Fix: Mount Option Is Missing For ISO Files In Windows 11

Have you downloaded Windows 11/10 or any other ISO image file from the Internet but are unable to mount it because the Mount option is missing when you right-click on it? This guide shows you how to restore the Mount option.

Windows 11 lets users mount the ISO image file so that they can access the files and folders inside the ISO file without extracting the ISO image file.

With default settings, when you right-click an ISO image file, the context menu (right-click menu) shows the Mount option, among other options. Very rarely, the Mount option may go missing when you right-click on the ISO file.

Why is the Mount option missing for ISO files in Windows 11 File Explorer?

Although there can be several reasons, the most common reason is that Windows File Explorer is not the default program to open the ISO image file. As you likely know, not all programs support the ISO file type. In fact, even Windows did not support ISO file type out of the box until Windows 10.

Only Windows File Explorer supports mounting ISO files. When File Explorer is not the default program for ISO file type, the file context menu does not show the Mount option. Simple as that!

Add missing Mount option to file context menu in Windows 11

Step 1: Open the File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the ISO image file is saved.

Step 2: Perform a right-click on the ISO file and then click Properties to open its properties dialog.

Step 3: Here, under the General tab, the Open with field shows the default program set for the ISO file type. You need to change it to File Explorer. So, click the Change button.

Step 4: Select Windows Explorer from the default app list and click the Set default button.

If the Windows Explorer entry is missing, click Choose an app on your PC link, and then browse to This PC > Windows 11 installation drive (most likely the “C” drive)> Windows and then select the Explorer or Explorer.exe file.

Click the Open button. Click the Set default button to set Windows File Explorer for ISO file type.

Step 5: Navigate to the folder containing the ISO file and then right-click on it. The Mount option should now be present. That’s it!