Each of us has our own ideas about free software. Some computer owners are hostile to it and prefer to deal only with commercially distributed products, the price of which includes not only the honor and respect of the developers, but also services technical support. Others are confident that enthusiasm alone will not get you far; they predict a sad future for free and open source solutions and, if possible, try to avoid them. Still others, on the contrary, believe in the bright prospects of free and open source software, actively use it in everyday work and just as zealously promote its use.
One can endlessly list the advantages and disadvantages of freely distributed products, but one cannot help but take away one important quality from them - the freedom of choice that they provide. If, when purchasing software from coin-loving developers, users usually focus on the thickness of their own wallet, then when choosing free and open source applications, they rely solely on their own needs and imagination. If you don’t like one program, you can, with a little effort, try a lot of other products whose characteristics approach, and in some cases outshine, other commercial solutions on the market. In order not to be unfounded, we decided to present a selection of applications for burning optical discs that can make a worthy alternative paid programs and are a mandatory element in the arsenal of every PC user.
⇡InfraRecorder
Developer: infrarecorder.org
Distribution size: 3.3 MB
OS: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7
A program for burning CDs and DVDs, distributed with open source source codes and supports working with ISO, BIN/CUE disk images. InfraRecorder works with rewritable and multisession optical media and can find common language with Audio CDs and dual-layer DVDs, and is also equipped with functions for cloning discs and checking them for errors. One of the features of the application is the interface, implemented in the style of Windows Explorer and translated into forty-odd languages, including Russian. In addition to the standard editions of the utility for 32- and 64-bit platforms, the website of developer Christian Kindahl presents a portable version of InfraRecorder that works from any flash drive.
⇡BurnAware Free
Developer: burnaware.com
Distribution size: 5.9 MB
OS: Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
A tool for burning CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs. The functionality included in the program allows you to burn Audio-CD, DVD-Video and MP3 discs, create bootable and multi-session media, and also create ISO images from them. BurnAware Free has a module automatic update via the Internet and a mechanism for checking the recorded data to ensure that the process went smoothly. The utility's interface has been Russified, but the developers haven't gotten around to translating the help. In the process, the accelerator application tries to introduce the Ask.com toolbar into Windows, so those who are planning to twirl the tool in their hands are advised to be careful when installing it on their computer. It should also be noted that BurnAware Free cannot create exact copies of CDs and DVDs - this function is present in commercial editions of the product, which are beyond the scope of our review.
⇡ Nero 9 Lite
Developer: nero.com
Distribution size: 31.6 MB
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
A stripped-down version of the well-known package for burning discs Nero Burning ROM. It will appeal to those who love Nero products and are willing to put up with the numerous limitations of the free version of the application. The program can only burn CDs and DVDs, copy them, as well as clean rewritable discs and display reference information about the discs used. The Nero 9 Lite application was created with potential buyers of the full edition of the popular package in mind, and therefore abounds dialog boxes, encouraging the user to make a choice in favor of a commercial product. Similar to the above-mentioned program, Nero 9 Lite also installs in the browser Internet Explorer Ask.com toolbar and does this even if the checkbox is unchecked in the installer settings. And although an unnecessary component can subsequently be removed through the panel Windows management, the very fact of forced installation of the toolbar cannot but be alarming.
⇡ ImgBurn
Developer: imgburn.com
Distribution size: 4.4 MB
OS: All Windows versions, Linux (when using Wine environment)
One of the most powerful tools for working with CDs, DVDs, HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs. ImgBurn supports BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and PDI formats, allows the user to create audio discs from MP3, MP4, MPC, OGG, PCM, WAV, WMA and other files, interacts with any optical drives and can check the quality of data recording. The program is characterized by a huge number of parameters through which the user can flexibly manipulate the characteristics of the utility and customize it in his own way. No less interesting is the fact that all operations performed by ImgBurn are logged and shown as a report in a special window displayed next to the main application window. It hardly makes sense to recommend this program novice users, but advanced computer owners should like it.
⇡CDBurnerXP
Developer: cdburnerxp.se
Distribution size: 6.3 MB
OS: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7
Features of this program are a built-in manager for printing covers for discs, a module for converting NRG and BIN images to ISO, as well as a rich toolkit for creating audio CDs from files in MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC and WMA formats. Otherwise, CDBurnerXP is almost in no way inferior to ImgBurn, with the exception, perhaps, of the interface, which is easier to use and understandable to ordinary users. Thanks to the successful combination of all these factors, the utility has received special attention from many software portals and online media, including our online publication.
⇡DeepBurner Free
Developer: deepburner.com
Distribution size: 2.7 MB
OS: all versions of Windows
Another remake of a commercial product, the functionality of which was deliberately reduced by the developers. DeepBurner Free works with CD and DVD media (including multisession media), can create audio CDs and burn data borrowed from an ISO image onto discs. A Russified interface made in the style of Windows Explorer, an update checker module, settings for the drive buffer size - all this and much more is implemented in the program. For the convenience of potential users, the creators of DeepBurner Free have provided portable version applications designed to be copied to flash drives and then launched on any computer at hand.
⇡ Ashampoo Burning Studio Free
Developer: ashampoo.com
Distribution size: 8.2 MB
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
A product of the German company Ashampoo, distributed by the developer not directly from his own website, but through a network of partner sites. It differs from all the applications listed above in its ability to record data on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and create Audio-CD, Video-DVD, VCD, SVCD. The program supports work with more than 1,700 different drives, can copy media and create images in ISO formats, CUE/BIN, ASHDISC, copes well with rewritable and multi-session discs. If desired, Ashampoo Burning Studio Free can be used as a tool for creating backup copies of data and then restoring information at the right time. The only thing missing in the German product is the function of creating bootable disks, which in some cases can be extremely useful.
⇡Burn4Free
Developer: burn4free.com
Distribution size: 2.2 MB
OS: all operating versions Microsoft systems since Windows 98
A program for recording CDs, DVDs, AudioCDs, equipped with an interface that, when you look at it, involuntarily brings tears of sympathy to your eyes. If you brush them away and try to make sense of the heap of keys, a good half of which, when pressed, redirect you to advertised sites, you can come to the conclusion that Burn4Free actually can do a lot, but getting to the functionality built into the product is not so easy because behind the ubiquitous pop-up banners. The application burns ISO images, supports working with various music formats, interacts with more than three thousand models optical drives and is distinguished by other talents hidden under a layer of buttons of an archaic and completely stupid interface.
⇡ Small CD-Writer
Developer: small-cd-writer.com
Distribution size: 411 kb
OS: Windows (no information about specific versions)
The only program in our review for burning CDs and DVDs, created by the hands of domestic wizards. Unlike most similar programs, Small CD-Writer has a miniature size, works without installation, and does not require space for caching files. The utility allows you to create multi-session and bootable disks, burn ISO images of CDs, view all sessions on the disk and extract files from them, save projects on your computer disk. Automatic detection write drive and writing speed, coupled with the most simplified interface, allow users of any level of training to work with the program. To transfer files to optical media, simply select the “Send to Small CD-Writer” menu item in Windows Explorer and click the “Burn” button in the window that opens.
⇡ Express Burn
Developer: nch.com.au/burn/
Distribution size: 470 kb
OS: all editions of Windows, Mac OS X (starting from version 10.2)
Another miniature CD, DVD and Blu-ray burner. Despite its modest size, Express Burn has such functions as recording user data, creating audio and video discs, copying optical media and working with ISO images. Distinctive feature the program, according to the developers, is high speed work and low demands on computer computing resources. We were unable to find any shortcomings with Express Burn. The only disappointment was the lack of a portable edition of the product designed to run from flash devices.
⇡ Conclusion
In this section of the catalog we present you the best programs for working with disks. You can download them to your PC right now and completely free. The utilities have been tested for the absence of virus code, they are safe to use and multifunctional.
Daemon Tools Lite
Despite its rather light weight, the utility has high power and a wide list of tools. Using Daemon Tools Lite You will be able to play literally all possible disc images (B5T, BWT, ISO, etc.) made by one of the copying programs. One of the features of the software is that it allows you not to use the original disk every time.
In addition, Daemon Tools Lite will allow you to run pirated copies. The program has several special regimes, which are necessary for the normal operation of disk copies with an advanced level of protection ( useful option for discs with modern toys).
Among the advantages of the utility, we need to highlight a simple and intuitive interface, multilingualism, and functionality. With it, you can use any image of CD and DVD discs as if they were recorded on a disc located on the CD-ROM itself.
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Alcohol 120%
Another free and useful utility. Alcohol 120% will allow you to copy to protected and unprotected discs, burn to CD and DVD. You will be able to create exact images of the disk, and then load them into virtual drives without using physical media.
The list of program advantages includes support for literally all CD and DVD formats, as well as modern formats such as ATAPI SCSI. You can create up to 6 virtual drives, all of which support disk imaging at 200x speed. The list of possible disc formats is very extensive (CUE, CCD, MDS and many others). There are several custom image file extensions. You can create up to 31 disk images completely free of charge.
Working with discs implies a set of necessary functions for recording to CD/DVD. Therefore, this article will discuss the best software solutions to implement this feature. The tools of the presented programs will help you create and record images, obtain information about the media, and also erase a rewritable disc.
One of the most popular programs that has a set of necessary functions for burning discs. The convenient operation of creating an image from a CD/DVD will allow you to quickly copy a disk with autoloading. And mounting a virtual drive makes it possible to open image files saved on the PC.
This software contains an interesting tool with which you can convert image formats. All functions are provided in the Russian-language interface, but with the purchase of a paid version. UltraISO is suitable for people whose everyday life involves working with image formats.
ImgBurn
If you want to get detailed information about the recording media, then ImgBurn is capable of impressing you. In mode "Quality Test" the program outputs full information about all sessions (if the disc is rewritable) that were held on the media, as well as about its condition. It is possible to create an ISO file from objects contained on the HDD.
Checking the recorded CD/DVD is another advantage of this product, which will make sure that the recording was successful. When a disc is being burned, information about the recording status is displayed in a specific window. And the free distribution of the program attracts users related to solving such problems.
Alcohol 120%
Alcohol 120% software is known for its tools, which are aimed at working with ISO images. It allows you to create virtual drives so users can mount images on them. A convenient media manager tool allows you to see information about the CD/DVD, namely, what reading and writing functions the disc has.
By using public access to the drives, your files can be used by friends or work colleagues. If necessary, the program has a separate operation that allows you to erase a rewritable disk drive. With such an abundance of functions, the program is not free, and its acquisition cost is $43.
CDBurnerXP
Simple, but at the same time convenient program, allowing you to burn data discs. It is possible to create images for subsequent burning on CD/DVD. With CDBurnerXP you can create DVD Videos and Audio CDs.
The drive cleaning option has two options. The first allows you to quickly erase a disk, while the second performs this operation more carefully, excluding the recovery of deleted data. If your PC has two drives, you can use the disk copy function. Writing to the media occurs simultaneously with the copying operation. The free program is provided in Russian, which makes it even more convenient.
Ashampoo Burning Studio
The software is positioned as multifunctional. There are basic and additional tools for working with disk drives. Among the necessary ones there are such as burning discs with data, multimedia files, images. An additional set of functions includes recording with advanced settings and converting Audio CD.
There is support for recovering files on a disk if it was recorded backup. The ability to create a cover or label for a disc has been implemented, which allows you to end up with your own personal DVD. Working with images involves creating, recording and viewing them.
BurnAware
The program has an excellent set of tools that allow you to effectively work with disk media. The advantages include the opportunity to get detailed information about the disk and drive. Displays information about disk reading and writing, as well as the connection interface and drive capabilities.
It is possible to copy a project to burn it onto 2 or more drives. You can easily create ISO images from the required files and folders. Software solution makes it possible to copy a disk in image format. Among other things, you can burn discs in Audio CD and DVD Video formats.
InfraRecorder
InfraRecorder has many similarities to UltraISO. There are tools for burning discs in various formats, including Audio CD, Data DVD and ISO CD/DVD. You can also create images, but unfortunately you can't open them in InfraRecorder.
The program does not have much functionality, and therefore it has free license. The interface is extremely clear, in which top panel All necessary tools are placed. Among the advantages we can also note support for the Russian menu language.
Nero
One of the most popular programs for working with disk media and images. The solution has a multifunctional interface and ample opportunities for burning discs. Among the main ones is recording: data, video, audio, as well as ISO files. The program has the ability to add protection to specific media. Powerful tool to create a cover allows you to completely customize the disc label according to your preferences.
The built-in video editor makes it possible to edit a video and immediately record it on a disc. Using the data recovery function, you can scan your PC or disk drive for lost information. With all this, the program has a paid license and loads the computer quite heavily.
DeepBurner
The program has a set of necessary functions for recording disk drives. There is a help menu that fully reveals the capabilities of this solution. The help also contains detailed instructions on the use of each function.
You can record multisession drives, as well as create a bootable disk or Live CD. This decision provides a limited version, therefore, to further use the functionality you must purchase a paid license.
Small CD-Writer
The peculiarity of this program is that it does not require installation and does not take up space in the cache. Positioned as lightweight software for burning discs, Small CD-Write allows you to perform basic operations with drives. It is possible to create boot disk with the OS or software available on it.
The recording process is very simple, which can also be said about the program interface. Minimum set options implies free distribution from the developer’s website.
The above programs will allow you to effectively use their functions for burning discs. Additional tools will help you set up recording on the media, and also provide the opportunity to be creative in creating stickers for your disc.
Program interface: Russian
Platform:XP/7/Vista/8
Manufacturer: Daemon-tools.com
Website: www.daemon-tools.cc
Daemon Tools is a light version of one of the most powerful and universal programs, because it has many functionality, which are not available to other applications, and is designed to emulate various types of virtual drives. In other words, by creating a virtual disk image, you no longer need to insert the original CD or DVD every time you use an application. This is especially true for licensed software and many games, since hard drive a minimum part of the programs is installed, and the remaining files necessary for the correct operation of programs or games are located on the original disks.
Key features of Daemon Tools Lite
First of all, it is worth noting that the program is able to create up to 4 virtual disks, which any operating system will recognize as real ones. The same applies to various system utilities.
Using such virtual drives, the program can recognize any disk images, such as CUE/BIN, ISO, CCD, BWT, MDS, CDI, NRG, PDI, B5T. The only limitation of the light version is the inability to emulate such popular disks as PlayStation, X -BOX, GameCube, because on a regular drive, be it CD-R(W), DVD-R(W) or Blu-ray, such game discs are simply not readable. The operating system does not support such formats and does not detect the presence of a disk in the device.
However, when reading a disk image, its recognition is not always supported if the image was recorded using programs from different manufacturers of similar utilities. To its credit, Daemon Tools Lite has no flaws in this regard. The program detects images recorded using BlindWrite, CloneCD, Nero, Alcohol 120%, FantomCD, DiscDump or Disc Juggler without the need to install additional utilities (which, by the way, are not always free). An equally interesting feature is the ability to add audio CDs or DVDs previously recorded to the hard drive to the virtual drive, as if you were inserting such a disc into a regular drive. And that's not all!
Many discs contain very complex protection to prevent piracy. Daemon Tools Lite copes with this problem perfectly here too, allowing you to simply bypass it. The program easily “jumps over” modern protection methods such as SafeDisc (C-Dilla), Securom and Laserlock, CDCOPS, StarForce and Protect CD! From the point of view of copyright protection, this is, of course, illegal, however, it has its own convenience for fans of, say, games or for copying licensed discs with films or software.
I must say that the developers did a great job. It is unlikely that there will be such a powerful and advanced program that supports huge amount interfaces, images and utilities with which these images were created. Of course, the program is not classified as free, however, many users are willing to spend the required amount to purchase this product. But in the end they get almost unlimited possibilities when working with various types disks and virtual drives.
More and more users are faced with the concept of “ISO image”. Many files on the Internet are distributed with this extension. Let's look at what it is, why it is needed and how to create a virtual disk.
Any virtual optical disk can be considered an ISO image. This is a regular file that is no different from others. This type of extension cannot store service information as in the original CD, so you should not count on 100% similarity.
The term "ISO" is taken from file system"ISO 9660". This type is used in all CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays. Most often used to correctly write data to new disks. An archived copy of an optical disc does not use additional compression, so there is no need to perform unnecessary steps before burning.
Creating an ISO image makes it possible to copy and replicate licensed software, which allows you to significantly save on purchasing new ones. The idea is to bypass protection against unlicensed distribution. If files from a licensed disk are used on a flash drive, then use will be unavailable. When installing through an image, the system is easy to deceive, because it creates the appearance of installation through the original CD.
Programs and utilities for creating ISO images on Windows
To create an optical disk image, you must use special software on your computer. Consider 6 best utilities.
Ultra ISO program
One of the most famous utilities is "UltraISO". This software is paid, but it fully justifies its cost. Available free version, which limits the size virtual disk up to 300 MB. Works with more than 30 different extensions, multi-volume images and can generate checksums MD5.
First of all you need to download and install "UltraISO" from the official website. It is not recommended to trust third party services, since there is a high probability of catching a virus on your device. Be sure to check the resource from which you download the software!
At the bottom of the program will be available Windows Explorer. You must select files to create the image. This is done by right-clicking on the folder and selecting “Add” from the menu that appears. As soon as the user adds everything necessary, you need to click on the “File” button in the upper left corner and click on “Save”. “UltraIOS” will offer a saving option; select the required format yourself.
Poweriso program
Utility "Poweriso" designed for use not only with Windows, but also with other operating systems. For full use you need to buy licensed version on the official website of the developer. The “Free” version includes some restrictions - the image size is up to 300 MB and the appearance of a boot dialog every time you start it. Fans of freebies can download a pirated version from third-party resources, but you need to be careful and check the site.
After this, the created virtual disk can be used as desired.
BurnAware Free program
Using the program "BurnAware Free" users can not only create images, but also burn real discs. The word “burn” means to record information. The utility is free and has a Russian interface. Let's consider using it to create an image from a regular disk.
As you can see, using this application is extremely simple.
ImgBurn utility
"imgBurn"- free software for Windows. With this application you can record information on optical discs, save ISO on your computer and much more. More than 20 different formats are supported.
After this, "imgBurn" will report successful creation and displays the result on the screen.
You can use the virtual disk in any way you like.
Program "Alcohol 120"
One more thing free application — "Alcohol 120". Creates only copies of optical discs in the form of images and writes information to them.
As we see, "Alcohol 120" has somewhat limited functionality, since it cannot create virtual disks from files existing on the computer.
"Ashampoo Burning Studio Free"
Another popular application for burning optical discs. "Ashampoo Burning Studio" can backup data, create ISO, erase information on CD/DVD and much more. It is distributed free of charge, which is very surprising for this developer. The catch lies in many offers inside the utility for purchasing licensed software.
After this, the use of the virtual disk will become available. The program will notify the user that the result is ready and suggest further actions.
Bottom line
Creating an ISO image will help companies save on licensing fees. software, will help users bypass copy protection and make it easier to use personal computer. We looked at the 6 best utilities that will definitely help with this.