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ISO

iso icon

CD/DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray disc ISO binary image

File type: Backup file, Disk image (ISO) binary file

Files with iso extension are generally used for common CD/DVD disk image format. ISOs are used as a standard backup format of physical disks and are widely supported by burning or virtualization software.

Found 6 different file type records with the same iso filename suffix.

What is iso file?

File type category:
Backup file
Disk image (ISO) binary file

Date updated: July 13, 2025

File extension iso is mainly used for binary images of CD, DVD discs. The generic file format for most optical media, including CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD and UMD.

ISO 9660, a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), defines a file system for CD-ROM media. It aims at supporting different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and systems that follow the Unix specification, so that data may be exchanged.

DVDs may also use the ISO 9660 file system. However, the UDF file system is also commonly used on DVDs.

What is ISO image archive file?

An ISO image is an archive file (a.k.a. disk image) of an optical disc using a conventional ISO (International Organization for Standardization) format that is supported by many software vendors.

ISO image is an unattached file format (like RAR and ZIP): it merges a series of files into one single file according to a definite format. ISO image files typically have a file extension of .ISO but Mac OS X (macOS) ISO images often have the extension .CDR.

The name "ISO" is taken from the ISO 9660 file system used with CD-ROM media. ISO 9660 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), defines a file system for CD-ROM media. It aims at supporting different computer operating systems such as Windows, classic Mac OS, and Unix-like systems, so that data may be exchanged.

Mime type used for iso image files:
application/x-iso-image

How to open iso file?

ISO binary image file is disk image file format, that is widely supported by many applications, which are used to manage disk/CD/DVD image files, such as ISOBuster, Free ISO Burner, NERO, MagicISO, PowerISO, Alcohol 120% and etc.

Some compression utilities can open ISO binary image, such as WinRAR or ZipZag.

Microsoft Windows 7 and above supports ISO disk image format and can burn ISO disk image file to CD/DVD medium.

How to convert iso file?

Applications, that can open ISO binary image file, have a support of another disk image formats, such as NRG, DAA, BIN, BWI, ISZ, MDF etc... and can convert ISO binary image file in to them.

Some compression utilities can open ISO image file. You can extract the contents of ISO image file.

Suggested software to open iso file:

Associated software actions with the iso file

Software applications that can edit iso files:

Software capable of saving iso files:

Software apps that import iso files:

Software apps that export iso files:

Articles about iso files

February 21, 2018

Burn ISO to USB drive

ISO format is a popular way for distribution of software, such as operating systems, video games, ba...

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August 4, 2016

Install Windows without DVD or USB

Microsoft Windows system is typically installed on computers with DVD installation media or with USB...

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October 13, 2015

Create ISO's with AnyToISO

Even with the new Windows 10, users are still unable to create ISO images with just the tools from t...

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September 29, 2015

Mounting ISO files in Windows 10

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March 20, 2014

How to play Sony Playstation games on Mac

Many gaming legends, like Tekken, Soul Blade, Final Fantasy and many more were released only for Son...

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March 7, 2013

Convert ISZ to ISO

ISZ is one of the many ISO-like disk image file formats. It can be frustrating to install app for ev...

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CALS ISO 8613 bitmap graphics

File type category:
Bitmap image file
Miscellaneous file

Date updated: November 21, 2017

Record marked as obsolete and not updated for a long time.

The iso file extension is associated with CALS, Computer Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support.

The .iso files may contain images in ISO 8613 raster graphics format, spreadsheets or video/voice. Standards used by NATO.

Associated software actions with the iso file

Apps designed for playing iso files:

Multiplatform

Software apps that import iso files:

Multiplatform

Cimagraphi CAD data

File type category:
3d graphics, CAD-CAM-CAE file

Date updated: June 10, 2019

The iso file extension is also reported to have been used in some older version of Cimagraphi CAD software for one of its CAD format.

Most likely later replaced by one of the common CAD standards like DXF or IDES.

How to open iso file?

As far as we know, only the original Cimagraphi software can handle this file type.

How to convert iso file?

Perhaps some sort of export was possible using the original software, but we could not verify this information.

Suggested software to open iso file:

Associated software actions with the iso file

Software applications that can open iso files:

Microsoft Windows

Software applications that can edit iso files:

Microsoft Windows

Software capable of saving iso files:

Microsoft Windows

Software apps that create iso files:

Microsoft Windows

ePSXe Sony Playstation game image

File type category:
Emulator file

Date updated: September 3, 2018

The iso file extension is also used in Sony Playstation gaming console emulator for Widows and Linux called ePSXe for its default disk image format.

These files are different than the standard CD/DVD ISO format just share the same file extension.

How to open iso file?

Use ePSXE or other emulation to launch games from this type of .iso files.

How to convert iso file?

This type of ISO images cannot be converted like regular ISOs. You have to use special emulation software for it.

Suggested software to open iso file:

Associated software actions with the iso file

Software applications that can open iso files:

Microsoft Windows

Multiplatform

Software apps that import iso files:

Articles about iso files

June 21, 2012

Run PSP games on PC

For those who never owned Sony PlayStation Portable console and yet want to experience all those gre...

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InstallShield uninstall data

File type category:
Settings, options, themes or skins file

Date updated: November 14, 2017

The iso file extension is related to the InstallShield, a software, which enables users to create MSI ane EXE Installers for Microsoft Windows system.

The iso file contains uninstall information generated by this program.

Suggested software to open iso file:

Associated software actions with the iso file

Software apps that manage or store settings in iso files:

Microsoft Windows

Software applications that handle other tasks involving iso files:

Microsoft Windows

Sega CD game disk image

File type category:
Game file

Date updated: November 6, 2017

The iso file extension is associated with some emulators of Sega CD, such as Gens.

Sega CD was CD-ROM accessory for Sega Genesis (also known as Mega Drive).

Image used by Gens. Disk image contains game for Sega CD (Sega Genesis).

How to open iso file?

Use Gens to work with *.iso files.

Suggested software to open iso file:

Associated software actions with the iso file

Software applications that handle other tasks involving iso files:

Microsoft Windows

Convert .iso files

Convert to .iso from other formats

Related file extensions