How to make a virtual disk in windows 7. How to make a virtual disk in five minutes. The fastest way to mount and unmount a virtual drive
Hello.
In this article, I would like to touch on two things at once: a virtual disk and a disk drive. In fact, they are interconnected, a little lower we will immediately make a short footnote to make it clearer what will be discussed in the article ...
Virtual Disk(the name “disc image” is popular on the net) - a file whose size is usually equal to or slightly larger than a real CD / DVD disc from which this image was obtained. Often images are made not only from CDs, but also from hard drives or flash drives.
Virtual drive(CD-Rom, disk drive emulator) - roughly speaking, this is a program that can open an image and present you with information on it, as if it were a real disk. There are many such programs.
The best programs for working with virtual disks and drives
1.DaemonTools
Link to the lite version: http://www.daemon-tools.cc/rus/products/dtLite#features
One of the best programs for creating and emulating images. Supported emulation formats: *.mdx, *.mds/*.mdf, *.iso, *.b5t, *.b6t, *.bwt, *.ccd, *.cdi, *.bin/*.cue, * .ape/*.cue, *.flac/*.cue, *.nrg, *.isz.
You can create only three image formats: *.mdx, *.iso, *.mds. You can use the light version of the program for free at home (for non-commercial purposes). The link is above.
After installing the program, another CD-Rom (virtual) appears in your system, which can open any images(see above) which you can only find on the Internet.
To mount the image: run the program, then click right click by CD-Rom, and select the "mount" command from the menu.
To create an image just run the program and select the "create a disk image" function.
After that, a window will pop up in which you need to select three things:
The disk whose image will be obtained;
Image format (iso, mdf or mds);
The place where virtual disk(i.e. image) will be saved.
Conclusions:
One of the best programs for working with virtual disks and drives. Its capabilities will be enough, probably, for the absolute majority of users. The program works very quickly, does not load the system, supports all the most popular versions of Windows: XP, 7, 8.
2. Alcohol 120%/52%
Link: http://trial.alcohol-soft.com/en/downloadtrial.php
(to download Alcohol 52%, when you follow the link above, look for the download link at the very bottom of the page)
A direct competitor to Daemon tools, and many rate Alcohol even higher. In general, Alcohol is not inferior to Daemon Tools in terms of functionality: the program can also create virtual disks, emulate them, and burn them.
Why 52% and 120%? It's about the number of options. If in 120% it is possible to create 31 virtual drives, then in 52% - only 6 (although 1-2 is more than enough for me), plus 52% cannot burn images to CD / DVD discs. Well, of course, 52% is free, and 120% is the paid version of the program. But, by the way, at the time of writing, the 120% version is given for 15 days for trial use.
Personally, I have the 52% version installed on my computer. A screenshot of the window is shown below. The main functions are all there, you can quickly make any image and use it. There is also an audio converter, but I have never used it ...
3. Ashampoo Burning Studio Free
Link: https://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/pin/7110/burning-software/Ashampoo-Burning-Studio-FREE
This is one of the best programs for home use (and free). What can she do?
Work with audio discs, video, create and burn images, create images from files, burn to any (CD / DVD-R and RW) discs, etc.
For example, when working with an audio format, you can:
Create Audio CD;
Create an MP3 disc (https://website/kak-zapisat-mp3-disk/);
Copy music files to disk;
Transfer files from audio disc to HDD in a compressed format.
With video discs, too, more than worthy: Video DVD, Video CD, Super Video CD.
Conclusions:
An excellent harvester, which may well replace a whole range of utilities of this kind. What is called - once installed - and always use. Of the main drawbacks, there is only one: you cannot open images in a virtual drive (it simply does not exist).
4. Nero
Website: http://www.nero.com/rus/products/nero-burning-rom/free-trial-download.php
I could not ignore such a legendary package for burning discs, working with images, and in general, everything related to audio-video files.
With this package, you can do everything: create, burn, erase, edit, convert video-audio (almost any format), even print covers for recordable discs.
Minuses:
A huge package, in which everything you need and do not need, many even 10 parts do not use the program's capabilities;
Paid program (free test is possible for the first two weeks of use);
Heavy load on the computer.
Conclusions:
Personally, I have not used this package for a long time (which has already turned into a big “harvester”). But in general - the program is very worthy, suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
5. ImgBurn
Website: http://imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
The program pleases from the very beginning of acquaintance: the site contains 5-6 links so that any user can easily download it (from whatever country he is). Plus, add to this a dozen or three different languages supported by the program, among which there is Russian.
Basically, without even knowing in English, this program will not be difficult to understand even for novice users. After starting, you will see a window with all the features and functions that the program has. See screenshot below.
Allows you to create images of three types: iso, bin, img.
Conclusions:
Good free program. If you use it in a compartment, for example, with Daemon Tools, then there will be enough opportunities “for the eyes” ...
6. Clone CD/Virtual Clone Drive
Website: http://www.slysoft.com/en/download.html
Create a virtual disk
Creating a virtual disk is possible in all versions of the operating system. Let's take Windows 7 as an example.
- Launch the Computer Management utility using the Start menu search bar.
- Select the "Disk Management" subsection in the expanded window.
- Expand "Action".
- Select the "Create Virtual Hard Disk" option.
- Specify the path to the folder where the file responsible for the virtual disk will be located. Please note that you need to place it on the partition where there is enough free space.
- Write down the maximum size of the created disk.
- Choose from two formats: dynamic or fixed. The first mode will increase the volume of the disk as new files arrive on it until its size approaches the figure indicated in the previous step. The second mode allows you to immediately form a disk of the previously selected size.
- Save the file as a VHD and name it with your desired letter or word.
- Wait for the creation process to finish.
- Find a black block with unallocated virtual memory. It means that you have created a disk, but now you need to partition it into volumes in order to start using it.
A black block with unallocated memory means that the disk needs to be partitioned into volumes in order to start using it
- Right-click on the disk and select "Initialize Disk".
- In the opened window select created disk and his style. It is recommended to set the "Master Boot Record" option.
- Partition the disk into volumes. Right-click on the unallocated memory and select "Create Simple Volume".
- Specify how much unallocated memory will be given to the virtual disk partition. You can give all the memory at once, or you can split it into several volumes.
- Assign a letter to the section.
- Remember that you can always reduce or delete an already created virtual disk volume in the same program. If you are satisfied with the distribution of the virtual disk, then you can start using it.
Video: How to create a virtual disk in Windows 7
Removing a virtual disk
Please note that by deleting a virtual disk, you will erase all the information that is on it.
Third Party Programs
To expand the list of options for setting up a virtual disk and make them easier, you can use free third-party programs.
DAEMON Tools Lite
Buy or download trial version You can visit the official website of the developer. The program has a simple and understandable interface in Russian. With its help, you can create virtual disks and drives, edit and delete them.
DAEMON Tools Lite is a free and powerful disk imaging application. Video: how to use DAEMON Tools Lite
Alcohol 120%
The application supports the Russian interface, has a simple design and protects the created virtual disk from copying. You can download the trial version or buy the full version on the official website of the developer. It allows you to create and delete discs and virtual CD drives.
Video: how to use Alcohol 120%
Virtual drives
A virtual drive or virtual disk drive performs the same functions as physical drive, but does not read physical CD/DVD discs, but virtual ones. For example, a virtual disk can be downloaded from the Internet or from another computer if it has already been created there. And on it you can record everything the same as on the real one.
Creating a virtual drive
To create a virtual drive, you need one of the third party programs, designed to work with virtual disks and drives:
- In the "Number of devices" line, select the number of drives to be created.
- Click the OK button.
- Make sure that in the main menu of "Explorer" in the "Devices and drives" block there are new drives named with unique letters.
Removing a virtual drive
Deleting a drive is almost the same as creating it:
- Download and install UltraISO program from the official website of the developer.
- Click on the "Options" button in the top bar of the program.
- Select the Virtual Drive tab.
- In the "Number of devices" line, set the parameter to "No" and click the "OK" button. Done, drive removed.
Virtual disks and disk drives can come in handy if you have to install suspicious programs, additional OS or transfer parts hard drive other users. Remember that a virtual disk takes up space on a physical hard drive, so it is not additional memory to your computer, but only uses part of the existing one.
Today, no one is surprised that you can legally get games, music or movies on your computer without having them on disks or other drives. Users are accustomed to this, because it is convenient, it is cheaper and often does not take up space at home. But what to do when you already have an extensive collection of discs? You can create virtual disks from them and store them in digital form, in Windows OS.
What is a virtual disk
A virtual disk is a digital copy of a regular CD or DVD. This copy with special programs can be used just like any other disk, but without actually putting it in the drive. It would seem that this is not necessary, because you can simply throw off the necessary files. But, firstly, this will not work with games, which often require a licensed disc in the drive. And secondly, storing discs “as is” can be more convenient, because you can build a digital collection by transferring your discs completely to your drive.
How to create a virtual disk on Windows 7
A disc copy can be created in different formats. ISO, MDS and CDI formats are popular, but in fact there are many more.
There are many programs designed to obtain a disk image from physical media.
Let's figure out how to get a disk image using the popular Daemon Tools Lite program:
Click "Create Disk Image"
Set the settings for the created image and click "Start"
This is how easy it is to make a digital copy of your CD or DVD. This copy is deleted just like any other file, you can simply transfer it to the trash. A prerequisite for deletion is that the disk must not be in use at the moment. It should be extracted from the virtual drive.
Good day everyone!
Ordinary CD / DVD discs, no matter how sad it may be, are losing their popularity year by year (they used to be sold at every corner 👀). Still, the development of network technologies is doing its job ...
Meanwhile, there is another side of the coin - the so-called virtual disks - a single file(s) made from an exact copy of a physical CD/DVD. They are also called images.
The most popular image formats are: ISO, BIN, MDS/MDF, NRG, CCD. By the way, now a lot of files are transferred over the network in images (for example, even to create bootable flash drive with Windows - you must first download the installation image with the system from the Microsoft website).
You can’t open such an image just like that, you need (you guessed it) a special virtual drive (or drive. Also called CD/DVD emulators).
In general, I decided to build this article in the form of questions and answers on working with images (of which there are always a lot). Along the way, I will present programs that best cope with the task. I think it will be easier to present the basics for an inexperienced reader.
And so, let's get started...
The most popular questions about working with virtual disks
❶. How to create a virtual disk/ISO image, etc.
And in general, in my opinion, it is one of the best (and most popular, by the way) programs for working with disk images. I definitely recommend to install and familiarize.
Daemon Tools (Lite)
This program allows you to mount almost all types of images, and also emulates the simultaneous operation of up to 4 drives. In addition, the program allows you to burn ready-made images to physical discs, convert from one format to another, create protected images, and much more (by the way, some of the functions are paid, unfortunately).
The program organizes the storage of images quite well: you can always find the right disk from your collection.
So, let's say we have several CDs with music, games that are often used, and you are just tired of inserting them into the drive (and over time, discs deteriorate, scratch, and make noise when inserted into the drive). Therefore, it is logical, having made images of these disks once, you can use them easily and without noise.
1) First you need to insert the CD into a real physical drive.
3) After you need to specify the drive with the disk, specify the folder where the image will be saved, and the image format (in my example, I chose ISO). To start copying, press the "Start" button.
5) When the image is ready, you will see a message that the operation was successfully completed, as in the screenshot below.
In general, that's all. Now you can use this image (only you first need to create a virtual drive, more on that below).
❷. How to create a virtual CD/DVD-Rom drive/emulator
Let's use the same Daemon Tools...
First you need to run the program and click "Add drive" (in the left menu of the program).
A new drive should appear at the bottom of the window: in my case, under the letter "F: (empty)".
DAEMON Tools Lite - new drive (F:)!
❸. How to open images: ISO, MDF, NRG, etc. and run the application from them
After the virtual disk drive in Daemon Tools has been created, you can start opening and reading images in it. In general, Daemon Tools opens almost any images: ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG (even archives, 7z, rar, zip, etc.).
At the bottom of the window - left-click on the virtual drive (which we created in the previous step). See screenshot below.
DAEMON Tools Lite - first left click on the drive
If you have disabled the automatic launch of CD / DVD discs (and nothing appeared on the screen), go to "/This computer": among the drives there should be a virtual one, with a disk (i.e. image) that we opened.
If you are asked whether to allow this application to make changes - answer yes (at least for familiar drives ...).
❹. How to Burn an Image to a Physical CD/DVD
Daemon Tools, of course, can burn images to physical discs, but this feature is only available in the paid version of the program. Therefore, it is better to use analogues, especially since there are enough free versions in this segment.
Why not Nero? Because the Nero package is paid, it weighs several gigabytes, it is very "brake" and clumsy. Hardly many people will use at least a tenth of its functions (not to mention the fact that most just need to burn a disc and that's it ...).
CDBurnerXP
CDBurnerXP is a free CD and DVD burning software, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. The program also works great with ISO images, allowing you to not only create them, but also burn them to physical discs. The program supports dozens of languages (including Russian). Works in Windows XP/7/8/9/10.
Key features:
- record data (files, documents, pictures, etc.) on any type of disk;
- recording audio CDs;
- creating and burning ISO images;
- creation of boot (installation) disks;
- BIN/NRG image converter → to ISO;
- the ability to print covers.
After starting the program, press the button "Burning the ISO Image to Disc" (see screenshot below).
Then specify the ISO image for recording, the physical drive, the recording speed (highlighted in yellow in the screenshot below - by the way, do not set the most high speed, errors are possible) and press "Burn Disc" . In general, this is all - in 10-15 minutes. your disc will be burned!
Burn Settings // CDBurnerXP
❺. What other programs can be used to work and read images
Alcohol 120%
Alcohol 120% is an excellent and very powerful imaging program. It does everything: creates images, mounts them into virtual drives, burns them, creates a library on your PC (for quick search and reading).
Although the program is paid, there is a free trial period of 15 days (and there are free version, with reduced capabilities). In general, I recommend to get acquainted!
Key features:
- creation of up to 31 virtual drives;
- creation of disk images (support for formats: MDF/MDS, CCD, BIN/CUE, ISO, CDI, etc.);
- burning from disc images: CD, DVD and Blu-ray;
- erasing discs: CD-RW, DVD-RW and BD-RE;
- search and creation of a library from image files on the PC hard drive;
- the presence of an audio converter for working with audio CDs.
Ultra ISO
Very powerful program for working with ISO-images. It allows you to create them from real discs, burn them, emulate them in a virtual drive, and, most importantly, edit them on the fly.
Those. you can open an ISO image, remove an unnecessary file from it (or add it) and save the image. Actually, it is done very quickly!
In addition, the program will help create a bootable (installation) disk, USB flash drive. You can also try to compress current ISO images, etc. In general, I recommend everyone who works with ISO to have it on their PC...
Burn4Free
Very reliable and simple program to work with CD/DVDs. Allows you to perform almost the entire range of tasks that may be required by the average PC user. With all this, it takes up very little space on your hard drive (several megabytes!).
Main advantages:
- burning CD / DVD discs in a few mouse clicks;
- the program is very light and simple, the design is made in the style of minimalism;
- you can copy audio CDs of various formats (WAV, FLAC, WavPack, WMA, etc.);
- support for SCSI - IDE / EIDE - SATA - USB;
- Russian language support;
- creating and burning ISO images;
- the ability to record MP3 discs;
- support of all Windows versions: 10, 8, 7, Vista, 2008, 2003, XP, 2000, 98;
- support for most drive models (more than 4000!).
In general, I’ll add on my own that this program worked even in cases where its counterparts refused to either start or see the drive. I recommend having it in your arsenal for anyone who often works with ISO or optical discs.
Virtual Clone Drive
This program is free and designed to create a virtual drive. The program is very simple and reliable. Supports up to 15 virtual drives, fully integrated into windows explorer, for easier and faster operation.
In general, compared to many similar programs in this spectrum, it stands out noticeably. I recommend to get acquainted.
Key features:
- support for all popular image formats: ISO, BIN, IMG, UDF, DVD, CCD;
- emulation of up to 15 virtual drives (CD, DVD, and Blu-ray);
- there is a history of using images (for faster search and reading of the desired file);
- convenient embedding in the explorer (now any image can be opened with a couple of mouse clicks!).
In Windows 7, any user can easily create a virtual disk without using third-party software. At the same time, its structure is no different from the physical carrier, as well as the principle of operation. Since all information will be stored in one file, confusion can be avoided. In addition, it quickly connects to virtual machine that will be appreciated by programmers and system administrators.
Instructions for creating
There are two ways to achieve your goal in the "seven". One of them is somewhat more complicated, since it involves the use command line. However, it provides the user with several more options.
Through Disk Management
First you need to go to the main menu of the "Start" operating system and enter the word "control" in the search bar. After completion of the operation a window will appear where you need to click on Computer Management. Expanding the drop-down menu "Storage Device", the option "Disk Management" is selected. In the central part of the window, all logical drives into which the hard drive is divided will be displayed.
To create a virtual disk on Windows 7, go to the "Action" tab located on the top panel. After that, select the appropriate item in the drop-down menu. A new window will appear asking you to configure the parameters of the future disk- the user must specify the file location, size and name. When performing these actions, you need to follow two simple rules:
- The name must not contain the word Windows.
- The virtual disk cannot be located in the folder with the installed operating system.
When choosing a format, you should prefer "Fixed", which will allow the partition to immediately occupy all the free space allotted to it and thereby reduce system load. If you use a dynamic disk, then its size will gradually increase as new information is added. As a result, when the physical partition fills up, you may experience problems with the performance of the computer.
When all the necessary settings are completed, it remains to click on OK. For creating Windows disk it will take some time. When it is displayed in the central part of the window, you need to right-click and select "Initialize". To be again make a few tweaks, and the first choice will be the type of main boot area. If its size is less than 2 TB, then you can give preference to MBR. If desired, the user can quickly convert it to GPT while there is no data on the disk.
After initialization new disk will not have a distributed area, and this situation needs to be corrected. Right-click and select "Create Simple Volume". As a result, the volume creation wizard will be launched and the user must again set several parameters:
After completing all the operations, you should click on "Finish", and the disk can be used. If the virtual disk is no longer needed, then removing it is easy - just right-click and select the appropriate item. Checking the checkbox " Delete virtual disk”, it will not only be disabled, but also deleted along with all the information it contains. Similarly, you can delete a virtual disk in Windows 10.
DISKPART utility
It not only allows you to create a hard drive, but also offers a few more options than the first method. First, the utility must be found through the Start menu by typing diskpart in the search bar. On the line with the found utility, you need to right-click and run it on behalf of the admin.
To create a virtual partition 1. vhd of a fixed size (2000 MB) at the root of the logical D partition, you must enter the following command - create vdisk file= D:\1.vhd type=fixed maximum=2000. After that, you need to press Enter. To select a created disc the command must be entered - select vdisk file = D:\1. vhd. Then a few more commands are written:
- Attach vdisk - attaching a virtual partition.
- List disk - view the results of previous operations.
- Create partition primary - a primary partition is created.
Windows will then prompt you to format the drive. This can be done from the command line or use the appropriate operating system wizard. This completes the process of creating a virtual disk in Windows 7 and you can start using it, for example, install a second OS from a USB flash drive.
Create a virtual drive
Often there is a need to create a virtual drive. Today, many users exchange on the Internet ISO images. To use the information contained in them, it is convenient to make a virtual drive. There are many programs available to solve this problem.
Gizmo Drive
A good program for creating a virtual disk that supports not only ISO, but also other popular formats. You can easily install an image into the created drive, and its contents will be displayed in Windows Explorer or another file manager. The application can also create images and write them to optical or flash drives.
It should be noted that the program has its own file manager. The utility has become popular due to its simple interface. Developers offer PC users to create images in Gdrive format. With his help you can simulate the work of a physical hard drive with the possibility of compression and encryption. While working with a virtual DVD drive, system memory is used, which significantly increases the data transfer speed.
DAEMON Tools Lite
The program has been very popular among PC users for many years and is one of the leaders in its class. With her help you can create a maximum of four drives. It should be noted that many competitors in this regard offer more opportunities. Daemon Tools is intended for ordinary users, who should have enough of the number of disks proposed by the developer.
Particular attention should be paid to the application interface, which is as simplified as possible. With it, you can quickly open the desired image and mount it. In some similar programs virtual drive after reboot may disappear. Similar problem not seen in the Daemon Tool. If the user does not have enough functionality free utility, you can purchase a paid one. The only drawback of the program can be considered the presence in latest versions advertising.
There are much more programs for emulating optical drives, for example, the same UltraISO. However, it is paid, and this is definitely a serious drawback.