How to Open and Use ISO Files on Windows, Mac, and Linux

What an ISO file is and why it might be locked

An ISO file is a single compressed folder that holds an exact copy of a disc — usually a software installer, operating system, or game. Your computer does not automatically recognize it as something to open the way it recognizes a Word document or a photo. Instead, you have to tell your computer to treat it like a disc by mounting it, which means attaching it to a virtual drive.

You may think an ISO file is "locked" because double-clicking it does nothing, or because your computer asks what program should open it. That is the normal behavior. ISO files are not actually locked in the sense that a password protects them — they just need the right tool to read them.

The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether you want to simply read what is inside or burn the ISO to a physical disc or USB drive.

Key Takeaways

ISO files are not locked — they are disc images that need to be mounted (attached to a virtual drive) before your computer can read them.
Windows 10 and later can mount ISO files by right-clicking and selecting "Mount"; older Windows versions need free software like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
Mac users can double-click an ISO file and it will mount automatically; no additional software is required.
If you want to burn an ISO to a USB drive or DVD, you need separate software like Rufus, Etcher, or your operating system's built-in tool.
Never delete the ISO file itself after mounting it — mounting does not extract or move it, so you need the original file to stay in place.

Mounting an ISO file on Windows 10 and later

Windows 10, Windows 11, and later versions have built-in ISO support. Right-click the ISO file, then select "Mount" from the menu. Windows will create a virtual disc drive and attach the ISO to it. You will see a new drive letter appear in File Explorer (usually D: or E:, depending on how many drives you already have). Open that drive letter to see the contents of the ISO.

The virtual drive stays mounted until you unmount it. To unmount, right-click the drive letter in File Explorer and select "Eject". The ISO file itself remains on your computer — mounting does not move or delete it.

If you are using Windows 7 or an older version of Windows 10 that does not have this feature, skip to the section on third-party software below.

Mounting an ISO file on Mac

Mac computers handle ISO files automatically. Simply double-click the ISO file in Finder, and macOS will mount it as a disc. A new volume appears on your desktop and in the Finder sidebar, just like an external hard drive would. You can now open files from the ISO or run an installer.

To unmount the disc, drag it to the Trash or right-click it in Finder and select "Eject". The ISO file stays on your computer.

Mounting an ISO file on Linux

Linux distributions include built-in tools to mount ISO files. Open a terminal and use the mount command. First, create an empty folder where the ISO will attach — for example, mkdir ~/iso_mount. Then mount the ISO with sudo mount -o loop /path/to/file.iso ~/iso_mount, replacing the path with the actual location of your ISO file.

You will need to enter your password. Once mounted, navigate to the folder you created to see the ISO contents. To unmount, use sudo umount ~/iso_mount.

Different Linux distributions may have graphical file managers that can mount ISO files with a right-click menu, similar to Windows and Mac. Check your distribution's documentation if you prefer not to use the terminal.

Using third-party software if your operating system does not support mounting

If you have an older version of Windows or a system that does not natively support ISO mounting, free software can do the job. 7-Zip and WinRAR both open ISO files like archive folders. Download either program, install it, then right-click the ISO file and select "Open with 7-Zip" or "Open with WinRAR". You will see a folder view of the ISO contents and can extract individual files if needed.

Another option is DAEMON Tools Lite, which creates a virtual disc drive specifically for ISO files. Download and install it, then right-click the ISO and select "Mount with DAEMON Tools". A virtual drive appears in your file manager.

All of these programs are free for personal use. Download only from the official websites to avoid bundled software you do not want.

Burning an ISO to a USB drive or DVD

Mounting an ISO lets you read it, but if you need to install an operating system or run software from a physical disc or USB drive, you must burn the ISO. This is different from mounting — burning writes the ISO contents to the physical media.

On Windows, use Rufus (free, for USB drives) or the built-in Windows Disc Image Burner (for DVDs). On Mac, use Etcher (free, for USB drives) or Disk Utility (built-in, for DVDs). On Linux, use GNOME Disks or Etcher.

These tools are straightforward: select the ISO file, select the target drive or disc, and click burn. The process takes a few minutes. Do not remove the USB drive or disc until the tool says it is complete.

What to do if the ISO file is actually password-protected

Rarely, an ISO file may be inside a password-protected archive (a .zip or .rar file). In that case, you cannot mount the ISO until you extract it from the archive. Use 7-Zip, WinRAR, or your operating system's built-in archive tool to extract the ISO, entering the password when prompted. Once extracted, the ISO file itself is not password-protected — only the archive was.

If someone gave you an ISO file and told you it has a password, ask them for clarification. ISO files themselves do not have password protection. The password may apply to the archive it came in, or it may be for the software inside the ISO (like a Windows installation key), which is different from unlocking the file itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete the ISO file after I mount it?

No. Mounting does not extract or copy the contents — it just tells your computer to read the ISO as if it were a disc. If you delete the ISO, the mounted drive will become empty or unmount automatically. Keep the ISO file as long as you need access to it.

Why does my computer say "cannot mount" or "access denied"?

The ISO file may be corrupted, or your user account may not have permission to mount drives. Try running the mount command or software as administrator (right-click and select "Run as administrator" on Windows). If the error persists, try downloading the ISO file again from the source.

Do I need to burn an ISO to a USB drive, or can I just copy the file onto it?

Simply copying the ISO file onto a USB drive will not work for installation or booting. You must use burning software like Rufus or Etcher, which writes the ISO contents in a way that makes the USB drive bootable. Copying the file is different from burning it.

What is the difference between mounting and extracting?

Mounting attaches the ISO as a virtual drive so you can read files from it without changing anything. Extracting copies all the files out of the ISO into a regular folder on your computer. Use mounting if you just need to read or install from the ISO. Use extracting if you want a permanent copy of the files outside the ISO.

Can I edit files inside a mounted ISO?

No. A mounted ISO is read-only — you can open and copy files from it, but you cannot change or delete them. If you need to edit files, extract them to a regular folder first, make your changes, and then create a new ISO if needed.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.