ISO Creator: To be precise, an ISO image is a copy of the data on an optical disc, such as a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc. There are many occasions when you want to create an ISO image. For example, when you need make several copies with the game, you create an ISO image, when you modify a bootable disc, you create an ISO image, etc. And here, WinISO is the best choice due to its powerful and versatile features. Besides, its friendly UI enables you to make bootable ISO, convert ISO to BIN instantly!
Here we will show you how to create ISO image files with WinISO step by step.
Step 1: Getting Started
Free Download WinISO from our official website and install it. It will just take you several seconds.
Step 2: Create a new file
After running WinISO (which serve as an ISO Creator) and click the «New File» button on the toolbar.
Step 3: Add files
Add files or directory into WinISO by right-clicking or pressing the shortcut keys «F3» or «F4».
Step 4: Save
Click the «Save» button and enter in the ISO file name. Then click «Save» to create a new ISO. (Disk space can be saved by utilizing this function.)
With this function, you can save your disk space. WinISO is a CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc utility tool. Except the function of creating ISO, you can also add, delete, extract ISO image file and burn it to CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc.
Maybe you also want to find: How to make a bootable ISO?
For more guides, please take closer look here:
Windows Image Files and Catalog Files Overview
Windows System Image Manager (WindowsВ SIM) uses Windows image (.wim) files and catalog (.clg) files to display the available components and packages that can be added to an answer file (Unattend.xml). Windows images and catalog files contain configurable settings that you can modify after the component or package is added to an answer file.
Install.wim is located in the Sources folder of your Windows Installation Media download. See OEM deployment of Windows 10 for desktop editions for steps to make and deploy Windows images.
You can open Windows SIM by searching your computer for «Windows System Image Manager».
Supported architectures
Windows SIM can create catalog files for Windows images of the following architecture types
Your version of Windows
Windows images you can create catalog files from
x86 version of Windows
x86-based systems, x64-based systems, and ARM-based systems
x64 version of Windows
x64-based systems only
Don’t have an x86 PC handy?
You can install the 32-bit version of Windows on a 64-bit PC.
You can install Windows on a 32-bit virtual machine from a 64-bit PC.
Windows Image Files
A Windows image file contains one or more compressed Windows images. Each Windows image in a Windows image file contains a list of all of the components, settings, and packages that are available with that Windows image.
Limitations of Windows Image Files
The following list describes some of the limitations of using Windows image files:
Only an account that has administrator permissions can open Windows image files.
Only one user at a time can open Windows image files.
Because Windows image files can contain one or more Windows images, they are frequently large. Some Windows image files can be several gigabytes in size.
Because Windows images can be modified through different settings, using a Windows image file to create your answer file might cause you to apply altered default settings and configurations to a recaptured Windows image.
Because of these limitations, WindowsВ SIM uses catalog files to create an answer file.
Catalog Files
A catalog file is a binary file that only includes the settings and packages in a Windows image. Catalog files (.clg) are only used by Windows SIM and is not used by other deployment tools, nor is it required to install Windows. When Windows SIM creates a catalog file, it queries the Windows image for a list of all the settings and state of each setting in that image. Because the contents of a Windows image can change over time, you must re-create the catalog file whenever you update a Windows image.
Because only administrators can open Windows images, you must have administrator permissions on the system to create a catalog file.
When WindowsВ SIM opens a Windows image file or catalog file, all of the configurable components and packages inside that image are displayed in the Windows Image pane. You can then add components and settings to an answer file.
Contents of a Catalog File
A catalog file contains the following information:
A list of component settings and current values
Windows features and package states
Benefits of Catalog Files
Catalog files have several advantages over Windows image files:
The size of a catalog file can be less than 1 megabyte (MB), whereas the size of Windows image files can be several gigabytes. Also, catalog files are easier to copy to removable media or a network share.
Multiple users can create answer files for a single catalog file at the same time, whereas only one person can open and access a Windows image file at any particular time.
Non-administrators can create answer files for a catalog file. However, only administrators can open Windows image files.
Troubleshooting
«The catalog file for Windows Image (image name) cannot be opened for the following reason:
Cannot find the catalog file associated with the Windows image (image name)
You must have a valid catalog file to continue. Do you want to create a catalog file?»
Fix: Click Yes to create a catalog file. After you’ve created the catalog file, this message will no longer appear.
What’s going on: This message usually shows up the first time you open a .wim file.
«Access denied»
Fix: Copy the .wim file to a simple writable file location, like C:\Images, then try again.
What’s going on: This message appears when you’re creating a catalog file from a .wim file that’s in a location that the system can’t write to, like a DVD or secured network share.
«Catalog creation failed to complete. This 64-bit version of Windows SIM can only create catalogs for 64-bit Windows images. For a list of supported architecture types, see link below.»
Fix: Use an x86 version installation of Windows to create catalog files for x86 or ARM-based .wim files.
What’s going on: WindowsВ SIM can’t create x86 or ARM catalog files from a 64-bit Windows installation.
Open a Windows Image or Catalog File
When you open a WindowsВ® image (.wim) file in Windows System Image Manager (WindowsВ SIM), a catalog (.clg) file is automatically created. If a catalog file already exists, WindowsВ SIM re-creates the catalog file based on the contents of the Windows image that you select. When a catalog file is created, it queries the Windows image for a listing of all the settings in that image.
To create an answer file, you must first open a Windows image file or catalog file in WindowsВ SIM. For more information about Windows image files and catalog files, see Windows Image Files and Catalog Files Overview.
Open a Windows image file or catalog file
Copy a previously created catalog file (.clg) to the technician computer or copy your customized Windows image file (install.wim) to the technician computer.
Install.wim is located in the Sources folder of your Windows Installation Media download. See OEM deployment of Windows 10 for desktop editions for steps to make and deploy Windows images.
On the technician computer, open WindowsВ SIM. One way to do this is to search for «Windows System Image Manager».
On the File menu, click Select Windows Image.
In the Select a Windows Image dialog box, select the file type in the Files of type drop-down list, and then browse to a Windows image file or catalog file. If you open a Windows image file, WindowsВ SIM will automatically create a catalog of that Windows image.
If there is more than one type of Windows image in the file, select a specific Windows image in the Select an Image box. The Windows image file or catalog file appears in the Windows Image pane.
Click Open. If you have not previously opened that Windows image file or have not refreshed the catalog file recently, WindowsВ SIM prompts you to create or re-create the catalog file.
Create a catalog file
Open WindowsВ SIM.
On the Tools menu, click Create Catalog. The Open a Windows Image dialog box opens.
Select a Windows image file, and then click Open. If you select a Windows image file that has more than one Windows image, the Select an Image dialog box opens.
Click to select an image type (for example, Fabrikam Custom Image 1), and then click OK. The catalog file is created in the same directory as the Windows image file that you selected.
Troubleshooting
If Windows SIM does not create the catalog file, try the following steps:
Make sure you are using the Windows 8.1 version of the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (WindowsВ ADK).
To create a catalog file for 32-bit or ARM-based PCs, use a 32-bit PC.
Make sure the Windows base-image file (Install.wim) is in a folder that has read-write privileges, such as a USB flash drive or on your hard drive.
WindowsВ SIM cannot create catalog files for some Windows images of different architecture types. For information about the support of cross-platform catalog creation, see Windows Image Files and Catalog Files Overview.
Create a Data Image Using DISM
To add applications, files, and other resources to Windows during an installation, you can create a data image. By using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool, you can create additional Windows image (.wim) files that contain only files and applications that you intend to copy to the Windows installation.
Data images enable you to add:
Applications, files, scripts, and other resources to Windows during an installation.
Files, resources, and other data to a partition other than the operating system partition.
NoteВ В Data images must be used only to add new files to a Windows installation. Do not use data images to replace existing Windows files. Overwriting operating system data is unsupported.
Previous methods of transferring data to a Windows installation required the use of $OEM$ folders. These folder structures are still supported, but data images provide an easier and more efficient means of transferring additional data to Windows.
In unattended installations, the Windows image to install is specified by the OSImage setting in the Microsoft-Windows-Setup component. You can add one or more DataImage settings in the Microsoft-Windows-Setup component that represent additional data images that you add to the system. For more information, see the Windows Unattended Setup Reference.
To create a data image
Locate the data that you will create a data image for.
Open a command prompt as an administrator, or boot the computer to Windows PE to open the Windows PE command prompt.
Use DISM to compress your data files to a .wim file. For example:
In this example, everything under the C:\Data\DataFiles directory is added to the .wim file and the .wim file is given the label «MyData». All files and folders under C:\Data\DataFiles are extracted to the root of the drive specified in the answer file.
For more information about how to use DISM, see DISM Image Management Command-Line Options.
Copy the data image to an available location such as another partition or a network share during WindowsВ Setup.
To add a data image path to an answer file
Use WindowsВ System Image Manager (WindowsВ SIM) to create an answer file that contains the path to the data image to install and the location for the installation.
Add the Microsoft-Windows-Setup\ DataImage settings to the appropriate configuration pass for your environment. For example: windowsPE .
Save the answer file and close WindowsВ SIM.
The answer file must resemble the following example:
If you’re specifying a local folder in path , see Path in the Unattended Windows Setup Reference to learn about using relative or absolute paths.
Run Setup.exe, specifying the location of the answer file. For example:
All the files and folders specified in the data image are extracted to the root of the drive during installation. Executable files and scripts are not run when the data image is applied; they are only copied to the drive. You can use FirstLogonCommands to specify commands to run the first time a user logs on to the computer. For more information about FirstLogonCommands , see the Windows Unattended Setup Reference.
Create an ISO File from a Folder in Windows
A great tool for distribution or backups
If you don’t already know, an ISO file is a container that can hold a number of files in it. It’s usually used to create backups of your CD and DVD discs. However, you can create an ISO from the folders on your Windows PC as well. There are actually multiple apps that help you do it on your machine.
There are many reasons why you may want to create an ISO on your Windows 10 PC. Maybe you want to keep all of your folders in a single place. Or maybe you want to keep some of your folders handy ready to burn to your discs.
Regardless of the reasoning, it’s pretty easy to create an ISO from folders on a Windows computer. Also, check out the video from our sister site where we walk you through the steps in a short video.
Use AnyBurn To Create ISO From The Folders On Your PC
One of the free apps you can use to create an ISO from your folders is AnyBurn. It’s actually an app that helps you burn your data to your discs but you can use it to create ISO files as well. It has an option on the main interface that helps add your chosen folders to an ISO which you can then save anywhere on your computer.
Download, install, and launch AnyBurn on your computer.
You’ll find several options regarding creating ISOs on the main interface. Find the one that says Create image file from files/folders and click on it.
The following screen will let you choose the folders that you want to add to your ISO. Click on the Add button at the top to add your folders.
If you want to specify any custom settings for your file, click on the Properties button at the top. It’ll then let you modify options like the file system for your ISO, file naming standard, compression level, and so on. Click on OK when you’ve configured them.
Click on the Next button to go to the next screen of the ISO creation process.
On the following screen, click on the folder icon to choose the folder where you want to save your ISO. You can also enter a name for your file on the same screen.
Finally, click on Create Now to start creating an ISO out of your chosen folders.
Create An ISO In Windows 10 Using WinCDEmu
WinCDEmu is an open-source tool that lets you create virtual drives out of various image file formats on your computer. If you have downloaded an ISO file and you want to view its contents, this app can help you mount that as a drive on your machine.
You can use the app to create ISO files from folders in Windows as well, and it actually provides you with the easiest way to make an ISO from your folders. All you basically need to do is install the app and it’ll add an option to your context menu. You can then use that option to generate an ISO from your folders.
Download and install the WinCDEmu app on your PC.
Right-click on your taskbar and select Task Manager.
Right-click on the process that says Windows Explorer and select End task. You need to close the Explorer before you can see the newly added item in the context menu.
Click on the File menu in Task Manager and select Run new task.
Type in explorer.exe and hit Enter. It’ll relaunch the Windows File Explorer.
Find the folder that you want to create an ISO for, right-click on it, and select Build an ISO image.
It’ll ask you to enter a name for your ISO and the location where you want to save it. Enter these details and click on Save.
It’ll quickly create the ISO for you and let you know when it’s fully built.
Use ImgBurn To Create ISO Files From Folders On Windows
ImgBurn has been a popular app to create and burn image files for a long time. If you’ve ever created a backup of your discs or you’ve burned a disc, you’ll likely recognize the app.
The app can be used to create ISO files from your folders as well.
Download, install, and open the ImgBurn app on your computer.
On the main interface, find and click on the option that says Create image file from files/folders.
You’ll see a screen that lets you add the folders you want to include in your ISO. Click on the little folder icon and add the folders for your ISO file.
Click on the tiny folder icon next to where it says Destination and select a name and target folder for your ISO file.
On the right-hand side pane, you’ll find various options to configure for your ISO. With these options, you can change your image type, enter a label for your image, specify restrictions, and do a few other things.
Finally, click on the large Build button on your screen to start building an ISO file out of your selected folders.
Use a Portable Tool To Create An ISO From Folders
If it’s just a single ISO that you’ll be making and you don’t think you’ll be doing it again anytime soon, you might prefer something that doesn’t require an installation. Folder2Iso can actually help you out as it’s a free and portable tool that helps quickly create ISOs without any hassle.
It works on many versions of Windows including Windows 7, 8, 10, and Linux.
Download the Folder2Iso app and double-click on it to extract the actual app contents.
Run the executable file that you extracted from the archive.
You’ll see a simple interface with only a few options on it. Click on the Select Folder option and select the folder you want to add to your ISO.
Click on the Select Output button and choose the folder where you’d like to save your ISO file. Remember you can’t choose the folder that you’ve chosen to include in your ISO.
You can then specify the extra options available on your screen, if you want.
Click on the Generate ISO button to make an ISO out of your chosen folders.
The progress bar will go all green when the ISO has been generated.
It’s a good idea to create an ISO from your folders in Windows so you can mount them all as a single drive on your PC. If you have done it on your computer already, let us know what app you chose to do it and why. We await your response in the comments below!
Mahesh has been obsessed with technology since he got his first gadget a decade or so ago. Over the last few years, he’s written a number of tech articles on various online publications including but not limited to MakeTechEasier and Android AppStorm. Read Mahesh’s Full Bio
