Why I Ditched Daemon Tools/Alcohol 120%


Recommended Posts

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

IMO Virtual CloneDrive is the best and the lightest.

Being "best" is an opinion. Being "lightest" is not. Virtual CloneDrive is very nice, I used it up until WinCDEmu was signed (as per Sirtuin's post a little while ago). It is definitely the lightest.

Will this app allow you to use copy protected ISO files? I got a couple of old games (like early 2000's old) that I dont want the cd/dvds scratched and I made ISO files with them. While the games themselves work great in windows 7 surprisingly considering the age of them, I just want to protect the cd/dvds from scratches by using ISO files instead. I know many of the virtual drive apps out there can get around these, I just wanted to know if this could do this as well, so I could get rid of some of the bloat on my system.

+1

deamon tools use to be good now its bloatware

How is the light version of DT bloatware ? because it's got a nice tray menu ? or the optional desktop gadget ?

DT is light, at least light enough I don't need anything lighter, I know it works and is stable. it's well integrated with shell menus and tray menus for easy access to everything. and on my mediacenter MEdiaPortal talks with DT to auto mount iso files. Something it doesn't do with anything else so I'm gonna stick with DT since it works, and does everything I need. and I don't see any bloat.

How is the light version of DT bloatware ? because it's got a nice tray menu ? or the optional desktop gadget ?

DT is light, at least light enough I don't need anything lighter, I know it works and is stable. it's well integrated with shell menus and tray menus for easy access to everything. and on my mediacenter MEdiaPortal talks with DT to auto mount iso files. Something it doesn't do with anything else so I'm gonna stick with DT since it works, and does everything I need. and I don't see any bloat.

i was speaking about when it dt frist came into ver 4 the lite version was ad supported, guess it isn't anymore? and i always had problems with the driver signing on x64 with it; is that fixed cuz i gave up on dt and used virtual clone drive for the last 2 years

Never had any problems with DT and driver signing, during the win7 beta it wasn't available but after launch they had it ready quite fast.

As for ad supported, well there an optional tool bar thing during install you just say no to. something I don't have an issue with since I understand that even programmers need to eat, and it is purely optionaland it's a great piece of software.

Interesting find, I've been using SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive in-place of Daemon Tools Lite for some time now (only switched because ImgBurn stopped burning correctly). I will definitely check this out. Thanks ;)

I am also using VirtualCloneDrive.

Will this app allow you to use copy protected ISO files? I got a couple of old games (like early 2000's old) that I dont want the cd/dvds scratched and I made ISO files with them. While the games themselves work great in windows 7 surprisingly considering the age of them, I just want to protect the cd/dvds from scratches by using ISO files instead. I know many of the virtual drive apps out there can get around these, I just wanted to know if this could do this as well, so I could get rid of some of the bloat on my system.

why not just use no-cd cracks?

I have been waiting for years for a decent freeware non-crippleware (crippled like Daemon Tools Lite/ Alcohol 52%) mounting application. WinCDEmu has stepped up to the call and a bonus it's not only freeware but free as in libre being open source! Kudos to the WinCDEmu devs. I will never long again for DT or Alcohol's products.

I have been waiting for years for a decent freeware non-crippleware (crippled like Daemon Tools Lite/ Alcohol 52%) mounting application. WinCDEmu has stepped up to the call and a bonus it's not only freeware but free as in libre being open source! Kudos to the WinCDEmu devs. I will never long again for DT or Alcohol's products.

of course, the crippled DT lite, does everyting WinCDEmu does and then some... so why where you waiting ?

of course, the crippled DT lite, does everyting WinCDEmu does and then some... so why where you waiting ?

You know, it's obvious that you don't want to switch, so why not stop hassling the people in here who do want to use it?

All I need in mounting software is to be able to mount, and unmounted. And apparently, I'm not alone with that. So therefore, this app does what I want, and consequently, it does what they want. This is open and shut, so if you could politely refrain from the DT stuff, that would be nice :)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Because of the EU (a good thing) newer android devices been getting 5 years worth of security patches. Except some Motorola which found the loop hole, and offer ZERO updates. In addition, Google for years have been making where it can patch some stuff by updating the core Google Play Store itself.  As echoed earlier,  you take the security risk in to your own hand beyond supported.
    • Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 by Razvan Serea Win11Debloat is a lightweight, easy to use PowerShell script that allows you to quickly declutter and customize your Windows experience. It can remove pre-installed bloatware apps, disable telemetry, remove intrusive interface elements and much more. The script also includes many features that system administrators and power users will enjoy. Such as a powerful command-line interface, support for Windows Audit mode and the option to make changes to other Windows users. All changes made by Win11Debloat can be easily reversed, and most removed apps can be restored via the Microsoft Store. A full guide on how to undo the changes is available here. Win11Debloat features: Below is an overview of the key features and functionality offered by Win11Debloat. Please refer to the wiki for more information about the default settings preset. Remove a wide variety of preinstalled apps. Click here for more info. Disable telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking & targeted ads. Disable tips, tricks, suggestions & ads across Windows. Disable Windows location services & app location access. Disable Find My Device location tracking. Disable 'Windows Spotlight' and tips & tricks on the lock screen. Disable 'Windows Spotlight' desktop background option. Disable ads, suggestions and the MSN news feed in Microsoft Edge. Hide Microsoft 365 ads on the Settings 'Home' page, or hide the 'Home' page entirely. Disable & remove Microsoft Copilot. Disable Windows Recall. Disable Click to Do, AI text & image analysis tool. Prevent AI service (WSAIFabricSvc) from starting automatically. Disable AI Features in Edge. Disable AI Features in Paint. Disable AI Features in Notepad. Disable the Drag Tray for sharing & moving files. Restore the old Windows 10 style context menu. Turn off Enhance Pointer Precision, also known as mouse acceleration. Disable the Sticky Keys keyboard shortcut. Disable Storage Sense automatic disk cleanup. Disable fast start-up to ensure a full shutdown. ...and more. Once you’ve downloaded the Win11Debloat file (Get.ps1), just follow these quick steps: Locate the Get.ps1 script file. Right-click the file and select Run with PowerShell from the context menu. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), select Yes to grant the script the necessary administrative permissions. Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 fixes: Fix lock screen spotlight option being disabled when disabling the start recommended section by @Raphire in #619 Fix log message formatting by @Raphire Note The -RemoveCommApps and -RemoveW11Outlook command-line parameters for uninstalling a few specific apps have been removed with this release. If you previously relied on these parameters, please see this wiki page for alternative methods of removing these apps. Download: Win11Debloat 06.11.2026 | Open Source View: Win11Debloat Home Page | Screenshots 1| 2 Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Yes for me, I installed 'old calculator' (Windows 7 calculator) in its place since it is more useful to me. I think paint is the only one I left installed
  • Recent Achievements

    • Rookie
      restore went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Very Popular
      AndrewSteel earned a badge
      Very Popular
    • Veteran
      Taliseian went up a rank
      Veteran
    • One Month Later
      Clizby earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      Timaximus earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      511
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      162
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      154
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      82
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      79
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!