Extracting an ISO of Windows 7

Hi there guys,

I have a question... when I download 7 I know it will be an ISO image, do I:-

1. Extract it with winrar and burn it with nero to a DVD, or

2. Download it, leave it be, and burn it straight to a disk using nero.

Thanks!

Benjamin.

 

I don't have nero but you wouldn't do either of the tasks you mentioned. Look for an option similar to 'Burn Image to Disk'. It will extract the ISO and make the DVD bootable (which neither of your options will do).

In case you cannot find the correct option to burn the ISO you could try a very simple free ISO burner here: http://download.cnet.com/Active-ISO-Burner/3000-2646_4-10602452.html

 

Nero will burn it without you having to extract with Winrar.

 

Just download imgburn, it's barely 2mb.

http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

 

There's no point or need in using WinRAR to extract an ISO. It actually is more likely to CAUSE problems since the whole point of the ISO format is to store an image of a disc; if you extract that image you lose information like boot sectors.

Smartest, best, easiest thing is to download the .iso and directly burn it using Nero, Roxio, or whatever.

 

Yes, BUT you have to select the ISO and burn it to the disk as an Image. If you simply burn the ISO file to the disk you will end up with the filename.iso file on the DVD. That is not what is desired.

From the nero 9 burning rom instruction manual:

Loading Image File:

You can use Nero Burning ROM to burn a disc from a disk image (iso) that you have previously saved on the hard drive.

To load a saved image file, proceed as follows:
1. Select a recorder from the drop-down menu.
2. Click the button in the main screen (yellow folder with green arrow). The Open window is opened.
3. Select the desired image file (iso) and click the Open button. The Burn Compilation window is opened.
4. Set the desired options.

You have successfully loaded the image file and can now burn it.

 

Good point. I'd assumed folks understood the concept of burning an ISO image.

 

Normally I assume that as well, but when the OP mentioned winrar I threw that assumption out the window.

 

Darn Winrar should exclude the .iso-extension from it's automatic 'associate with' list.

 

But you don't need to do the extraction. Just use a ISO image burner to burn the image to a DVD.

 

I know Coolguy, it's just that I think because so many people use Winrar, the automatic file association for .iso leads many folks to believe 'ooh winrar icon, it's sort of a rar file, let's extract it'.

 

That's what I thought after I had posted.

 

OK, I know that I am getting off topic but there is a need to just extract the files from an ISO. But it does make it difficult for a newbee to understand.

I like to store all my large programs in ISO format and archive them to an external HD. Not all ISO's need to be burned to disk as they can be extracted and run from the HD (i.e. MS Office, Adobe Creative Suites, etc).

A program in ISO format transfers extermely fast over a USB connection since it is handled as one large file compared to the smaller files if the ISO were extracted before hand.

Edit: P.S. my favorite extraction program has become 7-Zip.

 

I've never heard of that. What does happen is there is a performance advantage due to the file being stored in contagious blocks versus scattered blocks.

 

Why not simply mount the ISO when installing such programs?

 

I could be mistaken but I thought I read where the ISO was handled as one large file vs. smaller files. I will defer to your knowledge.

What I do know is that a 8GB ISO transferes over USB to an external HD on my notebook in just less than 5 minutes where the same ISO that has been previously extracted and the individual files transfered takes 20+ minutes.

 

Never thought of it. I don't have a need to install programs that often but will give it a try next time, thanks.

 

True, you do need to install extra programs and drivers to do this. Another idea is to convert it to a Virtual Harddisk. You can Create/Mount Virtual Harddisks under Computer Management.