ISO files store data from CD, DVD, or BD discs. They represent entire discs as single archive files. ISO files save all data including filesystems and file structures. Many programs open ISO files to ...
ISO files store data from CD, DVD, or BD discs. They represent entire discs as single archive files. ISO files save all data including filesystems and file structures. Many programs open ISO files to access that data.
ISOs use the ISO-9660 standard file system for discs. This standard defines structures for optical media. The ISO format stores file data and structures uncompressed. So ISOs represent complete discs accurately.
ISO files go by other names like disc images. They let you access disc data without the physical media. You can mount ISOs to view their contents. Common uses involve backups and software distributions.
Programs like 7-Zip or PeaZip open ISO files as archives. The file contents appear in software as if from a real CD/DVD. Users can view files and folders within the ISO. You can also extract data to access it separately.
ISO format has wide support across operating systems. Linux, Mac OS, and Windows all recognize ISO files. Each system uses ISOs to represent disc images. And has apps to open ISOs without special tools.