Screenshots: Use ISO Recorder to create an ISO

The setup wizard will guide you through the steps to install ISO Recorder

Getting ISO Recorder

ISO Recorder is a simple Power Tool-like utility created by Alex Feinman for Windows 7 that works perfectly in Windows 8. It doesn't come with a lot of bells and whistles, but does the job of creating ISO files very efficiently. In addition to creating an ISO file from optical discs, ISO Recorder will allow you to create ISO files from folders.

When you arrive at the ISO Recorder download page, you'll see that the Windows 7 edition of ISO Recorder is labeled version 3.1 and that there are downloads for both 32-bit ad 64-bit.

Once you download the MSI installation file, just launch it and follow along with the ISO Recorder Setup Wizard, shown in Figure A.

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Select the Take No Action choice

Creating the ISO file

After ISO Recorder is installed in Windows 8, insert your Windows XP CD into the optical drive. When the toast appears in the upper right corner, click it and then select the Take No Action choice, as shown in Figure B.

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Select the Create Image from CD/DVD command on the context menu

Now, launch Computer, right click on the optical disc drive and select the Create Image from CD/DVD command that now appears on the context menu, as shown in Figure C.

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Creating an ISO file with ISO Recorder is a straightforward procedure

In a moment, you'll see the opening screen of ISO Recorder showing the source and destination. You can specify a different destination if you wish or just click Next. Once the operation is under way, you'll see a progress bar that will keep you apprised of operation. This process is illustrated in Figure D.

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Select the Mount icon on the Disc Image Tools - Manage tab

Mounting the ISO file

Once you have created an ISO file, mounting it in Windows 8 is easy. To begin, launch File Explorer, access the location, and then select the ISO file. When you do, you'll see the Disc Image Tools - Manage tab appear in File Explorer and will select it. You'll then select the Mount button, as shown in Figure E.

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When Windows 8 mounts an ISO file, it automatically assigns it a drive letter

As soon as you do, Windows 8 will mount the ISO file and assign it a drive letter. At this point, you'll essentially have a virtual optical disc drive and you'll see the contents from the Windows XP CD, as shown in Figure F.

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You'll use the Eject button to dismount the ISO file

Dismounting an ISO file

When you are finished using the ISO file you'll dismount it using the Eject command. To do so, launch Computer and select your virtual optical disc drive. When you select the Disc Image Tools - Manage tab, you can just click the Eject button, as shown in Figure G.

What's your take?

Are you planning to create a Windows XP virtual machine in Windows 8 Client Hyper-V? If so, will you use the technique shown in this article? As always, if you have comments or information to share about this topic, please take a moment to drop by the TechRepublic Community Forums and let us hear from you.

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