Someone reviewed v on Mar 19, 2023

Pros:

Cons:

Bottom Line:

Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

FatBastard reviewed v3.4 on Aug 22, 2014

I'm surprise this ancient software is still around.
Most programs don't last as long.

olivergiving reviewed v3.2 on Sep 25, 2013

isobuster rocks

DrTeeth reviewed v3.2 Build 3.1.9.2 Beta on Apr 21, 2013

I have only had to use this 'in anger' once and it salvaged all my data. The developer is responsive, knowledgeable and polite. Licence well worth the money.

Philidor reviewed v2.9 Beta on Feb 18, 2012

I use the free functionality to recover files from deteriorated CDs. Best I've tried.

But there is a learning curve. Use the blue option to recover your files as they were rather than in other formats (Iso, etc). Be careful that the level (there are Sessions) includes all your files. If you can avoid having it try to recover files written on bad (as opposed to damaged) sectors, do so. You'll save a lot of time. Check the files recovered; there may be parts incompletely copied. Another try might help.

The result is worth the attention.

Otto_technica reviewed v2.9 Beta on Feb 12, 2012

I used to love ISOBuster, but now that they are installing crapware ("ISOBuster Toolbar") this package is being added to my ALP (Avoid Like the Plague) list.
I don't mind someone trying to make a buck on an excellent product, I just prefer people to do it honestly. At least make the option to install crapware deselcted by default.

cybergonzo reviewed v2.4.0.1 on Dec 18, 2008

Excellent soft !

Sweet and powerfull !

The toolbar can be unchecked during install and the new version's toolbar doesn't change the homepage anymore (it was a bug in fact, see change notes)

This software CAN and DID recover my corrupted Video ! I'm so glad I recovered our daughter's birth.

alexkirck reviewed v2.4.0.1 on Nov 6, 2008

Stay away! This ISO Busturd overwrites your Internet settings, adds toolbar add it's logo to start page without even informing you!

sps reviewed v2.4.0.1 on Sep 2, 2008

Impressive!

DaveBG reviewed v2.4.0.1 on Jun 1, 2008

Seems awesome app!

poisonu reviewed v2.3.0.1 on Dec 22, 2007

Best of breed!.....

horsecharles reviewed v2.3 Beta on Dec 14, 2007

Has saved my bacon in the past. I also salute the Unlimited Free Trial aspect of it.

shantanu reviewed v2.3 Beta on Dec 14, 2007

Works great ... probably deserves a "six" out of five ;) :D

The whats new:
http://www.isobuster.com/news.php?news_page=36

Diam0nd reviewed v2.2 on Aug 21, 2007

Great app!

zapatero reviewed v2.2 on Aug 21, 2007

Very good if used for its intended purpose. It is not an image editor like UltraIso. Also useful to open multisession CD/DVDs.

thezelda reviewed v2.1 on Apr 22, 2007

Used to like it. Now I've replaced it with UltraISO. It simply wouldn't open many images. Between the already necessary WinImage, and UltraISO, this program is no longer needed in my toolbox. I would have never looked for another ISO viewer unless something wasn't working right. This program no longer works well enough to be called a useful tool.

horsecharles reviewed v2.1 on Apr 20, 2007

Totally agree with [deXter].

Another admirable trait is that even though it's payware, it does not get disables.

I try to stick to freeware, but this is one of the few apps really worth paying for: it has saved my bacon, nay rear end, in the past.

Kudoos.

Diam0nd reviewed v2.1 on Apr 20, 2007

Great tool! Stylish too :D

[deXter] reviewed v2.0 on Dec 27, 2006

I've tested *all* the CD/DVD recovery software out there, and none of them worked as well as IsoBuster. Let me remind you all once again that IsoBuster is *not* primarily an iso editing/viewing tool (infact, its name is misleading). IsoBuster's main aim is to explore and recover data from real, physical optical media.

Although I was a regular IsoBuster user since its very fisrt few versions, I never really compared and tested its recovery abilities until recently, when I came across an improperly recorded Video DVD (was made by a PVR). To complicate problems, the DVD was also scratched. So I needed a software not only to detect the lost files and tracks, but also recover the maximum possible data. Most of the other programs weren't even able detect the lost files, while the ones that did weren't able to recover the file (due to the physical damage). Needless to say, IsoBuster was the only one that did everything effortlessly.

I wasn't really surprised with the results, but I was indeed surprised that none of the other programs managed to do what IsoBuster was able to do. This made me realise that IsoBuster really is a one-of-its-kind software.

zridling reviewed v2.0 on Dec 26, 2006

Love IsoBuster and have used it for quite some time because it works so well. If you have a file with no extension, IsoBuster can identify it 99% of the time. Between IsoBuster and UltraISO, get IsoBuster first.

zapatero reviewed v2.0 on Dec 26, 2006

UltraISO and IsoBuster are different. UltraIso is an image editor, which IsoBuster is not. IsoBuster is very good for recovering files from a damaged disc. I have also used it to read all sessions in a multisession disc (Windows only reads the last one). For this function, IsoBuster opens all sessions at once, UltraIso only opens one.

guti reviewed v2.0 on Dec 26, 2006

Used to be not bad. Unfortunatelly time pased with not many improvements in it.

At this point, UltraISO is far better.

dhry reviewed v1.9.1 on Jul 4, 2006

Yeah thanks, Horsecharles. Next time how about an actual objective opinion of the program instead of cutting and pasting ten screens of text that we could have visited the homepage and read for ourselves..?

horsecharles reviewed v1.9 on Dec 27, 2005

December 26, 2005 IsoBuster 1.9 (Build 1.9.0.3)
This version features:

New:

- More ways to rescue lost data from CD and DVD:

- E.g. a supporting feature for CD and DVD data recovery:

The ability to create managed IBP/IBQ files

- Stop creation at any time.

- Continue creation at any time.

- Fill the gaps left during failed reads.

- Use different drives to complete an image of a bad disc.

* In other words the amazing ability to create an image file of a bad disc using many different drives that all do their part to finally have a resulting image that can be used to recover all missing data

- Support for multiple "virtual sessions" inside a single session, single track, on DVD+RW or DVD-RW, created by ASHAMPOO.

- Ability to set/reset file-extension association via Options (besides via the installation procedure).

- Ability to have IsoBuster beep after extraction,
after a scan for lost files or
after a surface scan (Set in Options)

- Ability to have IsoBuster sort files and folders immediately and
automatically after their parent folder is parsed. (Set in Options)

- Ability to have IsoBuster put folders on top immediately and
automatically after their parent folder is parsed. (Set in Options)

- Ability to enable/disable showing certain status icons for files and folders (Set in Options)

- Ability to change files found based on their signature, and
ability to change their address, length or even delete and add files. (Set in Options)

- Ability to perform the Online check with Auto-detection of Proxy settings, Manual Proxy settings or Proxy settings via a URL (Advanced Online Check Options)

- Ability to avoid a number of messages. A large number of them are new, related to *.IBP, *.IBQ. Set or Reset displaying them in the Options.

- Support Multi volume Image-file-format *.000, *.001, *.002, *.003, (made by Unix DD (or so they say))

- Support Multi volume Image-file-format *.AA, *.AB, *.AC, ... , *.BA, *.BB, ... (made by Unix Split (or so they say))

- Support Multi volume Image-file-format *.nrg, *.nrg.001, *.nrg.002, *.nrg.003.

- Ability to skip files each time an error is encountered in them (when extracting multiple files at once)

- Ability to pause extraction of an image file, and resume later or abort.

- Ability to pause finding lost files and folders, and resume later or abort.

- Prompt when no files or folders could be found to avoid confusion. New users sometimes think that a track is a missing file that needs to be manipulated somehow.

Improvements :

- Added recognition for more DVD mastering software,
enabling direct IFO/VOB mounting.

- Reduce retry count when scanning for lost files and after continued errors.

- Compensation for abnormally long tracks (when the drive is confused about the length)

- Speed (via memory management) improvement for when many (millions) of small files are found based on their signature.

- Also list the LBA (Address) of files listed as unreadable after a scan.

- Various improvements in the file-signature recognition part, more file types are supported, far less false positives.

- Reference to the *.cdt (cd-text) files from the *.cue file
with relative filename instead of absolute filename.

- Improved support for +VR recorders that do not write the _RM.BUP file in the open track (or at least not point directly to it from the reserved track (virtual content))

- Compensation for various +VR mastering bugs by the Magnus DVD+VR writer.

- Put more relevant data in *.cue files (and read back)

- More escapes to stop try mounting a CD/DVD when the media is being written or formatted

- Removed displaying MSF addresses on DVD in the Extract From-To dialogue.

- Changed the default block size of unrecognised image files to 2K per block instead of 2352 bytes block.

- Immediately display the red (x) icon next to files that are located in unreadable areas, if that can be determined immediately, (e.g. when the file is located outside the track (e.g. after am incomplete write)).
In older versions first a surface scan or "find lost files ..." needed to be performed. Files located on unread surface are still 'readable' (no (x) mark) is shown until proven differently (after failed read)

- Changed the order of Wnaspi32.dll loading so that a dll in the program folder itself gets priority over a dll in the system folder.
So the Nero wnaspi32.dll for instance (if copied in the project folder) is used instead of the (Adaptec) wnaspi32.dll in the System folder.

- Display the LoadSegment also in Hex, for a bootable CD's Boot Image file, in the file properties.

- Implemented a work around for buggy mastering where the Joliet file-system doesn't contain proper directory information beyond 8 levels deep.

- Various smaller changes and improvements

Bug Fixes :

- Fixed a division by zero error when a *.000 image file was loaded
(If the file was generic instead of part of VC4)

- Under certain conditions the MSF addresses could be wrong for tracks on DVDs when they were recorded in the *.cue file.

- Catch an error message when trying to use system animations that aren't there anymore.
Vista early beta has replaced some of these animations. Until Vista public betas become available no animations will be shown when they are not where they used to be. (e.g. during file extraction)

- On certain NT systems (2K, XP) in combination with certain RAID controllers it was possibe that some drives couldn't be found. Now they are found.

- Implemented fix that hopefully prevents the extraction window to disappear behind the main window (work around for Windows and compiler behaviour)

[deXter] reviewed v1.8.0.4 on May 30, 2005

Excellent release! Unfortunately, the interface STILL needs a LOT of work! (perhaps for 2.0?)

Other than that, the new lost files and improved DVD handling features are awesome.

Btw, there also seems to be a slight change in the registration stuff (although its not mentioned).

mmebane reviewed v1.8.0.4 on May 30, 2005

The best of its kind just keeps getting better.

hkm reviewed v1.7.0.0 on Dec 21, 2004

Absolutely *wonderful* at file recovery from CD's. I've tried many, many products and have had the best success with this one. Not only can it recover files other proggies can't, it uses wherever possible the original filename -- not like some other recovery software that recovers, then renames everything FILE1, FILE2, etc. [often with no extensions]. Also, it's much much faster than other recovery tools. Example: a recent CD w/ 650 megs of ZIP/RAR files took 10 min and recovered 100%. Another product, CDROLLER, took the FILE1 rename route, recovered only 35%, and took -- yup! -- 4 hours! ISOBUSTER 1.7 is a most welcome upgrade to a great product.

One more thing re ROXIO -- ISOBUSTER is great at recovering those Roxio or whatever UDF files that other CD recovery programs can't come near.

[deXter] reviewed v1.7.0.0 on Dec 19, 2004

Well any new version of IsoBuster is definately a welcome; plus its also available as a freeware- so you can't complain there. But lets get this straight that this is NOT an all-in-one solution to all needs. It excells in data recovery from disks, and it will and should be known and used from that perspective.

On the other hand if you are looking for a program that can extract/edit/convert/create and work across a large no. of image formats, then use UltraISO instead. And on that note, IsoBuster isn't all that great when it comes to dealing with images- for instance you cannot read a spanned VC4 files; plus several other limitations.

But we should consider this program as a data recovery program and what other features are present are just an added bonus. And keeping that in mind, I rate this 5/5 as it does its originally intended job excellenty.

DucksNotInARow reviewed v1.6.0.29 Beta on Dec 7, 2004

I am not a computer geek,just an artist who uses a computer. I don't usually do reviews but the last one I read was a bad one so I decided to contribute mine. This program has saved many image and font cd collections I made that Roxio's various versions managed to mess up. I would have lost alot of work not to mention the time put in to make the cd collections, if it weren't for this program which I purchased.

httpd.confused reviewed v1.6.0.29 Beta on Dec 5, 2004

Overrated. Terrible interface. This is my opinion, and it is as valid as yours.

shantanu reviewed v1.6.0.28 Beta on Nov 28, 2004

amazing software !!! mind-blowing functionality.

BTW, what are you saying 'darkpepe', this is NOT an emulation software ?

darkpepe reviewed v1.6.0.28 Beta on Nov 27, 2004

I used to love this app, but since virtual drives have grown up and have no hassles anymore, it has become pretty useless. Nevertheless, 5 points!

ishmoo21 reviewed v1.6.0.19 on Jul 2, 2004

great

ssb reviewed v1.6 on Apr 26, 2004

Excellent program. Do its job just fine.

nettech reviewed v1.6 on Apr 25, 2004

err!! the link is for version 1.5

Aires reviewed v1.5.0.24 on Feb 17, 2004

This is an absolutely superb piece of software. I burned a DVD for my brother and his DVD drive was faulty. Whatever the drive fault was it messed up the DVD I burned for him. I used quite a number of supposedly 'file recovery' software that is available (no names mentioned) but the *only* way to recover the files from the DVD was by using IsoBuster. This is a great piece of software in it's own right but it's recovery capabilities is almost unbelieveable. 10 stars from me. lol

TomRC reviewed v1.5.0.24 on Feb 16, 2004

IsoBuster is a very nice tool. Simple gui and robust performance. Rescues files from some of my oldest CD's .

Bachalor reviewed v1.5.0.24 on Feb 16, 2004

Good tool; thanks that you distribute it as "FreeWare".

Jeffsoft reviewed v1.5 on Jan 19, 2004

i love it!

Fats Terminal reviewed v1.5 on Nov 5, 2003

The only features disabled in the free version are for reading udf cds, which most people don't use anyway ( Nero In-CD, Roxio DirectCD, etc)

borisf98 reviewed v1.5 Beta 10 on Oct 19, 2003

It was working fine for me until last month. I tried to extract content of large ISO file and ISOBuster just froze on me time and time again. Had to use Alcohol 120% to burn the CD disk and then extract necessary file from that CD disk.

shantanu reviewed v1.5 Beta 10 on Sep 19, 2003

hey you "ailef", the utility of this program does not even bring to mind anything about the "looks" about the program. Come on man :) get real, this program os already waaay above awesome.

ailef reviewed v1.5 Beta 10 on Sep 19, 2003

it's so ugly!
can u make an effort about the appearance?

sclyde reviewed v1.4 on May 5, 2003

Very awesome and usefull program. Use it all the time and highly recommend it.

animecabbit reviewed v1.2 Beta 6 on Nov 25, 2002

Actually, Shadow, this _used_ to be freeware. After it hit version 1.0 officially, it becaume shareware. But remember, most, if not all, of it's most usefull features are still free. The shareware/paid features are still for the really freaky user that needs every and all features of isobuster, which most users will never ever use!

Shadow Lord reviewed v1.2 Beta 6 on Nov 25, 2002

Usually when a shareware program advertises itself as freeware I give it a 1 automatically for misleading the consumer... But IsoBuster was a great freeware program for a while so I am willing to cut them a bit of slack and give them a three. It would have gotten a five if it had correctly advertised itself as SHAREWARE. So just to sum it up THIS SOFTWARE IS SHAREWARE. TO GET EVERYTHING TO WORK YOU MUST PAY FOR IT. THIS IS NOT FREEWARE BUT SHAREWARE however, it is still pretty darn usefull software.

Cirque reviewed v1.1 on Sep 22, 2002

A very useful and wonderful program. Using it I was able to recover data from a CD that Windows could not read in any programs I currently have installed or tried. For being able to save data from a corrupted cd-r disk I have to give it a 5 (not to mention all the other stuff it can do), however!!! I feel this "Freeware" label is very misleading as this is NOT truely freeware anymore. For any "New" options to function you must register thus making this SHAREWARE if you want full functionality. As quoted from their site:
"IsoBuster is largely for free, but if you wish to express your appreciation for the time and resources I've expended developing and supporting it over the years, I do accept and appreciate monetary donations.

Some features of IsoBuster however require registration.
Most of the functionality is still for free and will stay for free (e.g. all functionality of IsoBuster

tem0 reviewed v0.99.6 on Jan 3, 2001

I highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to splice their bins/isos/clonecds etc...

paradox909 reviewed v0.99.5 Beta 2 on Jun 21, 2000

Hey this sounds awesome!

This is mainly to the author but I was wondering if this program could read multiple layers of a CDRW ? Such a program is greatly needed

Paradox - 909