Have you ever had to install a program but only had it as an ISO file and didn’t or couldn’t burn it to a CD/DVD? Here is how you can do it on Windows XP.

1. Download or locate the ISO file you want to install
2. Download Virtual CD Control Panel
3. Extract WinXP Virtual CD Control Panel to a folder and run the VCDControlTool.exe file
4. When the program opens, click Driver Control
5. Install the Virtual CD driver
   When you click Install Driver, you will be prompted to find the driver file. This file is called VCdRom.sys and is located in the folder where you extracted WinXP Virtual CD Control Panel in step 3.
6. Click Add Drive
7. Click Mount
   You should now see the new drive appear in the drive listing in the WinXP Virtual CD program, and Windows Explorer.
8. Select the ISO you want to install and click Open
   Select the ISO that you want to install. For this demo, I am using the ISO for Visio 2007 Pro that I downloaded from the free TechNet Subscription.
9. Choose any special mount options that you want and click Ok
10. Click Ok to close the Virtual CD program
11. Open Windows Explorer and browse to the newly created drive letter
12. Run the setup file to start the install

If you don’t run Windows XP Virtual CloneDrive from Slysoft is a good alternative.

If you have any question about this post feel free to send me an email or post a reply to this post.