How to Create an ISO File in Linux

This wikiHow teaches you how to turn a group of files into an ISO file on a Linux computer. You'll use the Linux command line to do this.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

From Files

  1. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 1
    1
    Gather your ISO files in the home directory. Place any files that you want to turn into an ISO file in a folder inside of the home folder.
  2. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 2
    2
    Open Terminal. Open the Menu, then click Terminal to open it. The Terminal app is how you'll access the command line, which is similar to Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on Mac.
    • Linux distributions vary in appearance, so you may have to look for the Terminal app inside of a folder in the Menu section.
    • You might also find Terminal on the desktop, or in a toolbar on the top or bottom of the screen.
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  3. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 3
    3
    Enter the "change directory" command. Type in cd /home/username/, making sure to use your own username for the username section, and press ↵ Enter. This will change your current directory to the home folder.
    • For example, if your username is "potato", you would type in cd /home/potato/.
  4. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 4
    4
    Type in the ISO creation command. Type in mkisofs -o destination-filename.iso /home/username/folder-name, making sure to replace "destination-filename" with whatever you want to name the ISO file and "folder-name" with the name of the folder in which your ISO's files are stored.
    • For example: to create an ISO file named "blueberry" from files in a folder called "pie", you would type in mkisofs -o blueberry.iso /home/username/pie.
    • File names and folder names are case-sensitive, so make sure you capitalize anything that needs to be capitalized.
    • To create a multiple-word name, place underscores between words (e.g., "blueberry pie" becomes "blueberry_pie").
  5. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 5
    5
    Press ↵ Enter. Doing so will run the command, which creates an ISO file comprised of your selected directory's files. You'll find this ISO file in your home directory.
    • You may be prompted to enter your password before the ISO file is created. If so, type in your password and press ↵ Enter.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

From a CD

  1. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 6
    1
    Insert the CD-RW that you want to rip. You cannot rip an ISO file from CDs with read/write protection (e.g., audio CDs or movie DVDs).
  2. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 7
    2
    Open Terminal. Open the Menu, then click Terminal to open it. The Terminal app is how you'll access the command line, which is similar to Command Prompt on Windows or Terminal on Mac.
    • Linux distributions vary in appearance, so you may have to look for the Terminal app inside of a folder in the Menu section.
    • You might also find Terminal on the desktop, or in a toolbar on the top or bottom of the screen.
  3. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 8
    3
    Enter the "change directory" command. Type in cd /home/username/, making sure to use your own username for the username section, and press ↵ Enter. This will change your current directory to the home folder.
    • For example, if your username is "teresa", you would type in cd /home/teresa/.
  4. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 9
    4
    Enter the disk rip command. Type in dd if=/dev/cdrom of=/home/username/iso-name.iso, making sure to replace the "/dev/cdrom" section with with your CD's location and the "iso-name" section with your preferred ISO file name.
    • For example, you would type of=/home/username/pudding.iso to create an ISO file called "pudding" in the home directory.
    • If you have multiple CD drives attached to the computer, your CD drives will be labelled from 0 up (e.g., the first drive will be labelled something like "cd0", the second will be "cd1", and so on).
  5. Image titled Create an ISO File in Linux Step 10
    5
    Press ↵ Enter. As long as your CD's directory is correct, your computer will create an ISO file from the CD's contents and place it in the home directory.
    • You may be prompted to enter your password before the ISO file is created. If so, type in your password and press ↵ Enter.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Will the created ISO from Method 1, Step 4 be bootable?
    Living Concrete
    Living Concrete
    Top Answerer
    No, it will not be bootable.
  • Question
    Is it possible to use an audio CD to create an ISO image?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, this works with nearly every CD (some DRM-secured discs excluded).
  • Question
    How do I rearchive Linux systems into ISO files?
    Somone
    Somone
    Community Answer
    You will have to get a program to create disk images. Clonezilla is one of them.
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Warnings

  • Not all versions of Linux function identically to one another. If you're unable to find your CD's path or the ISO command isn't working, you can check your distribution's manual online.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 1,057,070 times.
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Co-authors: 22
Updated: December 26, 2022
Views: 1,057,070
Categories: Linux
Article SummaryX

1. Put the files in one directory.
2. Open a terminal window.
3. Use "cd" to get to your home directory.
4. Type "mkisofs -o destination-filename.iso /home/username/folder-name"
5. Press Enter.

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