How to create ISO image of hard drive in Windows 10 for free

Possible Ways to Make ISO Image of Hard Drive

Simply put, making an ISO image of a hard drive is to create a 1-to-1 backup copy that consists of a .iso file. Nowadays, as computing technology develops, users have many ways to image a hard drive and save it to different file formats except for the ISO format, including VHD, XML, and some particular file extensions created by third-party programs.

For example, EaseUS Todo Backup is free backup software that enables users to create a backup image of an entire disk or a single partition but save it as a pbd file format to strengthen the security of the backup.

But if you still want an exact copy of an ISO image, you have to master the DISM command method, which requires a high level of computer skills. We’ll cover both solutions in this post, so just carry on.

Method 1. Create A Bootable Backup of HDD Using EaseUS Disk Imaging Software

EaseUS free disk imaging software can help you back up your disk, operating system, files, and installed applications in Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7. In addition, it can help you create an image from your existing operating system, HDD or SSD.

EaseUS Todo Backup can meet your different needs, whether you want to back up, clone Windows 10 to SSD, or image your hard drive. Ensure that you download it to your computer so you can freely create an image backup file from your hard disk.

To make your whole backup bootable even when your computer is unable to boot properly due to a hard drive failure or a system crash, the software provides users with an option to create an emergency bootable disk, which can be saved to an external USB stick, a CD/DVD disc, or an ISO file.

Here is a step-by-step guide to creating an image of your hard drive via EaseUS Todo Backup.

Step 1. Create an EaseUS Emergency bootable disk by clicking Tools at the top right corner. Here, you can specify a boot disk location, including an ISO file, a USB device, or an optical disc.

EaseUS

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Step 2. Click Create Backup and press Disk among the 4 backup categories to choose your disk backup source.

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Step 3. Select a destination where you want to store the backup. You can store the backup to a local drive or NAS for a disk or partition image backup. You need to store your backups in different locations to keep your data safe and secure, according to the best backup practices. Then, click Backup Now to start your backup.

After selecting your disk, you can click Option to customize your backups. For example, you can compress your backups in the Backup Options tab and create full, incremental, and differential backups in the Upon Event section under the Backup Scheme tap.

EaseUS

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Method 2. Make an ISO Copy of a Hard Drive with DISM Command

Suitable for	Description	Effectiveness	Difficulty
Professionals only	Help you create an ISO image from HDD/SSD but requires high computer skills	Medium. You need to boot into the Windows PE environment.	Hard

You might have searched on Google, and many articles say Windows Media Creation Tool can help you create an ISO copy of a hard drive on your Windows 11/10 computers. However, the Windows Media Creation Tool is particularly designed for building Windows installation media or upgrading the Windows system. Therefore, another way to make a hard drive to an ISO image on your Windows 10 computers will be introduced here.

You can try the DISM command (Deployment Image Servicing and Management). On Windows 10, the DISM tool is designed for administrators to prepare, change, and repair system images, such as Windows Setup, Windows Recovery Environment, and Windows PE (WinPE). It can also help you to make an ISO image from your hard drives or optical discs.

Before creating an ISO file of a hard drive, you need to determine which partition/disk needs to be captured. Then, you need to assign a drive letter to that partition if it does not have one. Last, you need to boot your computer from an installation or recovery media. Here, you can learn how to make HDD/SSD to ISO images in Windows 10 with DISM.

At the command prompt windows in the Windows PE, type diskpart to open the DISM tool. Type the following commands one by one and hit Enter after each command.