Complete Guide to Installing Software from ISO Files Without Burning CDs/DVDs or Creating Bootable USBs

Modern technology has made software installation more accessible and efficient than ever before. With the availability of ISO files, you no longer need to burn them to a physical disc or create a bootable CD/DVD. This comprehensive guide explores methods to install software from ISO files on your Windows system, using tools like Ventoy, and creating bootable USB drives with ease.

Understanding ISO Files

ISO files are disk images that contain the entire contents of a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray. They can be used to transfer, verify, and install software on your system. When you double-click an ISO file in Windows, it is typically mounted as a virtual drive, allowing you to access and use the files within it. However, it is not designed for the purpose of system installation or updates.

Using ISO-Multiboot Tools like Ventoy

If you wish to install software or create bootable media from ISO files without using physical media, you can use tools like Ventoy. Ventoy allows you to mount multiple ISO files onto a USB drive and boot from any of these ISOs. Here’s how you can create a bootable USB drive using Ventoy:

Download and install Ventoy from the official website.

Plug in a USB drive larger than 8GB into your Windows system.

Start Ventoy and follow the on-screen instructions to automatically install the Ventoy bootloader on your USB drive.

Place the ISO files you want to install on this USB drive. Ventoy will automatically detect these files and make them bootable.

Installing ISO Files Directly on Hard Disk

If you have the ISO file on your hard disk, you can install the software directly by following these steps:

Download the ISO file to your computer.

Ensure you have a reliable ISO mounter tool, such as Daemon Tools or PowerISO, installed on your system.

Mount the ISO file using the mounter tool and browse to the installation files within the virtual drive.

Follow the installation prompts to complete the setup on your computer.

Creating a Bootable USB Using Rufus

Rufus is another popular tool for creating bootable USB drives. Here’s how to use Rufus to create a bootable USB from an ISO file:

Download and install Rufus from the official website.

Plug in a USB drive into your Windows system.

Start Rufus and select the ISO file you wish to create a bootable USB from.

Choose the USB drive as the target device.

Click on the 'Start' button to begin the process. Rufus will format the USB drive and copy the bootable files from the ISO to it.

Once the process is complete, you can reboot your system and use the USB drive to install the software or operating system.

Alternative Installation Methods

While USB and network booting are available methods, they may not be as straightforward or reliable as creating a bootable USB stick. Network booting requires additional setup involving a boot server, which can be complex to configure and may not work as expected on all systems.

Using Network Boot

Network boot is a more advanced method that involves setting up a boot server. This method is typically used in server environments and may not be suitable for general-purpose desktop users. Here are a few steps to consider:

Set up a boot server using a tool like PXE (Preboot Execution Environment).

Configure network settings on your target machine to boot from the network.

Ensure the boot server has the correct ISO image available for installation.

Conclusion

With the rise of modern tools like Ventoy and Rufus, installing software from ISO files has become more accessible and efficient than ever before. Whether you choose to mount ISO files directly on your hard disk or create a bootable USB stick, you can save time and avoid the hassle of burning physical discs. For most users, creating a bootable USB using Rufus is the most straightforward and reliable method.

Keywords: ISO files, Bootable USB, Windows Installation