One of the main features of Windows 11/10 is the ability to mount ISO images without the help of third-party applications. We often use this feature because large software downloads like Office or Visual Studio are available for download in the .ISO format. In such cases, rather than burning to disk and running it, it becomes a lot easier to just mount it and run it just like a disk. But some users have reported that they cannot mount the ISO and when they try to do it, they receive an error message – Couldn’t Mount File, The disc image file is corrupted.
Couldn’t Mount File, The disc image file is corrupted
Here are some basic things you could try to resolve the issue:
- Download the ISO file again and see if you can mount it
- Unmount all existing virtual drives first and then try
- See if you can mount another ISO file
- Use a third-party program to mount ISO.
Last week, my client ran into this issue: He was unable to mount an ISO image on Windows 11/10. His case was a bit different. The mount option itself is missing!
My initial thought was that he may have messed up some of the system files, so I ran System File Checker. I rebooted the system and tried to mount the ISO image again, but I could not see the option.
Then I noticed that he had installed a 3rd-party application to Mount the ISO image – called Virtual Clone. But the version he had installed was unsupported for his version of OS. When I tried to upgrade it to the new version, it failed. I used a free uninstaller software to remove it completely and rebooted the system. Then I tried to mount again – but still no luck!
So I went to Control Panel > Default Programs to check if the file associations were set correctly.
I clicked on “Associate a file type or protocol with a program” and looked for ISO but I couldn’t find it.
Finally, I decided we may need to run a Reset or Refresh Windows. But before carrying out a repair I thought of trying something.
I went into the Windows Registry and checked the Shell entries for:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.iso\OpenWithProgids
It was still being associated with Virtual Clone instead of Windows.isoFile.
The 3rd-party software had failed to uninstall correctly, and even the Uninstaller was unable to uninstall it fully!
Read: Mount ISO option missing in Context Menu
I had Windows 10 installed on my laptop so I went and extracted all the Shell keys related to ISO from different locations and merged them into one. I then imported that key into his registry and rebooted the system.
It worked!
I am now, able to see the mount option and it works perfectly fine. I have attached the registry file here so in case if you run into a similar problem you can just import this registry key. You can download the file to fix this problem by clicking here. Please do backup your Registry and create a system restore point first before you use it, so that that you can go back if you feel the need to do so.
How do I mount an IMG file in Windows 11?
Windows 11 offers multiple ways to mount or unmount an ISO file. If you have the ISO file on your PC, you can select it and look for the Mount option in the Ribbon. On the other hand, you can right-click on the ISO file and select the Mount option. Apart from that, you can also select the Open with option where the Windows Explorer menu is placed. It is possible to mount the file using this option as well.
How do I uncorrupt an ISO?
It is pretty tricky to uncorrupt an ISO file on a Windows 11/10 PC. However, you can use recovery software to restore your non-corrupt ISO file. If the ISO file is corrupted, it is always recommended that you download a fresh version from the official website.
We hope something here helps you.
Related errors:
wow, you could have just right clicked on an iso image and choose explorer.exe as the default app. It would have put the bar back and fixed the problem…
I tried that as well. But registry fix was the only thing that helped me.
strange, I had the exact same issue with Alcohol 120% and my fix worked. Good info to have. thanks for sharing it!
HI
I think I have the same problem after installing daemon tools.
I cant find .iso folder in the registry… as you describe…
This new feature by windows 8 is the best according to me. But not many are aware of it.
I also tried using virtual clone, used advances uninstaller pro11 to remove it. Then simply right clicked on the file, selected open with explorer.exe
After that, the disk image tab showed at the top of the explorer window and can mount there or by right click.
I had an issue in Windows 8, where it said “Unable to install file” despite mounting the image. Your solution fixed it – no error any longer. :)
Duane’s solution worked for me.
I thought I this would be the answer to my problems, but I am still having issues!!! VCD has been running me mad for a week now. I have uninstalled and reinstalled it about 1000 times trying different setups. Now it is uninstalled and the Win8 mount does not work. I tried this fix with no luck. I really think I might have a problem with my drives. My CD drive does not appear under “my computer” either. any suggestions??
Try this for your DVD Drive not showing in Windows 8 http://forum.thewindowsclub.com/windows-8-management-support/33936-fix-dvd-drive-not-shown-windows-8-cp.html
Create a restore point before trying this!
Very thanks! Explorer was not listed in open with.. menu. If I selected explorer.exe is threw an error to me, and stopped working! This works!
There is an easier, faster way to do this without downloading a registry hack.
1.Right-click the .ISO file, choose Properties.
2.Click the Change button next to “Open With” in the General tab.
3.Choose Windows Explorer from the application list.
4.The Opens With option will change back to Windows Explorer.
5.Click Apply, then OK to close the properties window.
6.Right-click the ISO file. Mount will be one of the top options.
You can do this easily and quickly every time another app tries to associate itself with your ISO files without changing the registry with a hack.This is the default way built into Windows 8 to re-associate the your files with the correct programs. No need for any type of “fix” at all. Just needed a better understanding of your operating system.
Right-click and selecting Ooen with > Windows Explorer will mount the IMG or ISO file so that it can be viewed like any other Windows volume. My problem is that Windows 8’s context menu in the ribbon should produce a Manage tab, and within that an option to Burn. I do not get this new tab. Has anyone else faced this problem?
Thanks!
enable uac (user account control)
Thank you this was the only fix that worked for me. My problem was exactly as you described…unable to change iso file associate or right click file and change how program opened (no file explorer option) also tried opening by explorer.exe in windows directory with no luck. This fix worked. THANK YOU!
thanks alot homie respect
Sometimes the SFC, setting file associations, and registry file fix works, sometimes not.
Usual cause is alternative burning/mounting software, uninstalling which frequently leaves the registry with orphan entries.
I found an additional method, using regedit.exe manually. I recommend anyone wishing to follow my suggestion (1) export the current registry file and (2) create a system restore point before fooling live in the registry, as to do otherwise has at least once led me to complete partition reimage, which is a pain.
I did this: (1) searched for EVERY mention of “.iso” in the registry and deleted every single such key (that was related to .iso and not to something like system.isolation or the disk image manager); (2) rebooted; (3) ran the registry file, which in theory should have reset the defaults; (4) in the Classes Root hive, added a key “.iso” with a subkey “OpenWithProgids” and set the subkey default to explorer.exe.
Worked!
(This is for when the theoretically built in methods are broken: selecting disk image tools, context menu, etc)
it occurs throughout the registry; the key one seems to be in classes root, .iso key.
that only works when the registry has no conflicting key.
yep, your hardwork has helped me.. Thank you
Import the registry that you left off, restart, but it si still not working as I don`t know what to do
Right click on the ISO file, Properties, then next to “Opens with” click on “Change” and choose Windows Explorer. Now when you go back to the iso and right click the mount option should be there.
It still not working, please help me
Thank you very much .
Many many thanks :)
wow… had the same problem and your registry file saved my day!
Thanks a lot!
It sucks! Can open only ISOs, no IMG/CUE, no BIN/CUE, no MDF, nothing. ;)
Works on the windows server 2012R2.. THX
THANKS SO MUCH
Doesn’t work for me, it’s not this simple in all cases.
worked for me………..thanks a lot
One other thing to look at
Go into Device Manager and look for any drivers that have ! on them
In my case My DVD Rom and Microsoft Virtual DVD both had !
Uninstalled both, then rescanned and let Windows 10 reinstall them
Now they are both working fine – was able to mount the ISO successfully
FODASSE
Perfect! thats work for me… I just missing “mount” option with Windows Explorer after uninstall Daemons Tools and then I cannot fix it with traditional choosing “Default programs” option, but this reg file solve the problem without restarting… thanks very much…
Thanks a lot! This fixed missing “Windows Explorer” item for file associations, so I could not associate ISO or IMG with Windows 10 mounting tool.
same here, it displayed an error with direct association with explorer.exe