Convert DMG, BIN, CUE, NRG, MDS, MDF, and CDR images to ISO in Windows: Complete and updated guide

Have you ever come across a disk image in DMG, BIN, CUE, NRG, MDS, MDF, or CDR format and don't know how to use it in Windows? If your answer is yes, don't worry, you're not alone. Convert images to ISO It's the best way to enjoy full compatibility with Windows and other operating systems, as the ISO format is the most universal and recognized. In this detailed article, you'll discover how to transform any Mac disc image, older software, Nero recordings, or CD/DVD emulators into ISO, taking advantage of all the benefits offered by modern tools, both free and commercial.

Whether you want to recover classic games, install an operating system from a macOS DMG image, virtualize a disk, create a backup, or simply mount an image received from another platform, here is a Complete, updated guide full of practical tipsWe'll explain what each disk image format is, why it's crucial to convert them to ISO for use in Windows, all the available tools (both free and paid), clear steps for each case, and plenty of tips for resolving common errors or special situations.

What are disk images and why are there so many formats?

A disk image It is a file that stores an exact replica of a CD, DVD, Blu-ray or even a hard drive. Thanks to these images you can make backups, run old games, restore software, or distribute content efficiently. Each format has its origins: some are proprietary and originated from specific programs (such as Nero's NRG or macOS's DMG), while others are created to facilitate compatibility or add extra features, such as compression or encryption.

The most common formats include:

• ISO: The universal standard, compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac, widely supported by programs and systems.
• Mg: Mac-specific, widely used for software distributions, installers, and system copies.
• BIN/CUE: Popular duo in copies of games, audio CDs and classic software, where the BIN stores the data and the CUE the structure.
• NRG: Created by Nero Burning ROM, used in disc burning and cloning.
• MDF/MDS: Alcohol 120%'s own format, with MDF for data and MDS for structure.
• I'M G: Low-level copy without metadata, often accompanied by CCD, SUB or other files.
• CDR: Common in Mac environments, similar to ISO but with some compatibility nuances.
• DAA, UIF, CDI and others: Less common, but may appear with certain older or specialized applications.

Why convert images from all these formats to ISO?

The ISO file is the king of compatibility. It mounts and burns directly in Windows from version 8 onward, is recognized by most burning and virtualization programs (such as Rufus, VirtualBox, VMware, etc.), and eliminates the need to install specific tools for each format. Furthermore, its openness and standardization facilitate file sharing and reduce the risk of corruption or data loss when transferring between systems.

• The ISO format is universal and reliable. Converting any image to ISO saves you a lot of headaches.
• In Windows, you can mount ISOs directly. Right-click and you're done.
• Facilitates the creation of bootable physical and USB disks.
• Reduces compatibility issues and makes backup management easier.

Related article:

How to fix Windows Photo Viewer error when opening images

Summary of the most common disk image formats

Free and advanced tools to convert images to ISO in Windows

There are open source and commercial applications covering all needs, from macOS DMG conversion to BIN/CUE, NRG, MDF/MDS, IMG, CDR, and more. Many operate via the command line (don't worry, the commands are easy), and there are graphical alternatives for those who prefer clicking through menus.

• dmg2img: The best option for converting DMG images (from Mac) to ISO on Windows and Linux. Free and lightweight.
• bchunk: Converts BIN/CUE files to ISO. Essential for older games and classic software CDs.
• nrg2iso: Ideal for transforming Nero (NRG) images into standard ISO.
• mdf2iso and IAT: Specialists in MDF/MDS (120% Alcohol), and with IAT you can convert multiple formats into one.
• ccd2iso: For IMG sets accompanied by CCD/SUB (CloneCD, etc.), allowing universal use.
• Power ISO: It supports a wide variety of formats, allowing conversion of DAA, UIF, BIN, DMG, NRG, MDF, among many others. The free version has a size limitation.
• WinCDEmu: Although it is known as an ISO mounter, it also allows you to convert and mount many secondary formats from the context menu in Windows.
• gBurner Virtual Drive: Allows mounting and converting up to 16 virtual images at the same time, with support for DMG, DAA, UIF, CDI, etc.
• AnyBurn: Simple and effective for fast conversions in various formats.

Furthermore, Windows 8, 10 and 11 you have native tool for mounting ISOs without installing anything extra: just right-click on the file and choose "Mount". For users Windows 7, XP or Vista, you will need to install a program like WinCDEmu, Virtual CloneDrive or Daemon Tools Lite to mount these images.

Step-by-step guide to converting each format to ISO in Windows

NOTE: In commands, after the program name there are arguments that are usually input and output files.

DMG to ISO using dmg2img

1. Download dmg2img in its Windows version (win32) and place it in the same folder as your DMG file.
2. Open a command prompt (CMD). You can easily do this by pressing "Shift + right-click" on the folder and selecting "Open command window here."
3. Run:
   dmg2img archivo.dmg archivo.iso
4. The process is almost immediate and you will have the ISO file ready to use in the same folder.

This method is fast, free and does not require advanced knowledge.

From BIN/CUE to ISO with bchunk

1. Download and install bchunk from its official website or trusted repository.
2. Make sure you have both files (.bin and .cue) together in the same folder.
3. In the console run:
   bchunk archivo.bin archivo.cue imagen.iso
4. You will get an ISO image compatible with everything.

Convert NRG (Nero) to ISO with nrg2iso

1. Download nrg2iso and place it next to the NRG file you want to convert.
2. Run in console:
   nrg2iso archivo.nrg nuevaimagen.iso
3. Done, the resulting ISO will be universally recognized.

Convert MDF/MDS to ISO with mdf2iso or IAT

1. Install mdf2iso or IAT (available in most repositories and specialized websites).
2. Put your MDF and, if you have, MDS files together.
3. In the console run:
   mdf2iso archivo.mdf nuevaimagen.iso
   O well:
   iat archivo.mdf nuevaimagen.iso
4. IAT supports cross conversions of DAA, BIN, CDI and more.

From IMG/CCD/SUB to ISO with ccd2iso

1. Install ccd2iso (available for Windows and Linux).
2. Put the complete set (IMG, CCD, SUB) in the same folder.
3. On console:
   ccd2iso archivo.img final.iso

DAA to ISO with PowerISO

1. Download and install Poweriso.
2. Open the program and select “Tools” > “Convert.”
3. Select your DAA file and set ISO as the destination.
4. Click “Convert” and wait a few minutes depending on the size.

Convert with all-in-one programs (gBurner, AnyBurn, PowerISO…)

• Install the desired software.
• Open the “Convert Image” option or similar.
• Select the original file and choose ISO as the final format.
• Defines the output route and starts the process.

These tools are perfect if you work with multiple formats regularly.

Handling and mounting ISO images and other formats on Windows, Mac, and Linux

How to mount ISO files in Windows 10, 11, and 8

• Right-click on the ISO file and select “Mount.”
• A new virtual drive will be created where you can access your files as if you were inserting a physical DVD.
• To unmount, right-click the drive and press “Eject.”

Mount ISOs and other formats in Windows 7, Vista and XP

• Install WinCDEmu, Virtual CloneDrive o Daemon Tools Lite.
• Right-click on your image and select “Mount” using the installed program.

Mount alternative images (BIN, CUE, NRG, DMG, IMG, DAA…)

• WinCDEmu allows you to mount BIN, CUE, NRG, MDS/MDF, IMG, among others.
• gBurner Virtual Drive supports DMG, DAA, UIF, CDI, and more.

Handling disk images on Mac

• Double-click the DMG, ISO, IMG, or CDR to automatically mount it in Finder.
• Use Disk Utility for more options, such as restoring or converting images.
• From Terminal, hdiutil attach archivo.dmg y hdiutil convert archivo.dmg -format UDTO -o archivo.iso.
• Rename .cdr to .iso if necessary for Windows to recognize it.

Handling disk images in Linux

• Mount ISO: sudo mount -t iso9660 -o loop archivo.iso /punto/de/montaje
• NRG: sudo mount -t iso9660 -o loop,offset=307200 imagen.nrg /directorio
• Most of the tools mentioned have Linux versions: bchunk, mdf2iso, nrg2iso, ccd2iso, dmg2img.
• Install with sudo apt-get install nombre_del_programa as you need.

Online Image Conversion to ISO: Fast Alternatives and Their Limits

If your file is not too large (usually less than 100 MB), you can use online conversion services , the YouConvertIt.com o CloudConvertSimply upload your DMG, BIN, NRG, or other file, select ISO as the output, and download the result.

• Drag your file to the website, choose ISO format, and wait for the conversion notification.
• Download the ISO ready to mount or burn.
• NOTE: For large or encrypted files, it is preferable to use a desktop tool for greater reliability and security.

Handling compressed and specific formats: the ISZ case

The format ISZ It's a compressed version of ISO, designed to save space, but less universal and dependent on programs like UltraISO, Alcohol 120%, or ISOBuster. To use an ISO as an ISO:

• Mount the ISZ file with UltraISO, ISOBuster or Daemon Tools Lite (some free versions allow this).
• You can also convert it to ISO with UltraISO, MagicISO and similar tools.
• If you prefer the terminal, there are tools like zisofs-tools on Linux they decompress ISZ to ISO.

Please note that ISZ is not widely used and may require prior conversion before editing or burning in many programs.

Related article:

How to convert audio to text in Word

Handling common errors and problems when converting and mounting disk images

Although most conversions work without fail, you may encounter:

• Corrupt or incomplete files: Redownload from the original source. If it's a DMG that fails on a Mac, try disabling extensions or downloading via Terminal (curl -O URL).
• Permissions issues: Run the command console or terminal as administrator.
• Error mounting ISO on WindowsIf the image won't mount, it may be due to the "sparse" flag on NTFS disks. Fix this with:
  fsutil sparse setflag "C:\Ruta\Archivo.iso" 0 in PowerShell (as admin).
• Remnants of other assembly programs: Removes old entries in the Windows registry (path HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ISO; default value: Windows.IsoFile).
• Lowercase extensionSome programs only recognize uppercase ".ISO." Rename the file if necessary.
• Images with multiple sessionsSome tools (such as AcetoneISO on Linux) can only convert the first session. Find the original ISO image or use another application if preserving all data is critical.
• Images with encryption, protection, or exotic formatsAlways use the latest version of the conversion program, or try several different converters. If a DAA, UIF, or CDI isn't recognized by PowerISO, try gBurner or a specialized utility.
• BIN/CUE, NRG or MDF/MDS without structure file: Some converters automatically generate the CUE or other accompanying files.

Related article:

Complete guide to deleting undeletable files and folders in Windows

Programs that go further: advanced image mounting, extraction, and conversion

Let's not forget about software that not only converts, but also allows you to do advanced operations, such as extracting content directly, playing video from an ISO, bypassing region protection, converting to over 300 digital formats, or managing entire collections of virtual images.

• DAEMON Tools Lite: Mount up to 4 images simultaneously, ideal for demanding users and free in the basic version.
• Poweriso: Converts, mounts, extracts, compresses, and encrypts images, making it a Swiss Army knife for advanced users.
• VideoByte Blu-ray Player/BD-DVD RipperIf you want to play video in ISO or extract it to MP4, MKV, etc., this is your option. Perfect for movie collectors.
• AcetoneISO (Linux): Manages ISO, BIN, MDF, and NRG images, maintains history, and downloads videos from YouTube or Metacafe. Linux only.

Most of these programs have free options and paid versions with additional features. Keep this in mind if you need to work with large volumes or special formats.

Quick guide to converting images on Mac and Linux

On macOS

• From Terminal:
  hdiutil convert /ruta/archivo.dmg -format UDTO -o /ruta/archivo.iso
• Use Disk Utility to easily convert and mount.
• If you get .cdr, just rename it to .iso to use on Windows.

On Linux

• Most converters (bchunk, mdf2iso, nrg2iso, ccd2iso, dmg2img) are available in the repositories. Install them with sudo apt-get install nombre_programa.
• Use the same commands as in Windows, adapting paths and file names.
• You can mount any image with sudo mount -t iso9660 -o loop archivo.iso /punto/de/montaje.
• For NRG add the offset parameter: sudo mount -t iso9660 -o loop,offset=307200 imagen.nrg /directorio.

Avoid future problems: Tips for safe and effective disk image handling

• Always download your images from reliable sources and check their integrity using hashes (MD5/SHA1).
• Keep conversion and assembly programs up to date. Recent versions recognize more formats and fix common bugs.
• Use specialized tools for each type of conversion if you encounter errors.
• Always unmount virtual images before deleting them to avoid access or permission issues.

With these steps, you can transform and mount any image in a matter of minutes, ensuring compatibility and protecting your data.

Related article:

How to fix the Windows error 'system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is not available' step by step