Recently, I downloaded a huge .iso image. I didn’t have a blank DVD handy. Instead of rushing to the store to buy a blank DVD, I used Virtual CD-ROM from Microsoft. It is very easy to use.
The program runs on Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional. I don’t have Vista. So I don’t know if it works.
1. Download Virtual CD-ROM from Microsoft.
2. Run the exe.
3. Follow the instructions in README.TXT.
Eventually, the .iso image will be mounted to a drive and you can click the setup program to install whatever program is on the .iso image.
Here is the content of the README.TXT.
Readme for Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel v2.0.1.1
THIS TOOL IS UNSUPPORT BY MICROSOFT PRODUCT SUPPORT SERVICES
System Requirements
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- Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional
Installation instructions
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1. Copy VCdRom.sys to your %systemroot%\system32\drivers folder.
2. Execute VCdControlTool.exe
3. Click “Driver control” 4. If the “Install Driver” button is available, click it. Navigate to the %systemroot%\system32\drivers folder, select VCdRom.sys, and click Open.
5. Click “Start”
6. Click OK 7. Click “Add Drive” to add a drive to the drive list. Ensure that the drive added is not a local drive. If it is, continue to click “Add Drive” until an unused drive letter is available.
8. Select an unused drive letter from the drive list and click “Mount”. 9. Navigate to the image file, select it, and click “OK”. UNC naming conventions should not be used, however mapped network drives should be OK.
You may now use the drive letter as if it were a local CD-ROM device. When you are finished you may unmount, stop, and remove the driver from memory using the driver control.
