DAEMON Tools Lite

Free image file mounting app for Windows

DAEMON Tools is a computer program that allows users to mount disk images on Windows PCs. The lite version of the software is free for personal use, whereas you can purchase the professional version at an additional cost. Compared to similar tools like Alcohol 120% and PowerISO, the interface is very straightforward and easy to use. Still, these programs do offer more features such as editing images or encryption for added security.

Disk images are files that contain a complete copy of a disk within them. The most common type of disk image is the ISO file, which allows a user to make a backup of an optical disc such as a CD or DVD in case it becomes unreadable or undergoes some kind of damage that renders it unusable. However, using ISO files also requires software that can process the image and mount it so that it behaves just like an actual disk. This is where DAEMON Tools Lite comes in handy. 

DAEMON Tools Lite main features 

One of the features of DAEMON Tools Lite is the ability to mount various disk images, including ISO files. These images can, in turn, be used as if they were real disks. For instance, an ISO file may contain a music album that can then be listened to on a computer without requiring any additional software. Another important feature is the ability to mount CD images that can then be used in place of physical disks when installing operating systems.

With DAEMON Tools Lite, users can work with any disk image file with just a few mouse clicks. In addition, the program is straightforward and unintrusive, so even the most inexperienced computer user will have no problems using it.

While the lite version is a free application, it has certain limitations, such as mounting speed and disk usage. It can only work with one file at a time, and there are no advanced features available, such as editing images or detailed configuration options.

The software does not require installation and can be used right after it has been downloaded and unpacked. It works on Windows 7 up to Windows 11 and supports high-resolution images of up to 32-bit color depth and 65535 colors and the latest ISO 9660 standard for CD images. It’s also worth mentioning that you can add DAEMON Tools Lite to Windows right on the desktop.

DAEMON Tools Lite is an excellent tool for those users who work with disk images on a regular basis and want quick and easy access to them. Simply by mounting such an image as if it were a real disk, users can use it as if it was one.

This free software offers high compatibility, so even the most obscure ISO files will mount without any problems. The formats supported are: 

• MDX
• MDS
• MDF
• ISO
• IMG
• CCD
• ISZ
• CDI
• B5T
• B6T
• BWT
• NRG
• VHD
• TC
• ISCSI
• VMDK
• VDI
• ZIP

How is the interface?

DAEMON Tools Lite interface is very user-friendly and easy to use. There are two buttons on the main form called ‘Mount’ and ‘Unmount’. When a disk image is mounted, it appears in Windows Explorer as a new drive named with a yellow icon (similar to USB devices). Mounting images only require a few clicks; no other configuration is necessary.

The interface features a few other notable buttons that are used to add images, edit disk information, and erase images from the list of disks available in DAEMON Tools Lite. 

How does it compare to alternative programs?

There are two alternative programs worthy of your attention if you’re considering DAEMON Tools Lite, those are Alcholol 120% and PowerISO.

When comparing DAEMON Tools Lite with Alcohol 120%, both of these programs provide the same functionality: mounting and using disk images on a computer. However, Alcohol 120% offers more features, such as editing and encryption. It also supports archives and can work with keygens. 

If all you want is a simple tool that can mount disk images, then DAEMON Tools Lite is more suitable. It’s simpler and includes all the basic functionality. Alcohol 120% isn’t free, but you can take advantage of a 15-day free trial. The free trial unlocks all the features but does limit the number of virtual drives available for use.

DAEMON Tools Lite’s main limitation is that it can only work with one disk image at a time, whereas PowerISO supports multiple images. For example, you can open an ISO file and mount it as well as use another ISO file simultaneously if you want to.

Another difference is the support of archive file formats. PowerISO can open and extract archive files such as ZIP, 7Z, LHA/LZH, and RAR, whereas DAEMON Tools Lite doesn’t support this feature.

PowerISO also offers a wide variety of editing features that can be applied to disk images before they are mounted. For example, you can add/remove/extract files, change the bootable flag or edit the ISO file header.

DAEMON Tools Lite, on the other hand, doesn’t have these features and is more suitable for users who just need basic disk image mounting functionality.

The last difference is that DAEMON Tools Lite can burn ISO images to CD/DVD optical media but you need to pay extra to unlock this feature. The free version of PowerISO can burn disk images to CD/DVD-RW optical media.

What’s the bottom line?

DAEMON Tools Lite is a fast and easy-to-use tool that can be used to mount disk images as if they were real drives. The program interface is very basic and intuitive, so most users will find this is very easy to use. DAEMON Tools Lite is an excellent choice if you need a simple tool for mounting ISO files without any additional configuration options.  

However, it doesn’t offer too many advanced features, but the free version has enough options to satisfy most users’ needs. If, however, you require further functionality beyond basic usage, consider upgrading to the Pro version or using a similar paid program.