Disk Imaging Software Creating Browsable Image

Carob · 23 Feb 2018

Hello.

I'm looking for an imaging tool that will create an image that can be browsed within Windows on different computers without any additional software (an .iso would be tolerable) but I can't seem to find anything. In other words, let's say the image would be stored on a server and accessible from other machines. Does such a thing still exist?

Must be an image or clone and not just a straight data transfer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

fireberd · 24 Feb 2018

Not sure what you are talking about, creating a "data" CD or some file for a server?

Most CD burning programs and a CD-R, not a CD-RW, that will create a "data" disc will do the job.

The free CDBurnerXP will do the job.
CDBurnerXP: Free CD and DVD burning software

Lady Fitzgerald · 24 Feb 2018

@Carob If I'm understanding you correctly, what you would need would be a clone. An image would require the software that created the image to be able to browse it. An clone is an exact copy of the original drive and, in the case of System files (OS and programs), is bootable, unlike the results of copy and paste. Since a clone is an exact copy of the drive (or partition), you will be able to browse it.

For cloning, I recommend Macrium Reflect Free.

Carob · 24 Feb 2018

Macrium requires their software to open and browse the file. I am looking for an image or clone file that doesn't require any additional software as noted.

Lady Fitzgerald · 24 Feb 2018

Carob said:

Macrium requires their software to open and browse the file. I am looking for an image or clone file that doesn't require any additional software as noted.

Sigh! You aren't paying attention. Once a clone is made, you do NOT need to any additional software to browse it.

mjf · 24 Feb 2018

Carob said:

Hello.

I'm looking for an imaging tool that will create an image that can be browsed within Windows on different computers without any additional software

Yes you can do this but...
I'm not sure what "without any additional software" means. I'm also not sure of your intent.

Carob · 24 Feb 2018

Lady Fitzgerald said:

Sigh! You aren't paying attention. Once a clone is made, you do NOT need to any additional software to browse it.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I use Macrium from time to time and in order to view the image that gets created you must use the Macrium software to open it and view it. You DO need additional software. That software is Macrium.

Lady Fitzgerald · 24 Feb 2018

Carob said:

I know exactly what you're talking about. I use Macrium from time to time and in order to view the image that gets created you must use the Macrium software to open it and view it. You DO need additional software. That software is Macrium.

No, you still aren't paying attention. I am NOT talking about imaging. I'm talking about cloning, something Macrium Reflect is also able to do. A clone is a duplicate of the original drive or partition, so it is browsable.

Carob · 25 Feb 2018

Lady Fitzgerald said:

No, you still aren't paying attention. I am NOT talking about imaging. I'm talking about cloning, something Macrium Reflect is also able to do. A clone is a duplicate of the original drive or partition, so it is browsable.

I agree. But you still need Macrium installed to open the cloned file. The "Explore Image" option, which is what I believe you are referring to, only appears if Macrium is installed. I tried this the other day.

SIW2 · 25 Feb 2018

A clone is not an image file.

Cloning is just copying a partition/disk to another partition/disk. Lots of software can do disk/partition copying. Aomei partition assistant, for example.

If you want to create and view an image file, the closest to what you want is windows system image. The windows system image is saved as a .vhd. Double clicking it mounts it to a drive which you can browse with windows explorer - no 3rd party software required.