Create img file from folder windows

You can convert files and folders to an ISO image using third-party ISO management utilities. These come in handy when you want to create a backup of files and folders in ISO format. You can also use it to add new files to an existing ISO image and repack it.

Windows, by default, does not offer an option to convert files and folders to an ISO image. But there are third-party Windows programs that can help you achieve this task. Here we show you the best apps to make an ISO file from files and folders.

1. AnyToISO

If you are looking for a free utility to create an ISO image not bigger than a regular CD, the AnyToISO Lite version is an excellent utility. It is easy to use and doesn’t come with tons of options.

It also supports the Windows Explorer shell extension. When enabled, it will add a create ISO option in the Windows Explorer context menu.

To convert a folder to an ISO image using AnyToISO:

1. Launch AnyToISO and open the
   Folder to ISO
   tab
   .
2. Next, click on
   Browse
   for Folder
   and select the folder you want to convert to an ISO image.
3. Next, click on
   Choose ISO
   and select the save location for the ISO file.
4. You can change the volume label name or leave it as default.
5. Click on
   Options
   to customize the
   File System
   and
   ISO Settings
   .
6. Next, click the
   Make ISO
   button to initiate the process. Depending on the size of the folder, the ISO writing process may take some time.
7. Once completed, you will have a new ISO file created out of the selected folder.

You can also right-click on any folder in File Explorer and select the Create ISO option to launch the app and convert the folder into an ISO image. However, if you are using Windows 11, you will first need to access the classic context menu to view the AnyToISO option.

If you want to create an ISO image with large folders (above 870 MB), you need to upgrade to the Pro version and shell $22.95 for the license.

Download: AnyToISO for Windows, Mac (Free Lite version, Premium $22.95)

2. AnyBurn

AnyBurn is a full-fledged CD-burning utility that is free to use for both home and commercial purposes. Apart from creating image files from files and folders, you can use it to create a bootable USB drive, perform disc surface tests, edit image files, and burn image files to disc.

Follow these steps to create an image file from files and folders using AnyBurn:

1. Launch AnyBurn and click on
   Create image file from files/folders
   .
2. In the new dialog, click the
   Add +
   button on the toolbar.

   

3. Navigate to the location, select the files or folder to convert, and click
   Add.
4. Next, click the
   Properties
   button. Here, you can change the label name, file system, choose compression level, add comments, and modify time and date. Click
   OK
   to save the changes.
5. Click
   Next
   .
6. Type a name for the new ISO image and select image file type.
7. Click on
   Create Now
   to begin the process.

   

8. AnyBurn will optimize the file layout and then promptly write the image file. The green progress bar indicates the process is completed successfully.

Download: AnyBurn (Free)

3. WinCDEmuI

WinCDEmu is a simple yet effective disc utility for Windows. You can use it to mount an optical disc image or create an ISO image from folders.

WinCDEmu is also available in a special portable version. However, with the portable version, you don’t get the right-click to create an ISO image option.

To convert a folder to an ISO image using WinCDEmu:

1. Download the app and complete the installation.
2. Once installed, open
   File Explorer
   and navigate to the folder you want to convert to an image.
3. Right-click on the folder and select
   Build an ISO Image
   . On Windows 11, you need to click on
   Show more options
   to view the classic context menu.
4. Type a name for your ISO image and click
   Save
   .

That’s it. WinCDEmu will start the image writing process. Depending on the folder size, this may take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Download: WinCDEmu (Free)

4. ImgBurn

ImgBurn is another popular Windows utility to create ISO images from files and folders. It is a feature-rich disc burner utility with options to write image files to disc, create image files from disc, and disc verification.

Unlike WinCDEmu and AnyBurn, ImgBurn supports creating ISO images from both files and folders. Here’s how you can use it to create an ISO image from files.

1. Download and install the app on your PC.
2. Next, launch
   ImgBurn
   . If you can’t find the desktop icon, or it doesn’t appear in Windows search, then navigate to the following location to launch the tool:

   C:Program Files (x86)ImgBurn

3. On the main screen, click on
   Create image file from files/folders
   .

   

4. Next, you can browse for the files and folder or drag and drop the content onto
   ImgBurn
   to add the files.
5. Next, click the
   Calculator
   icon on the right side to calculate the file size and view other information.
6. Next, open the
   Options
   tab to customize image options, add hidden system files and other attributes.

   

7. Next, open the
   Labels
   tab and provide a volume label for the file. If you skip this step, ImgBurn will automatically add a label during the image writing process.
8. Click the
   Folder to Disc
   icon, enter the ISO image’s name, and select the destination folder.
9. Click
   Save
   to begin the process. Follow any on-screen instructions, if necessary, to complete the process.

Download: ImgBurn (Free)

5. ISO Workshop

ISO Workshop is a premium ISO image management app. It features a modern look and offers multiple disc management options. You can use it to make ISO, burn ISO, convert ISO, and extract files from disc images.

Here’s how to use ISO Workshop to make an ISO image from files and folders.

1. Download and complete the installation. Once installed launch ISO Workshop.
2. In the main interface, click on
   Make ISO.

   

3. Next, type a name for the new ISO image and click
   OK
   .
4. Click the
   +
   icon and select the files and folders to add. You can also drag and drop all the files and folders onto the app to add them.
5. Click on
   Make
   , type a name for the file, and click
   Save
   .

   

6. ISO Workshop will start writing image files. Once complete, you can burn the ISO image to a disc or mount it on your PC.

ISO Workshop is a premium utility and comes with a 10-day free trial. After the trial ends, you will need to purchase one of the user licenses for continued use.

Download: ISO Workshop (Free trial, Premium $29.95)

If you frequently convert files and folders to an ISO Image, a tool like AnyToISO and WinCDemu are more beneficial due to the shell application support for the File Explorer context menu. If you need advanced ISO image options, opt for AnyBurn or ImgBurn. However, for occasional use, any of these utilities can help you convert your files and folders to an ISO image in no time.