If you have a disc image and you are not sure what to do with it, start here: for a data disc, ISO is usually the most convenient format because Windows 10 and 11 can mount it natively, while BIN is the raw original that often needs converting. CUE is not an image at all, IMG is a generic label that can mean several things, and MDF usually comes with a companion MDS file. Converting to ISO makes sense for data discs, but it is not always the right move, especially for audio discs.
WinBin2Iso, the free Windows tool by Nenad Hrg and SoftwareOK, converts BIN to ISO and MDF to ISO. The latest version is v6.79, released on 19 October 2026, and it is distributed as ZIP files only, with no installer. You can get it from the WinBin2Iso download page. This guide explains each format so you can decide whether to convert, mount, or leave a file exactly as it is.
Quick comparison table
| Format | What it is | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | A single-file disc image | Mounting, storing and sharing data discs | Audio track structure may be lost in conversion |
| BIN | A raw disc image, usually with a CUE file | Preserving the original disc layout | Windows cannot mount BIN directly |
| CUE | A small text file describing track layout | Mounting and burning the paired BIN | It contains no disc data on its own |
| IMG | A generic image label | Varies by source | Not always a mountable disc image |
| MDF | A raw-ish image, usually paired with MDS | Converting to ISO for data discs | Session and other details in MDS may not survive conversion |
ISO: the convenient single file
ISO is a single-file disc image. That simplicity is its main advantage. You can copy one file, store one file, and, on Windows 10 and 11, double-click it to mount it as a virtual drive without extra software. For a data disc, such as a disc containing documents, photos, or program files, an ISO is easy to work with and easy to explain to someone else.
BIN and CUE: a pair, not a single file
BIN is a raw image of a disc. It holds the disc data in raw form, including the extra bytes that a simple file copy would not capture. That is why BIN files are often larger than the equivalent ISO. SoftwareOK notes that a 74-minute CD has 333,000 sectors, with each raw sector at 2,352 bytes, while MODE1 data sectors carry 2,048 bytes of data. The difference helps explain why a BIN can be larger than the ISO made from it, without anything being wrong.
CUE is the small text file that usually sits next to a BIN. It describes the track layout: which file holds the data, where tracks start, and how they are ordered. For a data disc, WinBin2Iso does not need the CUE file to convert BIN to ISO, because the data itself is in the BIN. For mounting or burning the original BIN, however, the CUE matters, because the mounting or burning tool uses it to understand the layout. See what is a CUE file and what is a BIN file for the full details.
IMG: check before you assume
IMG is a generic extension. It can be a raw disc image, a device image, or an image in another program’s own layout, depending on where it came from. Do not assume an IMG file will mount in Windows just because it looks like a disc image, and do not assume WinBin2Iso will convert it, because WinBin2Iso is built for BIN and MDF input. If you have an IMG file, first find out what created it and what it is supposed to contain. If it came with a CUE file or documentation, that documentation is your best guide. If it is a device image rather than a disc image, treating it as a disc image can lead to confusion or a failed mount.
MDF and MDS: keep the pair in mind
MDF is most often seen alongside MDS. The MDF file holds the image data in a raw-ish form, while the MDS file holds track and session information, in the style associated with Alcohol 120%. WinBin2Iso can convert MDF to ISO, which is useful for a data disc you want to mount easily. The trade-off is that a plain ISO may not preserve everything the MDS described, such as session details. For a straightforward data disc, that trade-off is usually acceptable. For a complex or unusual disc, keeping the original MDF and MDS pair is the safer choice. Our MDF and MDS explained guide and how to convert MDF to ISO tutorial cover both sides of that decision.
The audio warning you should not skip
Audio needs special care. A multi-track audio BIN and CUE converted to a single ISO can lose track structure. The music may still be there as one long stretch of audio, but the separate tracks, with their boundaries and ordering, may not survive in a usable form. If the disc is an audio CD, keep the BIN and CUE pair, or mount the original, rather than converting to ISO and deleting the source. ISO is right for data discs. For audio, preserving the original pair is the cautious and correct choice. The post on audio CD BIN to ISO and missing tracks explains this in more depth.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a CUE file to convert a data BIN to ISO?
No. For a data disc, WinBin2Iso converts the BIN itself. The CUE is needed by mounting and burning tools that rely on it to read the original layout, not by WinBin2Iso for a data conversion.
Can Windows mount a BIN file directly?
No. Windows 10 and 11 mount ISO files natively, but not BIN files. Convert a data BIN to ISO first, or use a mounting tool that understands BIN and CUE.