Virtual CloneDrive

Pros

• Create and read disc images
• Mount and dismount images
• Emulate copy protections

Cons

• None

Virtual CloneDrive creates image files as well as mounts and dismounts them via virtual devices.

Virtual CloneDrive is a Windows program that reads CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays. It can create image files from those discs and read image files created by other programs. Virtual CloneDrive can also create one or more virtual devices, which the OS treats like a physical optical drive but is really just a pointer to an ISO on disk. These ISOs contain files and directories just like the actual disc it mirrors does.

Virtual CloneDrive doesn’t just read and copy image files. You can also create your own or edit a copy to create your own version, such as including updated resources. You can create, adjust and dispose of virtual devices as needed as well as mount and dismount images as needed. Once created, virtual devices can remain in place and even load alongside Windows.

The program is also able to emulate disc protections so that Windows can’t discern your image from the actual disc it was copied from. This is a powerful feature that lets you access copies of discs you own. If you own a software disc that’s no longer easily replaced, for instance, you don’t have to risk damaging it. Copy it, use that image instead and keep the original in a safe place. It can also emulate DVD, BD and so forth so that you play these discs back in a PC-based optical player.

Virtual CloneDrive has been fully updated for Windows 10 and all Windows versions as far back as Windows 2000. It supports up to 15 virtual devices at a time if your system supports it. The program does, however, require admin access to install so can’t be used if you have access to anything less.

Pros

• Create and read disc images
• Mount and dismount images
• Emulate copy protections

Cons

• None