The capacity to virtually mount disc images is facilitated by applications designed for that purpose. These applications enable users to access the contents of an ISO file, which is an archive file of an optical disc, without needing to burn it to a physical disc. For instance, a user could install software contained within an ISO image by utilizing such an application to create a virtual drive and then running the installer from that drive.
Virtual mounting provides significant advantages. It eliminates the need for physical media, reducing clutter and the risk of damage to discs. It also offers faster access speeds compared to reading from a physical disc. Furthermore, it permits the simultaneous use of multiple disc images, which is particularly beneficial for software developers and system administrators. Historically, this capability emerged alongside the increasing prevalence of downloadable software and the desire to streamline software installation processes.
