Why Microsoft Office Appears as a DVD Drive and How to Eject It
Question details
The user sees Microsoft Office appearing as a DVD drive on their computer and needs to know why this virtual drive was created and how to safely remove it.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Checking system drives or managing files after performing an offline Microsoft Office installation.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Office shows up under a DVD drive letter in File Explorer, even if the computer lacks a physical DVD drive, due to a mounted ISO installation file.
Ensure that your Microsoft Office installation is fully completed before attempting to eject the virtual drive, as removing it during the installation process will cause the setup to fail.
Eject the Virtual DVD Drive in File Explorer
Unmount the ISO file to remove the virtual DVD drive once the Office installation is completely finished.
When you download an offline installer (ISO file) for Microsoft Office and double-click it, Windows automatically mounts it as a virtual DVD drive. This allows the system to read the installation files as if a physical disc were inserted.
Once the software is installed, you can safely unmount this virtual drive. Doing so will simply remove the temporary installation media and will not affect your newly installed Office applications.
Press the Windows key + E on your keyboard or click the folder icon on your taskbar to open File Explorer.
Navigate to 'This PC' in the left sidebar and look for the DVD drive containing the Microsoft Office installation files.
Right-click the virtual DVD drive and select 'Eject' from the context menu. The virtual drive will immediately disappear from the list.
Try WPS Office: A Lightweight and Free Alternative
If you want to avoid dealing with bulky ISO files and virtual drives, consider WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and easy-to-install office suite that provides a familiar interface and seamless migration without complex offline installers.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Download WPS Office Free' button.
- 2. Run the Setup: Locate the downloaded executable file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to start the standard installer.
- 3. Complete Installation: Follow the simple on-screen prompts to install the lightweight suite in seconds, ready to use immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will ejecting the virtual DVD drive uninstall my Office apps?
No, ejecting the virtual drive only unmounts the installation media (the ISO file). Your installed Microsoft Office applications will remain completely intact and functional.
Why did Microsoft Office install as an ISO file?
If you downloaded an offline installer for Microsoft Office, it typically comes in the form of an ISO file. This format acts like a digital disc, requiring Windows to mount it as a virtual DVD drive to access and execute the setup files.
Can I delete the ISO file after ejecting the drive?
Yes. Once the installation is fully complete and you have ejected the virtual drive via File Explorer, you can safely delete the original ISO file from your Downloads folder to free up storage space.
