When it comes to working with CDs or DVDs, depending on the type of content they include, we cannot simply make a exact copy of files as if it were a hard disk, but we must make an entire copy of the disk creating an image, an image that we can restore to another CD or DVD.
If we want to copy an installation CD or DVD of a software or game, or the entire content of a movie, the only method to carry it out successfully is creating an image in ISO format, a type of file that we can later open in any other operating system natively without installing third-party applications.
The first thing we must do is use an application that allows us to create ISO images of CDs or DVDs. One of the more complete applications to create them is Daemon Tools. In fact, it is one of the oldest that we can find on the internet together with UltraISO and PowerISO.
What is Daemon Tools
Daemon Tools is a fantastic tool for all those users who want, both crear ISO images how to open them later to decompress its content on the hard disk, view its content whether it is a movie or install the software it includes.
But in addition, it also offers us a large number of additional functions on the table:
- Protect the created images with a password.
- You send videos from a PC to an Android TV device
- Use the application only through the keyboard without using the mouse (which increases our productivity).
- Light and dark theme.
- It allows us to work with up to 4 virtual DT + SCSI + HDD units
- Compatible with VHD files (file format that represents a virtual disk drive and should not be confused with virtual disk)
- Supports TrueCrypt files (a format of the TrueCrypt application that allows files and entire hard drives to be encrypted with one key).
- Support for ISO, MDS, B5T, CDI, B6T, MDX, CDI, BIN / CUE, APE / CUE, FLAC / CUE ... images
- It includes a library where we can have at hand all the images of CDs and DVDs with which we usually work.
How Daemon Tools works
At the time of installation, we must read all the steps if we want prevent Avast antivirus from being installed during the process and select the Lite version at all times, otherwise it will open the browser to invite us to buy a license for the full version.
Once we have installed the application, the application will show us a window with all the functions it offers:
- Image Editor, with which we can create new images from optical discs, data or audio files and add a password to protect access.
- Virtual Hard Drive, a function that allows us to create and use custom virtual hard disks, TrueCrypt containers and different types of RAM disks.
- ISCSI initiatorThrough this function, we can connect iSCSI targets and use remote images, virtual hard drives and physical drives as if they were physically connected to our computer.
- Virtual recorder, function to record on pictures instead of discs.
- Windows integration. If we want Daemon Tools to become part of Windows, we can make use of this function. In doing so, it will be integrated into the contextual menus that we can find by clicking on the right mouse button.
- wrestling, a function that allows us to browse the content of a mobile device.
How to download Daemon Tools
Deamon Tools is a paid application that also has a Lite version with ads, a version that for 99% of users is more than enough, as long as your needs are to create and / or access images of CDs and DVDs. If we want to enjoy additional functions, we can buy the full version or buy the functions independently.
The paid version offers us periodic updates of the application with new functions and performance improvements. In addition, it allows us to use the application without any annoying advertising, we have priority when contacting the support of the application and it offers us a series of functions aimed at professionals and large companies that a home user will never use.
If you want to download Daemon Tools, you can do it directly from its website through this link. The full version of Daemon Tools It has a regular price of 64,99 euros, but in most cases, we can find it on the developer's website with interesting discounts, so if you usually work with these types of files, you should not miss out on any of the different offers they make.
Alternatives to Daemon Tools
While it is true that Daemon Tools is a fantastic tool, the Lite version offers us a large number of limitations for functions that we can find in other applications for free, such as WinCDEmu, PowerISO, UltraISO ...
WinCDEmu
WinCDEmu is a CD / DVD / BD emulator of open source, a tool that allows you to mount optical disc images simply by clicking on them in Windows Explorer. If you've downloaded an ISO image and want to use it without burning it to a blank disc, WinCDEmu is the easiest way to do it.
This free app supports images ISO, CUE, NRG, MDS / MDF, CCD, IMG ..., it allows us to create an unlimited number of virtual drives, it is compatible from Windows XP, it is available in a portable version if we do not want to install it on our computer, compatible drives CD, DVD and Blu-Ray and it is translated into Spanish.
Poweriso
Poweriso is a powerful tool for processing image files from CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays that allows us to open, extract, record, create, edit, compress, encrypt, divide and convert ISO files. In addition, it also allows us to mount this type of images in units to work with them.
PowerISO is priced at $ 29,95, is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions and is compatible starting with Windows 98. It is also available for Linux and macOS. On its website, we have at our disposal a large number of tutorials that will guide us step by step to get the most out of the application.
UltraISO
An excellent alternative to Daemon Tools is found in UltraISO, an application that is priced at $ 29,95 and allows us to duplicate CDs and DVDs, convert folders and / or files into ISO images, edit ISO images and convert them to other formats, create bootable CDs and DVDs, compatible with the formats .ISO, .BIN, .IMG, .CIF, .NRG, .MDS, .CCD, .BWI, .ISZ, .DMG, .DAA, .UIF, .HFS, allows us to add a password to protect the images ... and It is supported as of Windows 98.