Mount Zip To Virtual Folders

Martin Brinkmann
Jul 31, 2008
Updated • Nov 17, 2017
Software, Windows software
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9

Zip files have to be extracted before the content can be accessed usually. This is especially true for installation packages that come as a zip file. Executing the setup from within the zip file could lead to problems if other files contained in the package are required for the setup to execute properly.

Pismo File Mount Audit Package can mount zip files but also iso, compact iso, compact file set and private folder files as virtual folders on the system. That's an excellent way to access and run the content of a zip file without having to unpack it first.

The software supports a wide range of Windows operating systems; basically, any 32-bit and 64-bit version of Windows starting with Windows XP is supported by the application.

Pismo File Mount Audit Package

The program integrates itself nicely in Windows Explorer's right-click menu. Its entry is displayed only when you right-click on supported file extensions such as zip or iso. Files can be mounted from all available locations including network devices and removable media, and they appear as a folder on the operating system afterwards.

This is one of the main differences between File Mount Audit Package and virtual CD or DVD tools which can also mount disk image formats, but only as virtual drives usually.

Admins and tech savvy users can run the program from the command line as well.

Closing Words

Pismo File Mount Audit Package is a powerful program for Windows that lets you mount zip archives and various disk image formats as virtual folders on Windows machines. It can be run from the command line, and supports local and network operations.

Update: The program is available for all recent versions of Windows. Developer packages are available for Linux and OSX and only provide command line access and not a graphical user interface.

The core features of the program in detail:

  • Read zip archives - You can mount zip archives as read only folders on the system to access contents or execute applications.
  • Read CD and DVD ISO images - Mount CD and DVD ISOs and access their contents directly.
  • Mount CFS files.
  • Create and store data in private folders - This creates an encrypted and compressed container that you can move files and folders in to.
  • Windows Explorer integration.
  • Support for all Windows file systems and several third party file systems.
  • Mounting of files on local, removable and network devices.
  • Command line interface that supports scripting.
Summary
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Software Name
Pismo File Mount Audit Package
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Administration
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Comments

  1. Mohammad said on January 10, 2010 at 4:02 pm
    Reply

    Mount Zip Library of ShetabTech also is library that can be used for programmers to mount zip file in their application process at runtime without installing any component or need any administrative privilage.
    see more:
    1) http://mountziplibrary.codeplex.com
    2) http://www.shetabtech.com/english/MountZipLibrary/default.aspx

    1. Dexter said on July 22, 2013 at 6:28 pm
      Reply

      But the mounted file is only visible in the current process!
      What about “mounting” a file in EXPLORER… and STILL without admin privileges or at least without the damn KERNER mode? I *KNOW* there was some API that allowed that… but I don’t remember what was it and does it even exist in newer Windows versions… since absolutely EVERY software uses a driver for those things…

      In other words: I want all programs, or at least Windows Explorer, to see a “virtual filesystem” in EITHER: 1) a drive letter OR 2) a folder; but files in that folder would actually be provided by my own software, which would read some container file in a custom format (like classic file system drivers or filters do, just NO KERNEL MODE as I want to use that technique even on public computers!!!) – it definitely HAS to be possible, or if it actually isn’t then Windows HAS changed and it sucks. So, does anybody know how is this done???

  2. flowergirl said on December 30, 2009 at 9:18 am
    Reply

    WinMount also can mount MOU RAR ZIP to a virtual disk or a local folder.
    see more ( http://www.winmount.com/feature.html )

  3. colorzone said on December 30, 2009 at 9:11 am
    Reply

    I recommend another great tool, It can do what pismo do, also it can do what pismo couldn’t do.

    Winmount(www.winmount.com) is a powerful windows utility which is dedicated to managing files and disks impressively and conveniently. WinMount supports compressing files to MOU RAR ZIP 7Z, decompressing and browsing MOU ZIP RAR CAB ARJ ISO GZ BZ2 TAR WIM files.

    WinMount can mount MOU RAR ZIP to a virtual disk or a local folder, which enabling you to use the files inside directly without extraction, saves your time and disk space dramatically.

    WinMount is also an image tool, supports mounting ISO ISZ BIN MDS/MDF NRG IMG CCD CUE to virtual DVD-ROM, supports mounting FLAC, APE, WV, WAVE to virtual CD-ROM, supports mounting VHD, VDI, VMDK, WMT, Microsoft WIM, and folder as a HDD virtual disk.

    In addition, WinMount can create a new blank RAM-disk, size from 64M to 4G, data will be lost when restart.

  4. Fluffy Llama said on August 1, 2008 at 3:17 pm
    Reply

    Have used MagicDisc for a long time, but with the extra features I will definitely give this a try.

  5. Joe said on August 1, 2008 at 9:42 am
    Reply

    darkkosmos@

    Explorer can extract files from ZIPs, and does some nice UI tricks and automation to streamline simple operations, but it is not the same thing.

    PFM exposes the contents of the ZIP file through the file system, not through explorer UI. You can open a cmd prompt and see the files, open documents in place with (no hidden temp files), programs can be executed and all needed DLL support files and such are loaded directly from the zip, etc..

  6. darkkosmos said on July 31, 2008 at 2:27 pm
    Reply

    Haven’t tried but if installing files is just opening a program you can, I don’t know if it will load additional files though.

  7. Martin said on July 31, 2008 at 12:40 pm
    Reply

    Dark Kosmos I have that option turned off in my Vista notebook. Can you install applications this way?

  8. darkkosmos said on July 31, 2008 at 12:18 pm
    Reply

    Martin you seem to be forgetting vista and open zip files on itself.
    http://screencast.com/t/yZAPdB6lya

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