What is .iso?
.iso is a disc image format that stores a sector-by-sector copy of an optical disc such as a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray. Instead of containing individual files like a ZIP archive, an ISO recreates the entire filesystem layout of the original disc, including boot sectors and metadata.
This quick guide explains when to use .iso files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .iso files
- You are distributing OS installers, live Linux distributions, or recovery tools originally designed for physical discs.
- You need an exact replica of a CD/DVD/BD, including bootable sectors and filesystem structure.
- You want to archive old installation media or game discs without keeping the physical disc handy.
- You plan to mount the image as a virtual drive or write it to a USB stick or disc.
How to open .iso files
On Windows 8 and later, you can right-click an ISO file and choose 'Mount' to attach it as a virtual drive; double-clicking often mounts it automatically. On macOS, DiskImageMounter opens ISOs by default and mounts them in Finder. Linux desktops support mounting via file managers or the 'mount' command. Tools like Rufus, balenaEtcher, and dd can write ISO images to USB drives for bootable installers. You can upload .iso files to FileXhost to share them as large, downloadable images, though recipients still need compatible tools to mount or burn them.
Algorithm details
ISO images typically follow the ISO 9660 filesystem standard (with extensions like Joliet, UDF, or Rock Ridge). The file stores raw sector data in sequence, mirroring the layout of the original disc. Because it preserves the filesystem and boot sectors, an ISO can be burned back to physical media or used directly by virtual drive software to emulate a disc.
Browser & platform support
- Desktop: Browsers treat .iso files as binary downloads; there is no in-browser mounting or browsing of ISO contents.
- Mobile: ISO files must be opened with specialized file manager or disc image apps, and are often too large for casual use.
- OS: Windows, macOS, and Linux provide native or near-native support for mounting and working with ISO images.
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Designed to represent entire discs and filesystems, unlike ZIP or 7z, which focus on compressing file collections. |
| Compression | ISO itself does not compress data; many disc images remain large and may be wrapped in compressed formats when needed. |
| Bootability | Can preserve boot sectors and structures required for OS installers and live environments. |
| Convenience | Excellent for faithfully replicating discs; less convenient than ZIP for everyday file sharing. |
How to create iso files
- Disc Burning Tools: Use software like ImgBurn, Brasero, or macOS Disk Utility to create ISOs from physical discs or folder structures.
- CLI: On Linux, tools like genisoimage or mkisofs build ISO images from directories.
- Virtualization/DevOps: Many virtualization and CI tools output OS images as ISOs for installation.
- Backup Utilities: Some backup tools can generate ISO images for archival purposes.
How to convert iso files
- FileXhost: Upload ISO files to share installers or disc images as direct downloads.
- Desktop: Use archive tools (7-Zip, WinRAR, PeaZip) to extract files from an ISO without mounting.
- CLI: Mount an ISO and copy its contents to create ZIP, TAR, or other archive formats.
- Imaging Tools: Convert between ISO, IMG, and other disk image formats with specialized software.
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Preserves entire disc structure and bootability
- Standard format recognized by OS installers, virtual machines, and disc tools
- Simplifies distribution of OS images and installation media
- Works well with virtual drive mounting
Disadvantages
- No built-in compression; files can be very large
- Less user-friendly than ZIP for simple file sharing
- Requires mounting or extraction tools to browse contents
Tools & software
Mounting/Burning
Windows Explorer (Mount), macOS DiskImageMounter, Daemon Tools, Virtual CloneDrive, Brasero, ImgBurn
USB Writers
Rufus, balenaEtcher, UNetbootin, dd
Archivers
7-Zip, WinRAR, PeaZip, Keka (for extracting ISO contents)
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a bootable USB from an ISO?
Use tools like Rufus (Windows), balenaEtcher (cross-platform), or the 'dd' command on Linux/macOS to write the ISO to a USB drive. Be careful to select the correct drive, as this process overwrites its contents.
Can I open an ISO like a normal folder?
Yes, on modern operating systems. Mount the ISO as a virtual drive (right-click > Mount on Windows, double-click on macOS), then browse it like any other drive. Alternatively, use archive tools like 7-Zip to extract files.
Why is my ISO so large?
ISO files replicate everything on the original disc, including unused or rarely accessed data. They do not compress by default, so large installers and game assets result in large ISO files.
Is it safe to delete the ISO after creating a bootable USB?
Yes, as long as you no longer need the ISO for future USB creation or archival. The bootable USB will continue to work independently, but you would need the ISO again if you want to recreate it.
Technical specs
- File type
- Archive
- Extension
- .iso
- MIME type
- application/x-iso9660-image, application/octet-stream
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.
Share .iso files instantly
Upload your .iso file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .iso file