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How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files

ISO files are exact copies of a DVD or CD. They're great for archiving and sharing discs without worrying about scratches or other damage. You can create ISO images using any operating system, though Windows users will need to download an...
Method 1 of 3:

Windows

  1. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 1How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 1
    Download and install a disc imaging utility, such as InfraRecorder. Windows does not come with the ability to create ISO files, so you'll need to use a separate program. There are many programs out there that can do this, but many of them also come with adware and other junkware. InfraRecorder is a free, open-source imaging program that does not contain any adware. No one profits from you downloading and installing it.
    1. You can download InfraRecorder for free from infrarecorder.org. Download the installer and then run it to install the program. By default, a shortcut will be created on your desktop and in the Start menu.
  2. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 2How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 2
    Insert the disc that you want to copy. You can create an ISO image from any CD or DVD. The resulting image file will be the same size as the data on the disc (up to 800 MB for a CD, or 4.7 GB for a DVD).
  3. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 3How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 3
    Launch InfraRecorder. A small InfraRecorder window will appear.
  4. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 4How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 4
    Select "Read Disc." This will open the "Copy to Disc Image" window.
  5. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 5How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 5
    Select your disc drive from the drop-down menu. Choose the drive that you have inserted the disc into.
  6. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 6How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 6
    Click the "..." button next to the "Image file" field. This will allow you to choose where you want to save your new ISO file, and what you want to label it.
    1. By default, it will save to your Documents folder.
  7. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 7How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 7
    Click "OK" to begin creating the ISO file. The time this takes will depend on the size of the disc and the speed of your drive. Once the process is complete, you'll find the ISO file in the location you set in the previous step.[1]
Method 2 of 3:

Mac OS X

  1. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 8How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 8
    Open Disk Utility. You can use the Disk Utility program to create image files from any of your CDs or DVDs. You can find this in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. You can also press ⌘ Command+Space and type "disk utility" to search for it.[2]
  2. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 9How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 9
    Insert the disc you want to copy. Insert the CD or DVD that you want to create a disc image from.
  3. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 10How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 10
    Click the File menu and select the "New" option. This will open a submenu.
  4. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 11How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 11
    Select "Disk Image from ." "" will be the drive that contains the CD or DVD.
  5. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 12How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 12
    Give the image file a name and location. Saving it to your Desktop will make it easy to find later.
  6. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 13How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 13
    Ensure that "DVD/CD master" is selected for "Image Format." This will create a correct copy of the disc.
  7. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 14How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 14
    Click "Save" to begin creating the image file. The time this takes will depend on the size of the disc and the speed of your drive.
  8. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 15How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 15
    Find the finished CDR file. Your Mac will create the image file in CDR format. This is fine if you only plan on using it on a Mac, but you can convert it to an ISO file if you'd like.
  9. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 16How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 16
    Open the Terminal. You can convert the CDR file to an ISO file using a simple Terminal command. You can find the Terminal in your Utilities folder.
  10. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 17How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 17
    Convert the CDR file to an ISO file. Enter the following command to convert the file, replacing the path with your own file's path:
    1. hdiutil convert ~/Desktop/original.cdr -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/converted.iso
Method 3 of 3:

Ubuntu/Linux

  1. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 18How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 18
    Insert the disc you want to copy. You can use the tools that come with Ubuntu to create ISO files without any additional software.
  2. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 19How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 19
    Open Brasero. This program comes preinstalled with Ubuntu, and can quickly create ISO files from discs.
    1. You can find Brasero by pressing ⊞ Win and then typing "brasero."
  3. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 20How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 20
    Select the "Disc Copy" option. The "Copy CD/DVD" window will appear.
  4. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 21How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 21
    Select your disc drive from the first menu. If you only have one disc drive, it will be selected by default.
  5. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 22How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 22
    Select "Image File" from the "Select a disc to write to" option. This will create an image file from the original disc instead of copying it to a blank one.
  6. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 23How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 23
    Click "Create Image." You'll be prompted to give the image file a name and select the location you want to save it to. After that, Ubuntu will begin creating the ISO file from the disc inserted in the computer.
  7. How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 24How to Convert a CD or DVD to ISO Image Files Picture 24
    Use the Terminal to create an ISO file. if you'd rather use the Terminal, you can create an ISO file using a single command. Open the Terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T and enter the following:[3]
    1. sudo dd if=/dev/cdrom of=/home/username/image.iso
    2. Replace /dev/cdrom with the path to your disc drive. Replace the path for the ISO file with whatever path you'd like to save it to.
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