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).

Each of us has our own ideas about free software. Some computer owners take it with hostility and prefer to deal only with products distributed on a commercial basis, the cost of which includes not only the honor and respect of the developers, but also technical support services. Others are sure that enthusiasm alone will not go far, they predict a sad future for free and opensource solutions and, if possible, try to bypass them. Still others, on the contrary, believe in the bright prospects of free and free software, actively use it in their daily work, and just as zealously promote its use.

One can endlessly enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of free distribution products, but one cannot but take away from them one important quality - the freedom of choice that they provide. While purchasing software from developers who love hardcoins, users usually focus on the thickness of their own wallet, then when choosing free- and open-source applications - solely on their own needs and imagination. If you don't like one program, you can, with a little effort, try a lot of other products, which in their characteristics are approaching, and in some cases even plug other commercial solutions on the market. In order not to be unfounded, we decided to present a selection of applications for burning optical discs that can make a worthy alternative to paid programs and are a must in the arsenal of every PC user.

⇡ InfraRecorder

Developer: infrarecorder.org
Distribution size: 3.3 MB
OS: Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7

Open source CD and DVD burning software that supports ISO, BIN / CUE disc images. InfraRecorder works with rewritable and multisession optical media, is able to find common ground with Audio CDs and dual-layer DVDs, and is also equipped with the functions of cloning discs and checking them for errors. One of the features of the application is the interface, implemented in the style of Windows Explorer and translated into forty or so languages, including Russian. In addition to the standard editions of the utility for 32- and 64-bit platforms, the developer Christian Kindahl's website offers a portable version of InfraRecorder that works from any flash drive.

⇡ BurnAware Free

Developer: burnaware.com
Distribution size: 5.9 MB
OS: Windows NT / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7

A tool for burning CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. The functionality included in the program allows you to record Audio-CD, DVD-Video and MP3 discs, create bootable and multisession media, and also create ISO images from them. BurnAware Free has an automatic Internet update module and a recorded data validation mechanism to make sure the process went smoothly. The interface of the utility is Russified, but the developers did not get their hands on the translation of the help. In the process, the accelerator application strives to integrate the Ask.com toolbar into Windows, so those who are thinking of twisting the tool in their hands are advised to exercise caution when installing it on a computer. It should also be noted that BurnAware Free does not know how to create exact copies of CDs and DVDs - this function is present in commercial editions of the product, which are beyond the scope of our review.

⇡ Nero 9 Lite

Developer: nero.com
Distribution size: 31.6 MB
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7

A stripped-down version of the well-known package for burning discs Nero Burning ROM. It will appeal to those who love Nero products and are willing to put up with the numerous limitations of the free version of the application. The program can only write CDs and DVDs, copy them, as well as clear rewritable discs and show information about the used discs for reference. Nero 9 Lite is designed with potential buyers in mind for the full edition of the popular package, and therefore is replete with dialog boxes encouraging the user to make a choice in favor of a commercial product. Akin to the aforementioned program, Nero 9 Lite also installs the Ask.com toolbar in the Internet Explorer browser and does this even if the checkbox is unchecked in the installer settings. And although later an unnecessary component can be removed through the Windows control panel, the very fact of the forced installation of the toolbar cannot but be alarming.

⇡ ImgBurn

Developer: imgburn.com
Distribution size: 4.4 MB
OS: all versions of Windows, Linux (when using Wine environment)

One of the most powerful tools for working with CD, DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. ImgBurn supports BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and PDI formats, allows the user to create audio CDs from MP3, MP4, MPC, OGG, PCM, WAV, WMA and others, interacts with any optical drive and can check the quality of the data recording. The program is characterized by a huge number of parameters, through which the user can flexibly manipulate the characteristics of the utility and customize it in his own way. No less interesting is the fact that all operations performed by ImgBurn are logged and shown as a report in a special window displayed next to the main application window. It hardly makes sense to recommend this program to novice users, but advanced computer owners should like it.

⇡ CDBurnerXP

Developer: cdburnerxp.se
Distribution size: 6,3 MB
OS: Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7

Features of this program are a built-in manager for printing covers for discs, a module for converting NRG and BIN images to ISO, as well as a rich toolkit for creating audio discs from MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC and WMA files. In other respects, CDBurnerXP is practically in no way inferior to ImgBurn, with the exception, perhaps, of the interface, which is easier to use and understandable for ordinary users. Thanks to the successful combination of all of the above factors, the utility has received special attention from many software portals and online media, including our online edition.

⇡ DeepBurner Free

Developer: deepburner.com
Distribution size: 2.7 Mb
OS: all Windows versions

Another rework of a commercial product, the functionality of which was deliberately cut by the developers. DeepBurner Free works with CD and DVD media (including multisession ones), can create audio CDs and burn data borrowed from an ISO image onto discs. The Russified interface, made in the style of Windows Explorer, the module for checking for updates, adjusting the size of the drive buffer - all this and much more is implemented in the program. For the convenience of potential users, the creators of DeepBurner Free have provided a portable version of the application designed to be copied to flash drives and then launched on any computer at hand.

⇡ Ashampoo Burning Studio Free

Developer: ashampoo.com
Distribution size: 8.2 MB
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7

Craft of the German company Ashampoo, distributed by the developer not directly from his own site, but through a network of partner sites. It differs from all of the above applications in the ability to write data to CD, DVD, Blu-ray and create Audio-CD, Video-DVD, VCD, SVCD. The program supports more than 1700 different drives, can copy media and create images in ISO, CUE / BIN, ASHDISC formats, copes well with rewritable and multisession discs. If desired, Ashampoo Burning Studio Free can be used as a tool to create backup copies of data and then restore information at the right time. The only thing missing in the German product is the function of creating bootable disks, which in some cases is extremely useful.

⇡ Burn4Free

Developer: burn4free.com
Distribution size: 2.2 MB
OS: all versions of Microsoft operating systems starting from Windows 98

A program for recording CDs, DVDs, AudioCDs, equipped with an interface, at a glance at which tears of sympathy are involuntarily welling up. If you brush them off and try to figure out the heap of keys, a good half of which, when pressed, throws them to the advertised sites, then you can come to the conclusion that Burn4Free actually can do a lot, but it's not so easy to get to the functionality built into the product. behind the ubiquitous pop-up banners. The app burns ISO images, supports a variety of music formats, interacts with over three thousand optical drive models and has other talent hidden under a layer of buttons of an archaic and completely goofy interface.

⇡ Small CD-Writer

Developer: small-cd-writer.com
Distribution size: 411 kb
OS: Windows (no specific version information)

This is the only program for recording CD and DVD in our review, created by the hands of domestic magicians. Unlike most similar programs, Small CD-Writer has a miniature size, works without installation, does not require space for caching files. The utility allows you to create multi-session and bootable disks, burn ISO-images of CDs, view all sessions on the disk and extract files from them, save projects on the computer disk. Automatic detection of the recorder and write speed, coupled with the most simplified interface, allow users of any skill level to work with the program. To transfer files to optical media, just select the "Send to Small CD-Writer" menu item in Windows Explorer and press the "Burn" button in the window that opens.

⇡ Express Burn

Developer: nch.com.au/burn/
Distribution size: 470 kb
OS: all editions of Windows, Mac OS X (starting from version 10.2)

Another miniature CD, DVD and Blu-ray burner. Despite its modest size, Express Burn includes functions such as recording user data, creating audio and video discs, copying optical media and working with ISO images. A distinctive feature of the program, according to the developers, is the high speed of work and low demands on the computing resources of the computer. We were unable to find any shortcomings in Express Burn. The only disappointment was the absence of a portable edition of the product designed to run from flash devices.

⇡ Conclusion

A disk image is a file containing full copy the structure and content of the data that are on the disk. It stores all the information that duplicates the location and content of a particular storage device. The order of data sectors is repeated on the image, but the structure built on it is ignored.

The purpose of creation was originally backup disk data where the exact original structure was preserved. Currently, due to the proliferation of optical media, there are more images in as ISO files that can be used instead of CDs. ISO has less data - no overhead information.

Using archiving programs that support the opening of this type of data, you can extract and view the contents of this file. About the same, how and with what tools you can reproduce the disk image will be discussed further.

Create an image with ultraISO

One of the most accessible methods for creating ISO is using the UltraISO utility. The program is paid, but you can use the trial trial version, which we download from the official website.

The essence of use is as follows: there is two main fields- the directory tree of the mounted image on the left and the data stored in them on the right. Below are the directories and files stored on the computer.

We set the name future copy, for which we left-click on it, property – Rename. Entering a new name.

Then we drag folders and files from the storage area on the computer to the image files area. To find the ones you need, use the directory explorer presented below.

Notice that at the top is displayed overall size documents.

Actually, to complete the operation, all that remains is to save: File – Save as.

From the proposed formats we take ISO and keep.

The saving process will appear, after which you will find a copy in the location you specified.

Burning an image with Daemon tools

Daemon Tools is an equally popular program for recording images.

There are several variations of this software, among them the free DAEMON Tools Lite. After installing the free license, you will have a virtual DVD drive.

After starting, click on the button below to create a copy of the disk.

V settings refer to drive unit where the drive and folder are located where the image will be saved.

Specify the type of copy MDS or ISO.

Farther Start and the creation process will begin, at the end of which the copy will be ready.

Mount you can check it in the virtual drive.

Using Ashampoo Burning Studio Free

The free version of this program is free, it will allow you to burn a disc image. Downloading from off. site, simple and straightforward installation.

After installation, the application will start on its own. We choose Disk image – Create.

If we create on the basis of a real disk - beforehand insert it into the drive.

We indicate the storage location and click Further to start the process.

After completing the procedure, you can open the folder containing the file.

How to create a copy of a disc using CDBurnerXP

To create an ISO in the CDBurnerXP utility, select from the menu File – save project as ISO.

Specify the directory where to save the file and click Create ISO.

Can be customized options, such as: name, description, date, identifier, copyright and other settings. Opening Boot Options you will see a dialog box with additional options.

ISO with ImgBurn

ImgBurn is a handy tool for burning ISO images. Everything is done very quickly and quite simply.

After downloading and installing the program, you will see the following window.

As you can see, here it is possible as write down image to disk, so do it from available files.

In this case, we are interested in the latter.

You do not need to specify any special additional settings (the only thing is, if you wish, you can change the write speed and the number of copies), specify the drive from which we want to read the data and click Reading

The copying process will go, at the end of which the message will signal us about its successful completion.

Free DVD ISO Maker

The program is free, it is easy to use and simple.

After starting, you will need to select Select CD/ DVDdevice, that is, the drive to be read (specify the path). Next is the place where we will save the resulting file. Then we press Covert and wait for the final completion of the copying procedure.

Using ISODisk

Also free, download it from the official site.

The interface, although it is in English, is quite intuitive. Some users do not recommend using it to mount virtual drives, but it copes with the task of creating ISO with a bang.

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.

Last week we asked you to share your favorite disk image tools, then we rounded up the five most popular responses for a vote. Now we "re back to highlight your favorite. DAEMON Tools led the pack by a comfortable margin with 40% of the vote.

Softpedia.com DAEMON Tools Lite is a software solution that will impress you, especially thanks to its advanced features that can deal with virtually all image formats on the market. Reliable application that creates virtual drives on your computer, providing you with the possiblity to emulate CDs and DVDs for instant access.

PCWorld.com If you spend a lot of time swapping and hence waiting on CDs or DVDs to mount, Daemon Tools Lite is worth its weight in gold. Even if you don "t, it" s a program you should download to keep in your bag of tricks - you "ll find a use for it eventually.

Download.com The advantage is that you can burn the images you "re using with DAEMON Tools Lite right away or just test an image before burning it to see if it was created correctly. DAEMON Tools Lite works with most image formats.

Filecluster.com Pros
- Small and highly stable program.
- Low resource requirements.
- Simple and functional interface ...

Software.Informer.com DAEMON Tools Lite manages to be more comprehensive and feature-rich than many of its competitors. And that "s quite remarkable, especially considering that DAEMON Tools Lite is free while many of its competitors are not.

downloads.tomsguide.com As a disc imaging tool, Daemon Tools Lite "s free nature automatically makes it a lot better than many competing applications simply because it offers most of what they offer at the vastly reduced price of free.

www.techadvisor.co.uk When you have a disc that you know you "ll need to access regularly, then, DAEMON Tools Lite allows you to create an image in just a couple of clicks. This then shows up in its Image Catalog for speedy reloading later, and you can put the real disc away.

techgyd.com Daemon Tools Lite is one of the best software for emulating and organizing your disc images. The software is very easy to use and fulfills all your disc related requirements. The virtual drives support is amazing.

maddownload.com If you are looking for the best software to work with ISO, MDX, MDS, and MDX files? Well, you have come to the right place. DAEMON Tools Lite is an easy and ready to use downloadable software compatible with Windows. It is well known reputable software that gives you the power of having a DVD-ROM emulator right into the comfort of your own home.

GIGA.de Mit dem Daemon Tools Lite Download könnt ihr virtuelle Images erstellen, speichern und einbinden sowie virtuelle Laufwerke emulieren.