Mounting an ISO File on your Windows Cloud Server

Windows does not include a function that lets you mount an ISO into the Operating System, which normally would force you to convert that ISO to a CD. However there are utilities that will allow you to mount an ISO, which comes in handy, especially if you are wanting to convert CD's to ISO's  for transfer to your server. This article will go over using what we feel to be the best ISO mounting tool for your Windows Cloud Server, Virtual Clone Drive.

Virtual Clone Drive

Virtual Clone Drive is a free to use ISO mounting utility that will work on Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 and has a very low memory foot print. Unlike another free ISO utility, Daemon Tools, it will not install spyware or force you to agree to an agreement or attempt to change your search engine for you. You just install it and it will associate with your ISO's. Then you can simply double click on an ISO or right click on it and choose to mount it.

Installing Virtual Clone Drive

1. You can download Virtual Clone Drive by going to http://www.slysoft.com/en/download.html. This install file works for both 32-bit and 64-bit, so there's no need to look for different versions of the install. Downclick the application and follow the directions.
2. Either elect to take the default assoications or choose to manually selection the associations.



3. You will need to specify a directory if you choose not to use the default location.



4. Once installed, you will need to click on the icon that was placed on your desktop or choose the application from your programs list. There you will be able to set the options for Virtual Clone Drive, such as the amount of drives to emulate and how long the mount history can be seen.



5. Finally to mount an ISO, you will need to click on one of the drives you created and choose "Mount". You will then be able to browse to the ISO and mount it.

Now you can view the contents of the ISOby opening the drive, just like you would with a CD or DVD.