16

I need a free (libre) utility for Windows that allows a person to edit an ISO file.

The goal is to be able to:

  • Mount the ISO file with the ISO filesystem being readable and writeable.
  • Make changes to files in the ISO filesystem as needed via the utility.
  • Unmount the ISO filesystem with changes being saved to the ISO file.

How can I do this? Is there a utility, or do I need to build a toolchain?

11
  • @matt wilkie do you have a Winrar registered version?
    – avirk
    Jun 27, 2012 at 17:44
  • No @avirk, I don't. I generally use 7zip. Why, does registered winrar edit ISOs? Jun 27, 2012 at 18:02
  • @random, please elucidate why this was closed as not constructive. The question is clear, well worded, and specific. I fail to see what parts of it might solicit debate or argument. The question has been upvoted 10 times and been made a favourite 5 times, demonstrating strong interest in the answers. Jun 29, 2012 at 15:56
  • It's shopping for a product recommendation. That goes either off topic or not constructive @mat
    – random
    Jun 29, 2012 at 16:09
  • 1
    @random: I'm not trying to be difficult, but I must admit I don't understand. The FAQ says "shopping or buying", but this cannot apply to freeware. Polling isn't mentioned, but even if it was the dictionary makes it almost synonymous with voting, and certainly there was no voting requested here or an opinion poll. How is asking for recommendation same as polling? And remarking that SU, by its vote system, is nothing else than an opinion poll system.
    – harrymc
    Jun 30, 2012 at 15:23

4 Answers 4

9

There is no "free (libre) utility" that does all this.

You can use 7-Zip to extract ISO images, WinCDEmu to mount an ISO image and InfraRecorder rebuild and write the ISO image to disc.

7-Zip, WinCDEmu and InfraRecorder are free open source programs (which is pretty much as 'libre' as it gets :). Portable versions of 7-Zip and InfraRecorder are available.

2
  • 1
    InfraRecorder cannot view/edit ISOs, only burn them. May 29, 2017 at 12:16
  • anyburn.com is completely free and "edits" iso by opening one, letting you add/remove files then makes a copy of the new ISO. Does not modify in place, and for that matter I think most software creates a temporary file anyway before modifying the image.
    – Cristian
    Feb 3, 2022 at 12:54
3

I don't know of any free software that allows you to mount an ISO as a read/write drive. ImgBurn though is a free tool that will allow you to extract the contents of an ISO, then modify the files, then re-create the ISO.

4
  • 1
    I tried ImgBurn today. It's closed-source and adware-ridden. I've uninstalled it.
    – bukzor
    Mar 2, 2014 at 3:29
  • Yes, when I originally posted this, although it was closed source, it wasn't full of adverts. It has since gained more and more adverts so I'm also looking for an alternative.
    – pipTheGeek
    Mar 4, 2014 at 9:44
  • I've used InfraRecorder and am quite happy. It's open source and has all the features I want.
    – bukzor
    Mar 4, 2014 at 22:21
  • Poweriso + MagicISO + UltraISO + WinISO (filesize limit); ISOpen (FREE); SecureCD creator (FREE); ISO master + gBurner (trial period);
    – T.Todua
    Mar 25, 2014 at 13:50
3

UltraISO: On June 2009, PC User magazine Australia offered v9 full version to its readers.

Here are the registration details:

Name: PC User readers
Serial: 4BF9-8D1E-1786-30A8

Do take note that this registration details will NOT work on the trial installer that is downloadable from UltraISO's website, but the original version can still be found by googling for uiso93pes.exe.

TotalMounter is advertised as a free ISO editor, but I have no experience with it.

Folder2Iso does what it is named for and can be used instead of an ISO editor.

4
  • is there a citation for the PC User magazine offering? ...just thinking it would be a good idea to back the claim up, making it clear this isn't warez or similar. Jun 27, 2012 at 17:50
  • This UltraISO freebie is plastered all over the Internet, but impossible to find out its source, since PC User was apparently sold. One source is here.
    – harrymc
    Jun 27, 2012 at 21:38
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    Re: Folder2Iso; the Folder2Iso page itself says clearly About : Folder2Iso just creates an iso from any kind of folder (with the subfolders). Nothing about editing. Re: TotalMounter; Cool. A virtual CDVD-RW software has been elusive for a long time. My only concern is with the terrible writing on the page. It looks like a non-native English-speaker wrote it, but there is no indication of the company being foreign. Oh, also, it seems to be free due to built-in ads.
    – Synetech
    Jun 28, 2012 at 6:05
  • @Synetech: Folder2Iso: I just wanted to mention it as last possibility, when having no other solution, to edit the folder and then create the ISO. Not the best, but at least free.
    – harrymc
    Jun 29, 2012 at 14:03
1

New answer:

There's practically no all-in-one utility to achieve this on Windows, although some alternatives for Linux exist. Your best bet is to extract the files, change them and them generate a new ISO, or work with 7-Zip.


Old, but updated answer:

You clearly state that you want to mount and then edit your image file. So:

  • For a FOSS/Libre utility, try ISO Master or AcetoneISO.
  • I'd suggest using a freeware or even shareware utility, like 7-Zip, MagicISO, etc.
3
  • An old question but I recently stirred the pot as I'm looking for updated answers. :) The feature set of AcetoneISO looks rich, but is linux only and this Q is specifically for Windows. 7zip has already been mentioned. MagicISO is new to this thread, mentions editing as a feature, but while inexpensive is not free. Jun 29, 2012 at 16:07
  • Is AcetoneIso a free iso editor? maybe not..
    – T.Todua
    Mar 26, 2014 at 22:21
  • @Solutioner: It's FOSS although it's not an editor indeed. Best and probably only free alternative for windows is 7Zip. ISO Master is free for linux and shareware for Windows but you have to find it on download sites such as softpedia. So, either one uses a shareware utility (lots of them: WinISO, MagicISO, PowerISO) or extracts the iso, changes the files, and creates a new one. No easy and free all-in-one solution exists (let alone a portable one...).
    – Astyanax
    Mar 29, 2014 at 13:01

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