Microsoft → [XP+] Windows Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel

The Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel utility enables users of Windows XP, Vista, and 7 to mount ISO disk image files as virtual CD-ROM drives. This can be highly useful for reading disk images to install software or recover backup files. Notes: This tool is not supported by Microsoft; use at your own risk. Windows 8 users do NOT need this tool. Windows 8 natively supports ISO files.

In Windows 8, you can simply open an ISO file and Windows automatically assigns it a drive letter and reads it as a virtual drive.

Supported operating systems: Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Version: 2.0.1.1
Date published: 4/23/2013

At Microsoft Download Center.

Thank you, chachazz

Just in time. When everyone start to forget what CD is, they've decided to publish this tool...

BTW, I downloaded this file 10 years ago:
winxpvirtualcdcontrolpanel_21.exe
Size: 61064 bytes
Modified: Thursday, November 13, 2003, 13:31:28
MD5: 4AF0B87C01FA61690906D990387CD1B1
SHA1: C62E976AA2D6ECADAC238B7C4AC779B81C323457
CRC32: 0166E10E

Why they say:
Date published: 4/23/2013

And actual executable there is VCdControlTool.exe, which has version 1.0.0.1.

It's not only them, who collect and keep data about us indefinitely in their private databases. We have computers too, you know... and I keep some old records about them as well .
So please don't sell us the old fish as something new

Just FYI:
Most ISO images can be extracted using a packaging software like winrar. Requires more disk space obviously since, but can be favorable if the image is on a central server and the clients can access the image's content without additional software.

Still, thanks for the suggestion. It can be very handy.