How to Run an ISO File Without Burning

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: August 29, 2024

This wikiHow teaches you how to view the contents of an ISO file on Windows and macOS.

How to Execute an ISO File

Download the ISO image onto your device. If you're using Windows, right-click the file and select “Mount” to access the new drive. If you’re on Mac, select “Open Disk Image” and click on your ISO file.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows

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You can also open File Explorer by right-clicking the Start button and selecting File Explorer.
You may have to double-click This PC in the left panel to expand additional folders before you can find the one you're looking for.

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A context menu will expand.
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Click Mount on the menu. This mounts the file, which means Windows will recognize it as a connected drive. If you don't see Mount as an option, follow these steps:
- Press Windows key + i to open your Windows Settings.
- Click Apps and select Click Default Apps.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click Set defaults by app.
- Select Windows Disc Image and click Manage.^{[1]
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- Click the name of the app you see listed as the default and select File Explorer.
- Return to File Explorer and you should be able to mount the file.
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Double-click the new drive in the left panel. Now that you've mounted the ISO file, you'll see a new virtual drive in the left panel under "This PC" (you may have to double-click This PC to see it).
- What happens when you double-click the virtual drive depends on the ISO file. For example, if the ISO is an image of a DVD that contains software, you may see a screen asking you to the software when double-clicking it. If there's no automatic installer, you may see a list of folders and files in the right panel—you can explore those files to see what's there and double-click files ending with EXE to run programs.
- If you want to unmount the ISO, right-click the drive in the left panel and select Eject.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

macOS

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It's the two-toned smiley face on the Dock, which is usually at the bottom of the screen.
You'll see it in the left panel.
It's in the left panel.
It's also in the left panel. This opens the Mac Disk Utility tool.
It's in the top-left area of the screen.
This opens the file picker.
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Select your ISO file and click Open. This mounts and opens the ISO file.
- What happens when you open the ISO depends on what's in the file. For example, if the ISO is set up to run a software installer, it may launch automatically. Usually it'll just open a window containing files, which you can then double-click to open.