Tips to open .ISO files in Windows 8 without software

In previous versions of Windows, users would have to install external applications to use ISO image files . The image file of the disc. ISO can be used to install programs, play games, watch movies or do anything you can do with a real disc.

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Because of the convenience and popularity of the .ISO image file , Windows 8 has changed everything by providing this feature right in the file manager of Windows 8 - File Explorer .

How to choose File Explorer is the default application to open the ISO file

First, you will need to make sure that File Explorer (or Windows Explorer) is set as the default application to open ISO files . If you're currently leaving another software by default to open an .ISO format like Winrar, then you need to follow these steps to reinstall.

The fastest way is to right-click an ISO file that you have stored on your hard drive. Select ' Open with ' and click ' Choose default program - Choose default program… '

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Check ' Use this app for all .iso files - Use this application for all iso files ' and then select Windows Explorer . Microsoft uses the name Windows Explorer instead of File Explorer in this menu.

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Mount an ISO file with File Explorer to use

The most useful feature is the use of File Explorer to read the .Iso file as a virtual drive . That is, you do not need another virtual drive creation software . Right on the default Windows 8 file manager, you can Mount an ISO file into a virtual drive easily .

- To do this, right-click the ISO file you want to insert into the virtual drive. Then select Mount .

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- If File Explorer is set by default to open those files, you can also double-click the ISO file.

- A third way is to choose an ISO file. Then, on the Windows Explorer toolbar, navigate to the Manage tab and click on the Mount button .

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File Explorer will then automatically place the .Iso file on a virtual drive. You can find this drive in My Computer - My PC .

Also, if you left AutoPlay in when you inserted the disc. You will see the AutoPlay dialog box appear and prompt you to select an action.

Once mounted, you should see your virtual drive listed in the list of drives on File Explorer .

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You will find it in the Removable Storage device group.

Un-mount or Eject an ISO file from the virtual drive in File Explorer

When you're done working with an ISO file on the virtual drive, you'll want to exit it, similar to removing a regular CD or DVD from the drive.

To do this, right-click on the virtual drive in the My Computer section of File Explorer and then click on Eject .

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Another method is to select the virtual drive. Then, on the ribbon Menu, go to the Manage tab and click the Eject button .

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The ISO file will be removed from the virtual drive without any prompts or confirmation displayed.

Conclude

The ability to create and use virtual drives on Windows to use .ISO image files has been popular for a long time. However, by installing an external software on your computer, it takes more time and resources when it works.

As long as you're using Windows 8 or later , using File Explorer - Windows' file manager is the quickest, easiest and most recommended way to open ISO files .