Virtual CD
Virtual CD is Windows software that creates optical-media images so discs can be accessed without physical media.
What Virtual CD is
Virtual CD is Windows software that creates optical-media images so discs can be accessed without physical media. It virtualizes and virtually burns CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and HD DVD formats, with up to 23 virtual drives. Images may be stored centrally or on a computer and accessed across a network. The Fileserver edition can provide up to 5865 CDs or DVDs without client installation, while Terminalserver offers up to 23 drives per session. A virtual burner works with Windows applications like a physical optical burner. Images can be password protected and encrypted; the maker identifies AES 256 for encrypted data. Supported image types include Virtual CD images, ISO, NRG, C2D, XMF, IMG, BIN, MDF, BWI, B5I, and B6I. The software also includes an API, external-program launch options, and audio conversion to MP3 or OGG Vorbis. It supports Windows 11 through XP in 32-bit and 64-bit editions. A 30-day trial is available; the full version costs 34.95 USD one time.
Good
- Supports CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and HD DVD
- Up to 23 virtual drives
- Wide image-format support
- Network access to stored images
- AES 256 encryption listed
Watch out
- Windows only
- No free plan
- Fileserver excludes CSS-encrypted DVD video
- Telephone support unavailable
Who it suits
Virtual CD suits private users and organisations managing optical-image collections, including network deployments. It is intended for Windows systems that need virtual drives, image writing, encryption, or shared disc access.
Verdict
Virtual CD combines image mounting, virtual burning, network sharing, security controls, and broad Windows compatibility. The 30-day trial precedes a 34.95 USD one-time full-version purchase.
Plans and prices
From Virtual CD's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Update | $16.95, paid once | Update license |
| Full version | $34.95, paid once | Virtual CD 10 |
| 5-user license (private use) | $69.95, paid once | 5 users · exclusively for private use |
| 5-user license | $119.90, paid once | 5 users |
The facts
Each one read from Virtual CD's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API
- The product includes an API for external programs to control and operate Virtual CD.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Audio conversion
- Virtual CD 10 can convert audio files into MP3 and OGG Vorbis formats with selectable quality.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- External programs can be added to Quick Launch and CD Management, with command-line arguments passed when they are run.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes network solutions for companies with 5 to 5000 workstations and says its customers range from private users to multinational groups.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Media formats
- The product supports virtualization and virtual burning for CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and HD DVD media.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Media limitation
- The download page says the Fileserver edition does not support CSS-encrypted DVD videos or multimedia and audio CDs.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Network editions
- The Fileserver edition can provide up to 5865 CDs/DVDs over a network without client installation, while Terminalserver provides up to 23 virtual drives per session.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Network use
- Virtual CD images can be stored centrally or on a computer and accessed from other computers on the network.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Virtual CD creates images of optical media so users can access them without the physical disc.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- Virtual CDs can be password protected and encrypted; the maker’s help page says encrypted data uses AES 256 encryption.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs technical questions to its documentation, knowledge base, and support forum, and says it cannot provide telephone support.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Virtual burning
- The included virtual burner can be used with Windows applications like a physical CD/DVD/Blu-ray burner.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Virtual drives
- Virtual CD provides up to 23 virtual drives.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1989checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Göttingen, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Trial limitation
- The trial lasts 30 days and does not allow entering a license key; the full version requires a valid license key to download.checked 8 Oct 2026
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