MagicDisc Virtual DVD/CD
Rating: 5
Version tested: 2.5.047
MagicDisc is a program that can create disc image files from CDs and DVDs as well as mount disc image files of various types through a virtual CD/DVD drive.
Here’s what you need to know about this program:
- Will work with both CDs and DVDs
- Allows you to open and use disk image files without the need to burn them into CDs; will create a virtual drive that will behave exactly as a normal CD/DVD would.
- Offers 200x speed (much faster than a normal cd drive) and noiseless emulation.
- It can create image files from CDs/DVDs; can also create bootable image files.
- Supports reading and writing ALL disk image formats (16 in all), including .ISO, .UIF, .IMG, .BIN,.CUE, .NRG, and .CIF.
- It resides in the system tray and has a simple, clean interface.
- Will allow you to compress (and decompress) a disk image for the most efficient use of hard drive space.
If you regularly run CD or DVD based programs then this program will prove very useful; all you have to do is use MagicDisc to create an image of your CD/DVD on your hard drive (assuming you have the space), and mount that image; you will no longer need your actual physical media.
Note that if you are trying to create/mount disc images for copy protected CDs/DVDs this program will most likely not be able to help you; for that you can use the (adware) Daemon Tools.
I like this program because like simple software and I like it even better when it is efficient and free. You will like it too.
Compatibility: WinAll; including 64bit Windows and Vista. Make sure to download the right version for your system.
Go to the program page to download the latest version.
Daeamontools has OPTIONAL addware which you can uncheck during installation. Its a shame they went this way, as before that, they were really class. I still use DT, as nearly all CD’s/DVD’s are copy protected, especially games
i am having issues with this the virtual drive is created but it is an unknown device in device manager and will not appear as a drive in my computer any help getting the vr drive up and running would be AWESOME
[...] into Windows explorer and that it supports such a wide range of image formats. I reviewed MagicDisc previously which has the added option of creating image files from CDs/DVD, but if you do not want [...]
[...] into Windows explorer and that it supports such a wide range of image formats. I reviewed MagicDisc previously which has the added option of creating image files from CDs/DVD, but if you do not want [...]
The most useful purpose of this utility, for me, is the decompressing of ISO files, and the mounting of virtual discs capability.
I use the commercial PowerISO, which has no problems, now, even with the native MagicDisc formatting…
…that is, unless it’s also compressed by MagicDisc.
In other words, as long as MagicDisc is used to create a vanilla ISO file, then PowerISO (and other ISO readers, expanders) can see/read/use it just fine. But if the MagicDisc-created ISO was also compressed by MagicDisc, then PowerISO (and no other ISO reader) can read/use it.
Enter this little MagicDisc virtual DVD/CD product. It will uncompress a MagicDisc-compressed ISO so that the likes of PowerISO can use it.
One might ask why I just don’t use Magic products for everything; and the answer is that PowerISO is really superior. It really is. Unfortunately (for me), a lot of people like Magic products instead of PowerISO… and that’s fine… except when they take that extra step after creating their ISOs of also compressing them. Then they venture into the world of non-standard formats which such as PowerISO cannot read.
So, anyone using a non-Magic product for all their ISO stuff still needs this free little utility on their machine so that if they stumble onto an ISO that has been compressed by a Magic user, one can use this free little utility to first uncompress it so that PowerISO and other products can see/read/use it.
Plus, as long as this little utility is sitting in the system tray, it pays to just use it for all virtually-mounted discs rather than the virtual disc mounter that’s, for example, built-in to PowerISO. I mean, as long as it’s sitting there in the system tray, might as well let it do something other than just be a standby for whenever/if-ever one might need to uncompress an ISO, right?
So that’s how I use it… and for nothing else. It’s a terrific little utility to have, therefore, no matter what ISO maker software one normally uses. This little utility is indispensible in that way.