change install exe file into iso file

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I have downloaded an app as an exe file and did the installation. I would like to convert the exe file into an iso file so I can burn it into a CD as an installation disc. Can this be done? Thanks for any suggestions.

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If it is a single, stand-alone file, just burn it to a disk as it is. It will work fine: When you wish to install the program, load the disk and then run the .exe file you saved to it.

My Rig: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core CPU; ASUS Cross Hair VIII Formula Mobo; Win 11 Pro (64 bit)-(UEFI-booted); 32GB RAM; 2TB Corsair Force Series MP600 Pro 2TB PCIe Gen 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD. 1TB SAMSUNG 960 EVO M.2 NVME SSD; MSI GeForce RTX 3090 VENTUS 3X 24G OC; Microsoft 365 Home; Condusiv SSDKeeper Professional; Acronis Cyberprotect, VMWare Workstation Pro V17.5. HP 1TB USB SSD External Backup Drive). Dell G-Sync G3223Q 144Hz Monitor.

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How to Convert an EXE File to an ISO File

Contributor
By Joshua Bailey, eHow Contributing Writer

ISO files are perfect for converting a file into a burnable format for a disc, and the ISO can be created from just about any file you have on your computer, including EXE files. ImgBurn is one program that does an exceptional job at this process and best of all, the software is completely free.
Instructions:
Step 1
Download and install ImgBurn. It is free software that updates itself, so you will always be running the most recent version. ImgBurn is used by many computer users to replace their expensive, but useful counterparts, and many believe that ImgBurn does just as good of a job.
Step 2
Click “Create image file from file/folders” and you will be brought to the ImgBurn application. Open a new window in your computer and locate the EXE file you want to convert to an ISO file. Drag the EXE file into the ImgBurn window and it will automatically load into the program.
Step 3
Click the “Destination” icon folder and select a place for the new ISO file to be saved. Click the large green arrow at the bottom of the program to start the conversion process. The length of the conversion process depends on the size of the EXE file; it could take just a few minutes to convert a small EXE file into an ISO file.

Hope this helps
C

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The ISO file is NOT on the CD/DVD, they are just used to MAKE an CD/DVD from a LARGE set of files.

Have a look at your Windows install disk, you will NOT find any ISO file. The ISO file is “Expanded” at the time of burning, and makes all of the different folders that are on the CD/DVD.

So what is going to be gained by making this ISO file?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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So what is going to be gained by making this ISO file?

Dave,

ISO is a standard. If you just burn files they may not be readable on all machines. A CD burned with an ISO image should be readable on any computer, even a MAC or Linux even if you can’t install the software there you can read it.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Dave,

ISO is a standard. If you just burn files they may not be readable on all machines. A CD burned with an ISO image should be readable on any computer, even a MAC or Linux even if you can’t install the software there you can read it.

So what good does that do, if one can not use the install file, why not just copy the Exe file(s) to the CD/DVD and not waste the time to converting.

That said, if these files are to be stored on a NONE Windows server, then it MAY be of use.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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So what good does that do, if one can not use the install file, why not just copy the Exe file(s) to the CD/DVD and not waste the time to converting.

Dave,

The reason for using the standard is that not every Windows computer uses the same burning software. Some of these programs will burn a CD & read it just fine but move it to another Windows machine with different software and OOPS! can’t read it. With ISO images you’re odds are greatly improved when moving from machine to machine. At least that is my understanding from what I have read. My experience has also been in consistent with this information.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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The reason for using the standard is that not every Windows computer uses the same burning software. Some of these programs will burn a CD & read it just fine but move it to another Windows machine with different software and OOPS! can’t read it. With ISO images you’re odds are greatly improved when moving from machine to machine. At least that is my understanding from what I have read. My experience has also been in consistent with this information.

As with many standards, compatability is in the method in which the standard is implemented in a particular OS. If you read ISO image – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, you’ll see that .ISO is just an archive format that normally contains one of two different file systems. ISO 9660 – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia is one along with its revisions and extensions. Universal Disk Format – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia is the other along with its revisions. If you have disk writing software that uses ISO 9660 or UDF you can just write directly to a CD/DVD/BD and achieve the same result as creating a .ISO file and burning it.

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks to all of you. Each one gave me something to think about. I had never done something like this before including not downloading an app exe file. I had always bought a CD/DVD, but got such a bargain with the download that I went ahead. I have always used a disc to install an app as I have needed to reinstall apps off and on over the years (I am 87) and thought it would be better to have the app on a disc. This is why I wanted to convert the exe file to an ISO format which I assumed I could burn to a disc. I will try your suggestions and appreciate very much your replies.

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Thanks again to all contributers. I burned the original exe installation file to a DVD and then tried using ImgBurn to make an ISO file which I burned to a DVD. The results of the two burns were the same. I got the same exe file on each DVD which I could dbl click and start extracting the installation files. So, I do have a backup for my installation file on DVD. However, I did learn about using ImgBurn which I will use in the future. I appreciate the lessons learned and the helpfulness of Windows Secrets Lounge members.

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Thanks DaveA. Hence the response in my first post to this thread.

In fact, I have experienced one or two cases of ISO – CDs not being readable by some drives, but when the drive was replaced, “voila” all was well again. I gather from an IT engineer friend that some “inferior?” CD/DVD drive brands don’t write as accurately as the standard requires, resulting in data that can be read by the drive that did the burning in the first place, but not by some other drives.

And Cecil: It’s really great to see you are NOT one of those senior citizens who is scared of computers! A shining example to all, indeed.

My Rig: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core CPU; ASUS Cross Hair VIII Formula Mobo; Win 11 Pro (64 bit)-(UEFI-booted); 32GB RAM; 2TB Corsair Force Series MP600 Pro 2TB PCIe Gen 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD. 1TB SAMSUNG 960 EVO M.2 NVME SSD; MSI GeForce RTX 3090 VENTUS 3X 24G OC; Microsoft 365 Home; Condusiv SSDKeeper Professional; Acronis Cyberprotect, VMWare Workstation Pro V17.5. HP 1TB USB SSD External Backup Drive). Dell G-Sync G3223Q 144Hz Monitor.

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Joe,

Thanks for the enlightenment. Live and learn.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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