Some ISO images are prone to errors due to their file composition. If you have any issues with them and need to resolve them quickly, you are in the right place as these are the correct ways to repair them.
Installing an ISO image is very easy to do, especially in the latest versions of Windows that incorporate built-in functions to make the process as fast and straightforward as possible. However, in the process of constantly using this type of file, you are sure to come across one that is damaged or has problems when running it.
ISOs are an exact copy of a file system, sort of like a digital photo of a physical disk, so they’re more complex than they seem. If just one thing inside them goes wrong, the entire ISO image will fall apart and give you errors you might not be familiar with.
In case you are going through this situation, it is good to know that there are ways to fix it. This does not mean that you will be able to recover any ISO image that has been damaged , since that depends on how bad the file is. However, there is a good chance that you can fix it if you follow the methods in this article.
How to fix a corrupted ISO in Windows 10 and Windows 11
Windows 10 and Windows 11 are versions that have advanced features, including the ability to mount an ISO image and also recover damaged ones. All of this is integrated into the operating system itself and greatly simplifies the process.
The first thing you need to do is identify whether the file is actually in a bad state . When trying to install it, an error message may appear , which can vary, such as “Damaged ISO file”, “Incorrect ISO structure” and others along those lines.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, then you may want to consider fixing the files using the repair feature . To do so, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt from the Start bar, just type “cmd” and run it as Administrator.
- Type the command “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will open the System File Checker (SFC) which will take care of fixing any errors in the files that are causing the problem.
- Wait for the command process to finish and then restart your computer.
Once you’ve done that, try mounting the ISO image that gave you the error message again and check that everything is okay. This is one of the most effective solutions without having to use any software.
Another way to recover that corrupted file is by using System Image Management and Boot Management , better known as DISM . The advantage of this encryption is that it does not require a connection to determine the status of an ISO.
The good thing about this option is that the process is similar to the previous one. After opening the Command Prompt , run the code “ DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth ”. By performing this process, a full scan of the ISOs will be performed and it will be fixed. When it finishes running, restart your PC and check the status of the file.
How to recover any ISO image with ISOBuster
Although there are many third-party applications that can help you solve this problem, one of the most recommended is ISOBuster. The reason why many people prefer it is because it is intuitive and you won’t need any advanced knowledge to recover an ISO file.
The good thing about this program is that it includes several useful actions regarding this format, from mounting an ISO image to modifying or repairing it.
To use it correctly, carefully follow the installation procedure and run ISOBuster on damaged files:
- Go to the official ISOBuster website and download the appropriate version for your PC.
- Run the isobuster_install.exe installer and follow the on-screen instructions for the program to proceed with the installation.
- Find the corrupted ISO file and right-click it. Select Open With… and press ISOBuster .
- Click on the ISO file that you have entered into the program and on the right side all the internal elements that are in it will appear.
- You can select all and right click to activate the Extract and Run function .
- Finally, press Save .
The idea is that you can access all the files in the ISO image individually and without having to run them automatically. Another way to fix this is by changing the name directly.
After this process, the ISO image may still not work, but the good thing is that you can still use its information. Therefore, you can extract the content and move it somewhere else to turn it back into an ISO.
This method is a bit more tedious, but it will surely come in handy when you are stuck and Command Prompt commands fail to fix errors. It is important to make sure that you download or manipulate ISO files from trusted sources, as this will help you avoid these headaches in the future.