To mount an ISO file in Windows 10, open File Explorer, right-click the ISO file, and select Mount. You can also just double-click it. Windows opens the ISO as a virtual DVD drive with its own drive letter, so you can open, copy, or run the files inside, such as setup.exe.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 26, 2026.
An ISO file is a copy of a whole disc in one file. Windows 10 can open it without any extra software. On a newer PC, the steps to mount an ISO file in Windows 11 are nearly the same.
Mount an ISO file
- Open File Explorer (Windows logo key + E) and go to the ISO file, often in Downloads.
- Right-click the ISO file and select Mount. Or double-click it.
- A new drive, such as DVD Drive (E:), opens and shows the files inside.
Mount from the ribbon
Select the ISO file once, open the Manage tab under Disk Image Tools at the top of File Explorer, and select Mount. This is useful if double-clicking opens another program.
Mount IMG and virtual hard disk files too
- .img disc images mount exactly like ISO files: double-click or right-click and select Mount.
- .vhd and .vhdx virtual hard disks, such as backups made by Windows, also mount with a double-click. They appear as a regular drive you can read and write to. Right-click the drive and select Eject when you’re finished.
Install or run a program from the ISO
Open the mounted drive and double-click setup.exe (or the file the program’s instructions name). This is how you install software or run a Windows upgrade from an ISO.
Copy files out of an ISO
Mounting is the easiest way to extract an ISO in Windows 10. Open the mounted drive, select the files, and copy them to a folder on your PC.
Eject the ISO when you’re done
- In File Explorer, select the mounted drive under This PC.
- Select the Manage tab (under Drive Tools).
- Select Eject. Or right-click the drive and select Eject.
Restarting the PC also unmounts it.
If Mount is missing
Another app may have taken over ISO files. Right-click the ISO, select Open with > Windows Explorer, and check Always use this app to open .iso files. See how to set default apps in Windows 10.
ISO files stored on a network drive or in a compressed folder may not mount. Copy the ISO to your PC first.
Mount an ISO with PowerShell
This is handy in scripts or when the right-click menu isn’t available. Open PowerShell and run, using your own file path:
Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath "C:\Users\You\Downloads\file.iso"To eject it, run the same command with Dismount-DiskImage instead.
Check the ISO downloaded correctly
Many publishers list a SHA-256 checksum next to the download. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash "C:\path\to\file.iso" and compare the long code it shows with the one on the website. If they don’t match, the file is damaged or incomplete, so download it again.
If the ISO won’t mount
- “Couldn’t mount file. The disc image file is corrupted.” The download was incomplete. Download it again and check the checksum as described above.
- “Sorry, there was a problem mounting the file.” The file may be in a compressed or encrypted folder, or marked as blocked. Copy it to a normal folder such as Documents, right-click it, select Properties, check Unblock if it appears, and try again.
- The ISO is on a network drive or USB stick. Copy it to your PC first. Mounting from some locations fails.
- The mounted drive is empty or unreadable. The image may be a format Windows can’t mount, such as a disc image made for Mac or Linux.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put an ISO on a USB drive?
To make a USB drive you can start a PC from, see how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.
Can I burn an ISO to a DVD?
Yes. Insert a blank DVD, right-click the ISO, and select Burn disc image.
Does mounting change the ISO file?
No. The virtual drive is read-only, so the ISO stays as it was.
What’s the difference between mounting and burning an ISO?
Mounting opens the ISO as a virtual drive on your PC, with nothing written anywhere. Burning writes it to a physical DVD, or to a USB drive with a tool, so you can use it on another PC or start a computer from it.
For movie discs, see how to play DVDs on Windows 10.
Before you mount an ISO you downloaded, you can check its SHA256 checksum to make sure the file is complete.
To get a Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft, see how to download a Windows 10 ISO file.
Microsoft’s guide is Using ISOs. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.