I tend to run Win7 Ultimate (32-bit) when dealing with ISO stuff.
I prefer to be a cheap bastard and use freeware whenever possible, at least to evaluate or try out for comparison. But I will pay for software if it's really worth it, you usually get what you pay for (though I refuse to buy into cloudsoft subscriptions, ever).
For CD/DVD burning, I use the integrated Windows Disc Image Burner or Nero Essentials 7 (yeah, I know, not as good as Nero Burning ROM, but it's what I got and it works well enough for my needs).
I use WinRAR to view/extract ISO files, again works perfectly for me, if perhaps a little slow on ridiculously huge ISO files.
What I serious lack is any way to create UDF/ISOs. Preferably a stupidly easy way, like an Explorer-integrated "Make ISO from selected files/folders" right-click context or something.
Thus far, I have found the following software:
- ISO Recorder V3 (Power Toy for Vista) (freeware, clunky, maybe buggy)
- MiniDVDSoft Free ISO Creator (limited freeware, unlimited commercial, buggy)
- SourceForge IsoCreator (freeware, awfully buggy)
- ISO Creator and Create ISO Image (commercial, very expensive)
- LC ISO Creator 1.1 (freeware, clunky)
- Folder2Iso 1.5 (freeware, clunky, beware possible malware on site)
- UltraISO (commercial)
- MagicISO (commercial)
I've also found these:I'm *absolutely not* interested in DAEMON Tools nor any other product which attempts to install adware, malware, or other **** payloads. Again, I don't mind paying for a quality product (I'd prefer not to buy software which simply duplicates what I can already do), but I will not tolerate software extortion, inability to clean uninstall, or troublesome tradeoffs which somehow reduce my existing capabilities.
- SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive (freeware, I've used it before in 9x/XP and was impressed)
- Virtual CD v10 (freeware)
- Alcohol 52% and 120% (freeware and commercial)
What I haven't found are any reliable reviews, especially running Win7 (not quite the same beast as Vista, thankfully). Can anyone offer comments or recommendations about any of these or similar software?