offers a straightforward solution when it comes to mounting virtual CD and DVD drives.
Performance and final thought
It runs on a very small amount of CPU and system memory, so it does not interfere with the runtime of other active processes. The program is very responsive to key strokes and mouse events, and works well, without causing the operating system to hang, crash or pop up error dialogs. Thanks to its intuitive layout and overall simplicity, gBurner Virtual Drive can be handled by all types of users, even beginners.
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Download Hubs
gBurner Virtual Drive is part of these download collections: Virtual Drives
Alcohol 52%
Emulation software that allows users mount images and load the content of CDs and DVDs without having to insert the physical disc into the drive.
Image files have grown in popularity over the years as more and more people start using them. With these, emulation software solutions have become more sought after. Alcohol 52% is a program that was designed to allow users to play CDs and DVDs without the need for the physical disc.
The app has a simple interface that should be easy to figure out by all users.
Thus, the program creates virtual drives where you can load the image files. These appear with various letters depending on the drives you already have assigned on the hard disk.
On top of having the ability to load the various image files, the program can also help with creating this type of items from the discs in the CD/DVD ROM. You may select the drive and a target location for the image. Also, these can be saved to two different formats, namely ISO and MDS.
There are also several additional settings that enable users to customize the way the app works. For instance, you can adjust the number of virtual drives that may be displayed, with a maximum of 6. The virtual drives can load various file formats, such as MDS, CCD, CUE, ISO, NRG, ISZ and a few others.
The bottom line is that Alcohol 52% is a nice tool that is sure to come in handy on numerous occasions. Less experienced individuals should find it easy to handle, thanks to the intuitive layout and its overall simplicity.
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Download Hubs
Alcohol 52% is part of these download collections: Open IMG
Active@ ISO Manager
An efficient and user-friendly application that can help you create, edit and burn ISO image files from DVDs and CDs, or other files on your computer.
As the name implies, Active@ ISO Manager is an intuitive program that provides you with a working environment for ISO images. It is oriented toward all types of users, regardless of their level of experience.
Create UDF and CDFS ISO disk images
The app is wrapped in a plain interface with an intuitive layout, where you can create an ISO image from scratch by choosing the file system type (UDF or CDFS).
Adding items to the ISO file can be done by using either the file browser or folder view; unfortunately, the "drag and drop" functionality is not supported by the tool, but you may import an ISO that already exists.
Burn ISO images on disc
When you finish with the project (it is possible to create a boot image), you can burn it to a disc and establish the writing speed. However, you cannot just save the new ISO file to the hard drive.
Other features of Active@ ISO Manager let you create an ISO image from a CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc, start a burning session with an ISO that already exists, as well as extract the contents of an ISO image to the hard drive.
Create and burn ISO images with ease
The straightforward software solution requires a low-to-moderate amount of CPU and system memory, so it shouldn't put a strain on the computer's performance. It is very responsive to key strokes and mouse events, includes a help file and works well, without making the operating system hang, crash or display error notifications; we haven't experienced any issues in our tests.
Although it is not very resourceful, Active@ ISO Manager comes packed with the necessary and suffice elements for creating, extracting and burning ISO images.
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OSFMount
A simple-to-use software program that allows you to mount as many virtual disks as you want: image files, image files in RAM, or empty RAM drives.
OSFMount is a straightforward piece of software that enables you to easily mount and unmount virtual disks. It addresses all types of users, regardless of their level of experience.
Smooth installation and simple looks
The installation procedure is rapid and uneventful, and does not require special attention from the user. Once it finishes, you can check out the standard window with a simple layout, representing OSFMount's interface.
Mount new image files
You can mount a new image file, image file in RAM, or empty RAM drive, specify the partition, image offset, drive size and type (e.g. auto, HDD), as well as label it as a read-only drive.
Create virtual disks
It is possible to create as many virtual disks as you want, as well as to dismount all of them at the same time. The main application window shows the assigned drive letter, image file path, size, properties, and file system for each disk.
Generate image files
Additionally, you can save the contents of a virtual disk to an image file (ISO, IMG, AFF, AFM, AFD, E01 or S01 format), extend drive sizes, format a location, as well as set media as fixed, writable, removable, or read-only.
Performance and final thought
OSFMount does not put a strain on system resources, since it runs on a very low amount of CPU and RAM. It has a good response time and loads virtual disks rapidly. No error dialogs were shown in our tests, and the app did not hang or crash. All in all, OSFMount should please all users, thanks to its overall simplicity.
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Alcohol 120%
Advanced DVD/CD burning and emulation software program that provides support for a rich suite of configuration settings and adopts a step-by-step approach.
Those who are looking for a CD/DVD burning and emulation software application are surely aware that their options basically come down to only a handful of applications, each of them with its very own strong points.
Alcohol 120% is one of such applications that really stands out, thanks to its comprehensive functions and increasing popularity.
Installation process
Installing Alcohol 120% is not exactly an easy task, as the whole process is basically split in two different parts. First, the installer copies a few files on the target computer and requires a reboot - after this, the setup kit continues, offering to install a browser toolbar that the app does not require to run properly.
Experts are also allowed to choose the components they want to deploy, whereas novices are advised to leave the settings to the default mode in order to make sure the software utility functions correctly once it gets installed.
Clean feature lineup
The interface is well structured, and its numerous features are organized in dedicated tabs on the left side of the main window, while the discs and the virtual drives one is working with are shown in the middle.
Follow the step-by-step approach for creating and burning images and copying or erasing discs
To ensure the virtual discs are mounted successfully, Alcohol 120% features several wizard-like guides that are useful to beginners and experts alike when it comes to actions such as image creating and burning, disc copying or drive erasing.
Rich suite of configuration settings
The Settings window is heftier than the one typically included in this type of software utilities, which can only mean the app offers a lot of customization options to its users, and this feature is best exploited by professionals who know how to correctly adjust the emulation settings, the memory buffer size, the virtual drive or the data type parameters.
An overall powerful CD/DVD burning and emulation app
Even though it supports a limited number of virtual drives, Alcohol 120% can be of great use to novices and experts who want to experiment with such an app. It provides support for a comprehensive suite of configuration settings.
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Download Hubs
Alcohol 120% is part of these download collections: Create ISO, Open ISO, Virtual Drives, View ISO
ISO Image Creator
Create disc images from your DVDs, Blu-Rays, CDs or any folder from your computer with the help of this user-friendly and swift ISO image file creation tool.
ISO files or ISO images are complete copies of all the data stored within physical optical disks such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-Rays.
Even though Windows 10 can mount ISO images natively, it's not as adept at creating them. Thankfully, there are a lot of ISO creation apps out there.
ISO Image Creator is one such app, and it can be installed on all Windows 10 computer and devices from the Microsoft Store.
Simple interface, even simpler workflow
ISO Image Creator helps you backup the contents of CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray provided you still have a CD/DVD/Blu-Ray ROM.
It boasts a modern, yet stripped-down interface that is ideal for pretty much all computer users out there.
Working with ISO Image Creator is as straightforward as possible: simply select the files or directories you want to include in the ISO image, arrange them to your pleasing (and even rename them), and click the "Start" at the bottom of the GUI.
The app also provides a useful progress bar which should give you a good idea of how long the current task will last.
Fast, easy-to-use, and modern-looking ISO creator
ISO images are created swiftly, however, this heavily depends on the size of data you want to process.
Even though the GUI itself is quite clean, we have to point out that you are required to pay a monthly fee if you want to experience this app without ads.
There's also a straightforward Settings section that provides some basic info about the app, as well as two GUI themes for you to choose from (Dark and Light).
Conclusion
ISO Image Creator offers one of the easiest ways to create an ISO file and backup data from your optical disks. However, that's all the app provides as this is not a utility aimed at advanced users.
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DAEMON Tools Pro
One of the best products for optical media emulation providing advanced features to easily mount images and emulate CD, DVD and Blu-ray drives.
If you tried the Lite version of Daemon Tools and felt that you need a bit more features, you can move onto a more powerful solution, namely the Pro version. This edition comes with almost everything you’ll ever need when it comes to emulation, including the possibility to emulate HD DVD and Blu-ray drives.
Installation process
Installing this app is pretty simple, however extra care is required when selecting the components to be installed because Daemon Tools Pro includes some third-party code. In order to be able to fully enjoy the functions of this tool you will also have to reboot your computer.
Support for various formats and 32 virtual drives
Compared to the Lite version, the interface is similar but it also adds many more functions, so it has some extra goodies. The strong points of Daemon Tools Pro are the support for a wide variety of formats as well as the ability to create up to 32 virtual drives.
Image creation, burning tools and other handy features
Among the tools included in the package you will find disc image creation and burning utilities as well as conversion and image editing functions. The image catalog will enable you to easily organize and manage your discs for which you make virtual images.
Performance
Insofar as the resource consumption is concerned, the values are fairly decent as we noted during our tests. We managed to use Daemon Tools Pro with standard ISO files, Nero images (NRG), CUE, MDS and CDI (DiscJuggler images) and it should work just as well with BlindWrite and BlindRead images (b5t and b6t formats), CCD (CloneCD images), PDI (Instant CD/DVD images), ISZ (Compressed ISO images) and FLAC images.
A top disk management and emulation app on the market
Thanks to its extended set of features and given the well-known ease of use, the Pro flavor of Daemon Tools is one of the top choices for virtual disc management and emulation. The highlights are the extensive support for several types of image files and the fact that it allows you to have up to 32 of them loaded and ready to use at any time.
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Download Hubs
DAEMON Tools Pro is part of these download collections: Create ISO, Virtual Drives, Open IMG, Open MDF
Alcohol 52% Free
Emulation software application allowing users to play CDs and DVDs without a physical disc, and search for disc images on their computer.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Alcohol 52% is specially created as a virtual drive software application, that can emulate physical drives. If you're tired of opening your disc drive every time you want to load a CD / DVD, then, Alcohol 52% is a solution that you can take into consideration.
Restart your computer at the end of the installation
The installation process is fairly simple, but, like most tools of the kind you have to reboot your computer for the program to be installed properly.
Clean feature lineup
The program's interface is pretty straightforward and easy to use. Disc image creation can be done directly from the main menu, and you can start creating your image as soon as you load the disc. As an example, it took us around 19 minutes to create a DVD image.
Look for disc images on your system
You can also search for disc images on your computer or view the full spec list for each of your drives from the same menu.
Moreover, if you don't want to access the main window of Alcohol 52% every time you want to load a disc then you can do it from the system tray icon. You can choose the emulation options you want to activate, access the Disk Management or Device Manager windows, and, of course, the customary Options window.
Create an image file and mount or unmount disc images
It is easy to make an image file, it is also easy to mount or unmount your disc images, and what is even better is that, although, the software utility allows you to easily and quickly manage your discs, it offers a lot of customization options and features.
Supported file formats
The customization process is done via the Options window. And, as long as we are here, you should know that Alcohol 52% can handle quite a few file formats. The file formats that the software program supports are the following: MDS, CCD, CUE, ISO, BWT, CDI, NRG, PDI, B5T, and ISZ.
The maximum number of mounted virtual drives can also be set, and the magic number is 6, but that should be more than enough.
An overall efficient and reliable emulation app
Alcohol 52% is a tool that can surely help you manage your disc images. Now, you won't have to load your disc from your physical drive every time you need them. Reading speed is another plus, as images stored on your computer can be accessed much faster.
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Download Hubs
Alcohol 52% Free is part of these download collections: Open NRG, Virtual Drives
DAEMON Tools Ultra
Create virtual drives and mount images, as well as convert, burn and compile images, burn audio and data discs, enable password protection, and more.
DAEMON Tools Ultra is a comprehensive software application designed to help you create virtual drives and mount images. However, it comes packed with extra handy tools as well, such as an image burner and converter.
Simple or advanced image mounting
The main application window is elegant and has a neatly organized structure, inviting you to indicate images by dropping them in the designated area.
They can be directly mounted with one click, or you can enter advanced mode to configure additional settings. Therefore, it is possible to pick a preferred drive letter, select the emulation mode between standard, SCSI and IDE, choose the DVD region, as well as add a mount point.
Burn images to discs and resort to extra utilities
Images can be burned to disc as soon as you pick the device and writing speed. Plus, you can ask DAEMON Tools Ultra to disable multi-session mode by finalizing the disc, and to verify the integrity of the data on task completion.
Furthermore, you can create a RAM or VHD disk, TrueCrypt image, compile an MDX, MDS, MDF or standard ISO image from a disc, build a writable virtual device, convert images to other formats, edit their properties, as well as write a bootable image to USB or protected data to a disc or flash drive. Password protection and data compression are supported for image conversion. DAEMON Tools Ultra also lets you burn data or audio discs, and clone discs.
Program preferences
As far as app configuration is concerned, you can integrate a DAEMON Tools Ultra icon in the system tray area for quick access, set the images to automatically mount, disable automatic checkups for software updates, switch to a different UI language and color scheme, customize file associations, disable message confirmations for various events, as well as apply proxy settings for connecting to the Internet.
Evaluation and conclusion
We have not come across any stability issues in our tests, thanks to the fact that DAEMON Tools Ultra did not hang, crash or pop up error messages. Its impact on CPU and memory is minimal, so it doesn't hamper system resources. Given its wide range of tools, you can definitely test this application for yourself. However, the price of the full page seems too expensive.
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Download Hubs
DAEMON Tools Ultra is part of these download collections: Open IMG, Open MDF
