Daemon Tools Lite for Windows

Daemon Tools Lite is a free tool that lets you create and burn simple disk images and add up to four virtual DVD drives to your system. These drives work just like a physical optical drive, only you don't have to keep shoving disks in and out of the tray. You can store your DVD and CD content on your hard disk and access the data quickly.

Daemon Tools Lite has significant advantages over many similar tools. For instance, it doesn't use a proprietary container format, which makes it widely compatible and gives you more options when burning or checking disks. Daemon Tools Lite mounts most disc image types, and creates ISO, MDS/MDF, and MDX images of CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs. It also compresses disc images and enables password protection.

Daemon Tools Lite's user interface is plain and simple but with an efficient layout that is crisply rendered. The larger of two windows displays your Image Catalog; below it, a narrow window displays your added drives, starting with the first virtual drive. 

Daemon Tools Lite offers two types of virtual drives: DT virtual devices, which provide basic emulation capabilities, and SCSI virtual devices, which are designed to handle discs with unique security signatures, such as copy protection. For most users, DT virtual devices are sufficient for everyday tasks, but the SCSI option gives added flexibility for more specific needs. The interface toolbar conveniently separates the upper and lower windows, containing all of Daemon Tools Lite’s essential controls. From here, users can mount and unmount images, add or remove both DT and SCSI virtual devices, and create new disc images. A Preferences tool allows further customization, enabling users to configure everything from hotkeys to confirmation prompts.

The software is intuitive and easy to use. Adding a new image is straightforward; simply click Add Image, browse to the ISO or other supported image file, and add it to the Image Catalog. After selecting the desired drive and image, mounting is as simple as clicking the Mount arrow, allowing users to access the new drive directly in Explorer. This simplicity makes Daemon Tools Lite a great choice, particularly for laptops without optical drives. By using virtual disc drives instead of physical media, users not only save time and power but also avoid the need to handle physical discs.

Beyond basic mounting and emulation, Daemon Tools Lite also includes Image Catalog Management, which organizes disc images in an accessible catalog for quick reference. This feature is especially helpful for users with extensive image libraries, ensuring they can quickly locate and mount the right image.

The Image Compression and Password Protection options provide added flexibility and security. Users can compress disc images to save storage space, a benefit for anyone with large media files. The ability to set passwords on images is an extra layer of protection for sensitive or private data, making Daemon Tools Lite an excellent choice for secure storage needs.

For those looking to go beyond basic functionality, Daemon Tools Lite’s paid version unlocks advanced features like Image Editing and Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) Management. The Image Editor enables users to create, edit, and convert disc images, while VHD management lets users create and mount virtual hard disks, including VHD, VMDK, and TrueCrypt files. This makes it a powerful tool for users who require extensive virtual drive customization.

Another advanced feature, RAM Disk Creation, allows users to set up a RAM disk, using part of their system’s memory for quick access and improved performance. Similarly, the Bootable USB Creation option enables users to create bootable USB drives from operating system files, making it easier to install or troubleshoot systems without needing physical discs.

With the Writable Virtual Device, users can emulate a writable drive, a helpful tool for testing disc images before committing them to physical media. The software also includes an iSCSI Initiator, which connects to remote iSCSI targets, enabling access to remote images and devices as if they were local.

For those looking for alternatives to Daemon Tools Lite, several other virtual drive and disc imaging tools offer similar functionalities. WinCDEmu is a free and open-source alternative that supports an unlimited number of virtual drives and has a straightforward interface, making it ideal for users seeking simplicity. 

PowerISO is another popular option, with advanced features like support for a wide range of file formats, compression, and bootable USB creation, though it requires a paid license for full access. Virtual CloneDrive, a lightweight and user-friendly tool, allows mounting of up to 15 virtual drives and is completely free, though it lacks some advanced image editing features. 

• Browse shared folders and mobile devices with Catch!
• Mount ISO.WV images
• Minor bugs fixed