Mount your CD/DVD image files as virtual CD/DVD disc
Phantom CD is a free program developed by Phantombility for Windows that allows you to mount CD/DVD image files as virtual drives. This means that you can access the contents of any CD or DVD without actually having to insert the physical disk into your computer. By using ISO image files, which can be created with various disk imaging tools, Phantom CD provides a safer and faster alternative to running applications from physical disks.
One of the main advantages of using Phantom CD is that it helps protect your original disks from scratches and damage. Instead of constantly using the physical disks, you can mount the image files as virtual drives and access them instantly. This not only ensures the longevity of your disks but also provides faster reading speeds, as hard drives are generally faster than disk units.
However, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. Phantom CD only supports ISO and BIN/CUE files, which may be restrictive for users who work with other formats such as CDD, NRG, MDF, or MDS. Additionally, we encountered issues with unmounting the virtual drives. The corresponding button did not work properly, which may be a drawback for some users. Furthermore, using ISO image files requires a significant amount of hard drive space to store all the image files.
Despite these limitations, Phantom CD offers a convenient solution for running applications without relying on physical disks. By using virtual drives, you can enhance the performance and longevity of your CDs and DVDs.