Users who lived through the early 2000s probably remember the times when films computer games, programs and music were delivered to our computers only using CD/DVD discs that were common at that time. No one knew about free downloading of data on the Internet, torrents and YouTube. The situation was saved by optical drives, with the help of which information was transferred to hard drive computer.
The rapid development of Internet technologies has called into question the need to have such a component as a “disk drive”. In today's desktop systems and laptops you rarely see a drive. All because of virtual disks, which replaced “blanks” and became commonplace. However, not everyone was able to make a comfortable transition to new technology. In this article we will try to correct this situation and explain in detail the essence of the creation process, the nuances of use and other questions that have repeatedly arisen for everyone who does not know how to use a virtual CD ROM.
When you might need it
Many may doubt the idea of using an innovation that has caught on with some people and simply continue to use the optical drive, using it to rewrite images and information onto physical media. However, the archaic version loses in some cases, the most common of which are:
- Missing or faulty disk drive. Any part does not have an eternal service life. Sooner or later, a problem may arise, and it’s good if it doesn’t happen at the most necessary moment (which, according to the “law of meanness,” happens often). In addition, the “system specialist” receiving the disk with information from you may simply not have an optical drive. But a virtual CD-ROM is available on any modern PC (if you devote some time to creating it).
- Multichannel. I have rarely come across computers that had multiple disk drives at once. Users who often work with recording and reading discs had to constantly rearrange CD/DVDs. There are no such problems with virtual disks, which means you can work with several at once.
- Convenient data transfer. To exchange information recorded on a disc, you need to personally hand over the media to the receiving party. In the case of virtually recorded images, the transfer is carried out online, over the Internet.
Creating a virtual CD-ROM
To read virtual images (iso files; mdf, bwi, mds and others), you need to create a virtual CD-ROM, which, like an optical drive, reproduces (emulates) data from the drive. You can create a virtual disk using special software, such as Daemon Tools, Virtual Drive. Their operating principle is identical, and the functionality is largely similar. For example, we took the last one listed, since its capabilities and tools are very easy to cope with even for a user who is far from such processes.
- First, download the Alcohol 120% program installer using a link from the Yandex disk, or on the developer’s official website. Install it on your computer.
- Let's launch the program. First of all, we need to create a virtual CD drive. To do this, in the “Settings” section, select the option "Virtual disk".
- In the menu that opens, manually select the number of virtual disks to be created. Confirm the result by clicking on the OK button.
The drive has been successfully created, which we can see in the “Device” panel or in the “My Computer” folder.
- Now let's open the finished image. To do this, select the "File" tab, and in the menu that opens, click on "Open..." (or simply use the combination Ctrl keys+O).
- We find the image file we need, select it with LMB and click on the “Open” button.
The image has been added to the library for processing.
- Now you need to read the previously added file. To do this, select the RMB image, and in the drop-down menu select the option "Mount to device".
The job is done. We can see the result in the “Computer” folder, where the installer located in the virtual drive will be listed among the reading devices.
After performing operations with the image, you need to remove it from the virtual drive. To do this, using the Alcohol 120% program, select our BD-ROM in the menu of available drives right click mouse and select a function from the list "Dismantle image". The disk will be empty again.
If you want to remove the virtual drive altogether, you need to repeat similar steps as when creating it:
- In the available devices, click on the DVD/CD drive RMB. In the list that appears, click “Properties”.
- Set the value back to “0” in the section for selecting the number of virtual disks and click “OK”.
Adding a virtual hard disk
The above opportunities have been available to many for a decade now. The popularity of using a virtual information reader has led to the emergence of a similar phenomenon called a virtual hard disk. This technology allows you to create a file (with a VHD extension) that is displayed in Explorer as a standard partition on your hard drive. Everyone decides for themselves the rationality of using a virtual drive: some reorganize it this way free space on volumes, others even install the OS. Don’t forget about the ability to create a secure file container, thus limiting information from attacks by other users.
We will create a virtual hard disk using standard Windows tools(this feature is available on Windows 7, 8.1, 10). However, with the help of special software you can achieve a similar result. Daemon Tools Ultra, as well as Disk2vhd, cope with this task most effectively. These programs have separate sections dedicated to creating virtual disks (both drives and drives like HDDs).
- Open the “Run” service by simultaneously pressing the Win + R keys. Enter the command diskmgmt.msc into the empty line and click OK.
- The service will open "Disk Management". In the control menu, activate the "Action" tab, and in it select "Create a virtual hard disk".
- In the window that appears, you need to specify the location of the file to be created, select the format (VHD/VHDX), and also determine the possibility of extending the file.
- The file has been created, but the disk has not yet been initialized. By right-clicking on the disk, select the option "Initialize disk".
- In the next window you need to specify the section style (we recommend GUID if you intend to limit standard features work with allocated space).
Connecting the drive after rebooting the PC
Unfortunately, working with virtual hard drive requires remounting the VHD/VHDX file after completing each session. Fortunately create new disk, we don’t have to initialize the partition and create a volume. To return the virtual disk to work (emulate data), you must perform the following steps:
We hope that with the help of our article you learned how to create a virtual disk, and also determined the benefits of using it.
We also watch the video
CD/DVD disks are among the most popular external storage media, but working with them in practice is not always convenient, and there are many reasons for this. These disks must be inserted into the drive and data exchange with them is noticeably slower than with a hard drive. As a result, launching a program from a CD will take significantly more time. CD/DVD discs become unreadable if they have bad sectors or many scratches, and this will sooner or later happen during active use. For mobile users, another difficulty arises - when going on a business trip, they have to take with them the entire set of disks that may be required for work, which is also unpleasant, since it increases the size of their luggage. You can avoid such problems by copying information from CDs to a hard drive, but this option It won't work for every program. For example, discs with games, licensed databases, educational programs, audio discs, etc. when copying them to a hard drive, they often refuse to work. In such cases, you will have to take a different route - create virtual CD/DVD drives on your computer and place images of frequently used disks in them. Technically, this involves performing two operations. First, you will need to create the necessary disk image files (that is, virtual CDs) - this can be done using programs for burning and copying CD-DVD discs (such as, for example, Nero Burning ROM) and save these images on your hard drive. And then you will have to use a special virtual drive emulator program, with which you will need to create the required number of virtual CD/DVD drives and connect a prepared disk image to each of them. As a result, you can work with virtual CDs in the same way as with real ones. Moreover, it will be much faster and more reliable. Why? It's very simple. On the one hand, access to information will accelerate, since hard drive it will be read much faster than from a CD, and to run virtual disk you don't have to insert a real disk into the physical drive. On the other hand, the likelihood of losing valuable data as a result of disk failure will be reduced, because the CD/DVD disks themselves are not inserted into the drive, and therefore their surface does not wear out. Moreover, it will be possible to work with several disks simultaneously.
DAEMON Tools 4.30.0305
Developer: DT Soft Ltd.Distribution size: DAEMON Tools Pro Advanced and DAEMON Tools Pro Standard - 11 MB; DAEMON Tools Lite- 7.4 MB
Spreading: shareware DAEMON Tools is one of the most attractive solutions for emulating virtual drives in terms of functionality. This package is presented in three editions: DAEMON Tools Pro Advanced, DAEMON Tools Pro Standard and DAEMON Tools Lite. The DAEMON Tools Lite edition has the most modest capabilities - it does not have a graphical interface (access is done through the system tray) and allows you to create up to four virtual drives and mount images on them. The other two versions already have a convenient graphical interface and provide the creation of from 16 to 32 virtual SCSI devices, and DAEMON Tools Pro Advanced can also emulate two virtual IDE devices, which is important for connecting some copy-protected CD/DVD drives. As for the images themselves, all three solutions provide for the creation of images from CDs, and not only from regular ones (supported Audio formats CD, Video CD, Mixed Mode CD, CD-Extra, Video CD, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio), but also from copy-protected ones, including SafeDisc, SecuROM, LaserLock, RMPS, Hide CD-R, CD/DVD- Cops, ProtectCD, StarForce and Tages. At the same time, almost any image file formats are supported (B5T, B6T, BWT, CCD, CDI, CUE, ISO, MDS, NRG, PDI, ISZ). If desired, the images can be easily protected with a password. Pro versions also provide image editing, which allows you to add files to the image, as well as replace and delete them. Working with images is implemented very conveniently - you can add them to the collection by specifying them manually or selecting them from the list of those found during an automatic search (images created in the program itself are added to the collection automatically), and in the collection itself you can place images in subdirectories (this is more convenient for further orientation). When creating images, compression is provided, which will be very useful if there are a large number of images on disk, however, only MDS images can be compressed - images in other formats will first have to be converted to the MDS format (possible only in DAEMON Tools Pro Advanced). Demo versions of the program (Russian localization available) are fully functional and operational for 20 days. The cost of commercial versions varies - for DAEMON Tools Pro Advanced it is 39.90 euros, for DAEMON Tools Pro Standard it is 16.90 euros, and for DAEMON Tools Lite it is 14.90 euros. At the same time DAEMON version Tools Lite is free for non-commercial use. Since the easiest to use utility is DAEMON Tools Lite, we will start with it. It does not have a graphical interface, so all operations in this utility are carried out through the system tray. Connecting virtual drives in DAEMON Tools Lite is as easy as pie. First you will need to install required quantity virtual devices - right-click on the program icon in the system tray, select the Virtual CD/DVD-ROM command and specify the required number of drives.
And then sequentially mount a virtual disk for each of the drives, simply specifying the corresponding image files for them on the hard drive (command Virtual CD/DVD-ROM > "Drive..." > "Mount image"). To remove an image from a virtual drive, you will need the "Unmount image" command.
The technology for working with DAEMON Tools Pro is somewhat more complicated. The window of this utility is implemented in the form of three panels - the information panel and two windows: the image window and the drive window. The images window is designed to perform various types of operations on images, and the drives window allows you to manage physical and virtual CD/DVD devices.
The first step in DAEMON Tools Pro is to create a collection of images. If the images were created earlier and you have not yet forgotten which specific folder on the disk they are located in, then you need to click on the “Add images” button and immediately place them in the collection. If you don't remember where they are, you'll have to use the automatic search(button "Search for images").
If there are no images on the disk yet, you need to create them. To do this, insert the treasured disk into the CD/DVD-ROM, click on the “Create an image” button, select the appropriate physical drive (of course, if there are several drives) and, if necessary, change the disk reading settings on the “Drive” tab. And then on the “Image Catalog” tab, enter the name of the image and indicate the output format, after which they click on the “Start” button and after a couple of minutes they get the desired image.
After the collection is filled with images in one way or another, install the required number of virtual drives by clicking the “Add SCSI Virtual Drive” button the appropriate number of times - the connected drives appear in the program’s virtual drives window. It should be noted that one virtual drive is created automatically during the installation process of the program.
Then a virtual image is installed on each of the virtual CD/DVD devices. To carry out such an installation, you should activate the first image and apply from context menu the "Mount image" command followed by specifying the desired virtual drive. After this, a similar operation will need to be carried out with all other images. If you need to remove an image from a virtual drive, use the "Unmount" command from the context menu.
Alcohol 120% 1.9.8.7612 and Alcohol 52% 1.9.8.7612
Developer: Alcohol SoftwareDistribution size: Alcohol 120% - 12.3 MB, Alcohol 52% - 11.5 MB
Spreading: shareware The Alcohol 120% and Alcohol 52% programs are one of the most popular solutions for creating virtual CD/DVD drives. Alcohol 120% includes all the functions of Alcohol 52% and additionally allows you to burn CDs and DVDs from image files or on the fly from source CDs. It is possible to record to several drives simultaneously. In terms of virtual drive emulation, the programs' capabilities are identical. With their help, it is easy to connect up to 31 virtual drives on your computer and mount virtual CDs on them in almost any image file format. Source images are added in the image search mode or automatically - the latter if they are created in the Alcohol environment. Supports multiple CD formats (CD-DA, CD+G, CD-ROM, CD-XA, Video CD, Photo CD, Mixed Mode, Multi-session CD, DVD-ROM, DVD-Video and DVD-Audio) and various protection systems, including SafeDisc 2/3/4, SecuROM NEW 4/5/7, LaserLock, Starforce 1/2/3/4, VOB ProtectCD V5. When emulating, you can ignore the media type, the physical signature of the disc being written to (RMPS), the presence of bad sectors, etc. The demo version of the program (there is a Russian localization) is operational for 15 days and has restrictions on the number of virtual devices created (there can only be six of them). The cost of the commercial version of Alcohol 120% is $50, Alcohol 52% is $27. In addition, there is also a completely free version of Alcohol 52% FE 1.9.5.4, which allows you to create up to six virtual devices. The Alcohol 120% and Alcohol 52% window is implemented in the form of one vertical and two horizontal panels. The vertical panel is located on the left side of the main program window and is an operations panel intended for quick launch main components of the program. The horizontal panels located on the right side of the main program window are working database browser windows that provide management of images, virtual drives and physical CD/DVD devices.
Emulation of virtual CD/DVD drives in Alcohol programs 120% and Alcohol 52% require three steps. At the first stage, a collection of images is formed. If images already exist, then you can connect them directly by simply right-clicking in a free area of the browser window, calling the "Add images" command from the context menu and specifying the desired images. Well, if you don’t remember where exactly the images are located on the disk, then you can use the image search (the “Search for images” operation in the “Basic operations” group), and only then connect the images.
If the image files do not exist on the disk, you will have to create them. It is not difficult to do this in Alcohol 120% (or in Alcohol 52%). To do this, you just need to activate the “Create Images” operation, select a physical drive (only if there are several drives), determine the data type and, if necessary, adjust the disk reading settings, and on the next screen enter the name of the image and click the “Start” button.
After forming a collection of images, virtual drives are connected - this is the responsibility of the “Virtual Disk” operation from the “Settings” group, after launching which you will need to determine the required number of virtual devices. You can also enable/disable the checkboxes “Remount images on system reboot” and “Mount image on Device 0 by double click". Enabling the first checkbox will ensure that virtual disks are saved in their virtual drives after rebooting or shutting down the computer. Enabling the second will allow you to mount the image file by double-clicking on it into the first free virtual drive. After this, you will also need to activate the "File Associations" subsection and check those extensions of image files that are supposed to be mounted in virtual devices. The result of these manipulations will be the appearance in the lower right subwindow of the program, in addition to the physical CD/DVD devices, of a list of virtual drives that have appeared. By the way, it’s worth noting that one virtual drive can be created during installation of the program, unless, of course, you uncheck the corresponding box during installation.
Well, now all that remains is to mount virtual CDs on virtual devices using the “Mount to device” command from the context menu. You can mount the image faster by simply double-clicking on it, however, this is only provided that the “Mount image on Device 0 by double-click” checkbox was not disabled when connecting virtual drives. To remove an image from a virtual drive, use the "Dismount image" command.
Virtual CD 9.3.0.1
Developer: H+H Software GmbHDistribution size: 56.4 MB
Spreading: shareware Virtual CD is one of the most multifunctional (but also the most difficult to learn) solutions for emulating virtual CD/DVD-ROM devices, managing virtual CDs and organizing network access to them. The program allows you to create up to 23 virtual drives and connect image files to them in a fairly wide range of formats. These images can be created directly in the Virtual CD environment, connected based on the results of an automatic search, or directly manually. Working with collections of virtual CDs is implemented in the program taking into account the fact that their number can be large - therefore, images can be divided into categories, sorted, grouped, searched in the library, etc. When creating images (CD-ROM, DVD, Video CD, Super Video CD, Photo CD, Audio CD, CD-Text, CD-Extra, Mixed Mode CDs formats are supported), their compression is possible, and very effective. In addition, images can be converted to VC4 format and, if necessary, protected with a password. It is also possible to edit images into which you can easily add new files or delete unnecessary ones - this function can be useful not only when using image files on virtual drives, but also in the process of testing them before burning them to a real CD. The latter is also implemented in Virtual CD; in addition, the program allows direct copying of data from disk to disk and deletion of data from rewritable CDs/DVDs. The demo version of the program (there is no Russian localization) is fully functional and operational for 30 days, the cost of the commercial version is $39.95. Virtual CD is a combination of two interface modules - Toolbox and CD Management (both modules are called from the system tray, and Toolbox can also be launched from the Start menu). The Toolbox module provides direct access to all the main functions of the program.
The CD Management module provides management of virtual CDs and images.
In Virtual CD, it is more difficult to understand the options responsible for creating a collection, since they are scattered across different modules, and the total number of different settings is large. If we're talking about about adding existing image files to the collection, this can be done both through the Toolbox module and through the CD Management module. In the first case, open the Main Tasks in Virtual CD tab and launch the Find Virtual CDs automatic image search function.
In the second, call the Add command from the context menu and specify specific images from the folder.
You can also add a new virtual drive in two ways - using the Add/Remove Virtual Drives command, activating it from the system tray, or in the CD Management module, calling the Drive Editor command from the context menu. In both cases, a device selection dialog box opens, where additional drives should be enabled. By the way, if no more than four drives are required, then these operations will not be necessary, since by default the program automatically adds four virtual drives to the system during installation.
Mounting virtual CDs is easier, since this is done by simply dragging the image onto the drive in the CD Management window or installing the virtual CD on the drive through the system tray. The Eject command is responsible for removing an image from a virtual drive.
It should be noted that many operations in Virtual CD require the sequential opening of many windows (and this slows down the process) - you can speed up the work by assigning hotkeys to a number of actions, as well as by actively using system tray commands, duplicating the basic operations of the Toolbox and CD Management modules.
Depending on the emulator program, you can install five or six or even 10–20 virtual drives on your computer, and all this will not cost the user a penny, whereas the number of physical drives is usually limited to one or two.
Most users use CD/DVD drive emulation programs for the following purposes:
Run CD/DVD images from a hard drive without having to burn it to a physical one optical disk.
- Increased data access speed (hard disk speed is much higher than optical disk).
- Backup several disk image files on new hard disk, which is much easier than burning several new CDs/DVDs.
- Prevent CD/DVD discs from scratches or wear due to frequent use.
- Saving a copy of the optical disc to your computer's hard drive in case of damage, loss or theft.
- Freeing up work space by getting rid of a large number of physical disks.
- Launching disk images from a laptop or netbook that does not have built-in CD/DVD drives or with the drive turned off (to save battery charge).
- Providing access to the disk for users on the network.
- Disk encryption for security.
Keeping most of the above mentioned purposes in mind, all the following CD/DVD emulators are reviewed and rated according to the following parameters:
Number of available virtual drives.
- Supports ISO and other image formats.
- Possibility of creating a disk image from a CD/DVD.
- Interface and additional functions.
Review
- this wonderful product allows you to mount an ISO file (or a disk image in another format) onto a virtual drive created using this program. Once the image is mounted, it will appear in Windows Explorer as a “real” CD/DVD or hard drive.
Gizmo Drive supports up to 26 virtual drives. In addition to ISO, it works with other images, including VHD, IMG, BIN, CUE, NRG, CCD, MDS, MDF and GDRIVE.
In addition to running disk images on virtual drives, Gizmo Drive will be useful when creating ISO images(both disks and individual folders), or to record content ISO file or folders on an optical disc. To perform various tasks, the program provides a special manager and image wizard.
Gizmo Drive's user interface is informative and useful. Additional features programs include creating GDRIVE images to simulate a hard disk with compression and encryption, creating a virtual hard disk with support system memory to improve performance in accessing time-sensitive data, etc.
Another emulator designed to create and manage virtual CD/DVD drives. It allows you to run many types of disk images without burning them to a CD or DVD. This program will also help you create disk images and save them in various formats (including ISO, BIN/CUE, NRG and UIF).
MagicDisc Virtual DVD/CD-ROM has a simple interface and supports up to 15 virtual drives simultaneously. Other features supported by this program include compression of various formats (ISO, NRG, CUE, MDS, CCD) into UIF, and recovery of UIF into ISO. The function of burning images to CD/DVD discs is not supported by this program.
Another easy-to-use emulator is called . With its help, a disk image can be mounted on a virtual drive in just two mouse clicks. Just like with the above programs, this is achieved using auxiliary commands that appear in the context menu Windows Explorer, and are used to mount and unmount images.
IN latest versions Virtual CloneDrive can be installed (as in MagicDisc Virtual DVD/CD-ROM) up to 15 virtual drives. To the original useful opportunities utilities can also include automatic mounting last image and special icons that indicate virtual drives (to distinguish them from physical ones).
Virtual CloneDrive's supported formats include ISO, CCD, IMG, UDF, BIN, etc., but NRG, MDF/MDS, and some others are not supported. This, as well as the lack of the ability to create and burn disk images, is a disadvantage of this program.
Other programs
In addition to the above-mentioned products, there is a whole range of free programs, performing similar functions. Below you can see a list of some of them:
Alcohol 52% Free Edition is a stripped-down version of the commercial product Alcohol 120%. Free version limited to 6 virtual drives, and installs a search bar in your browser (can be disabled). Additional features- CD/DVD manager and master of creating images in ISO, MDS, CCD and CUE formats.
DAEMON Tools Lite supports a total of 4 virtual drives. Supported formats include ISO, ISZ, CCD, CDI, CUE, MDS, NRG, BWT, PDI, etc. DAEMON Tools Lite also allows you to create images in ISO and MDS formats. This program, like the previous one, installs an additional search bar in your browser and changes the main search provider.
Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel - free utility from Microsoft, working in the operating room Windows system XP, and allows you to add virtual drives from A to Z, or remove them. Supported formats: ISO, UDF, CDFS, ROCK or JO. Cons: not very user-friendly interface and lack of ability to create images.
WinCDEmu is a program with open source, which allows you to mount CD/DVD images with a simple click on required file. To dismantle the image, you just need to double-click on it again, or remove the corresponding drive using the context menu. The utility supports ISO, CUE, NRG, MDS/MDF, CCD, IMG formats and works in operating systems from WinXP to Win7. Disadvantages - lack of an uninstaller, and the inability to create images.
Virtual disks are software emulated devices that can be used to open virtual disk images. This is sometimes the name given to files obtained after reading information from physical media. Below is a list of programs that allow you to emulate virtual drives and disks, as well as create and mount images.
Daemon Tools is one of the most common programs for working with disk images and virtual drives. The software allows you to create, convert and record files onto discs, emulate drives for reproducing information from optical media. In addition to CD and DVD devices, the program can also create virtual hard drives.
Daemon Tools includes the TrueCrypt utility, which allows you to create password-protected encrypted containers on your computer. This approach helps to maintain important information and protect it from intruders.
Alcohol 120%
Alcohol 120% is the main competitor of the previous review participant. The program, like Daemon Tools, can remove images from disks, mount them into emulated drives and write files to discs.
There are two main differences: the software allows you to create images from files and folders, but is not able to emulate a HDD.
Ashampoo Burning Studio
Ashampoo Burning Studio– a combine for working with CDs and their images. The program is focused on converting, copying and recording audio and video to discs, creating covers for discs.
One of key features is the ability to create archives with backup copies files and folders from which, if necessary, you can recover important information.
Nero
Nero is another one multifunctional program for processing multimedia files. Capable of burning ISO and other files to discs, converting multimedia to various formats, and creating covers.
A distinctive feature is the presence of a full-fledged video editor, with which you can perform editing: cutting, applying effects, adding sound, and also creating slide shows.
Ultra ISO
UltraISO is a program designed exclusively for working with disk images. Allows you to capture images from physical media, including hard drives, convert and compress finished files.
The main task of the program is to create images from files and save them to a computer or write them to blanks or flash drives. Among other things, the program has a function for creating a virtual drive for mounting images.
Power ISO
PowerISO is a program similar in functionality to UltraISO, but with some differences. This software can also create images from physical disks and files, edit ready-made ISOs, burn discs and emulate virtual drives.
The main difference is the grabbing function, which allows you to digitize music recorded on an audio CD with high quality and without loss.
ImgBurn
ImgBurn is software aimed at working with images: creation, including from files on the computer, checking for errors and recording. It does not have a clutter of unnecessary functions and solves only the problems mentioned above.
DVDFab Virtual Drive
DVDFab Virtual Drive – the ultimate simple program, created exclusively for creating a large number of virtual drives. It does not have a graphical interface, so all actions are performed using the context menu in the system tray.
Programs presented in this review, can be divided into two parts: the first is software for working with images, the second is virtual drive emulators. As you may have noticed, most developers strive to combine both of these functions in their products. Despite this, there are bright representatives in each category, for example, UtraISO is indispensable for creating and editing images, and Daemon Tools is great for emulating virtual media - CD/DVD and hard drives.
For one reason or another they cannot be used. Imagine the situation: you downloaded an image of a game from the Internet, but you don’t have discs at hand to record it! This has probably happened to many people.
Of course, you can install this image on a flash drive, but not everyone knows how to do this. What to do in this case? A virtual drive will come to your aid, from which you will install the program or game you need. Creating it is not difficult at all, and it does not require any specific computer knowledge or skills.
There is one small bug in some versions of the program. The fact is that if you select an odd number of disks, the program, for some reason, cannot create them. For example, it can easily create 4 disks, but when creating a seventh virtual drive, it may stumble.
By the way, what else might the average user need them for? Let's start with the fact that using a virtual disk you can avoid damage to your physical media. Speaking in simple language, it is better to create an image of your licensed copy of the game and run it from a virtual disk. Thus, the real media will be less susceptible to abrasion and scratches.
In addition, a virtual drive for Windows 7 in some cases can be used to create an avi video file from a virtual one. In this case, the process will go much faster, because the speed of the virtual disk is many times higher than the speed of the physical disk!
