How to extract and open .daa files for free (Windows and Linux)
.daa (Direct Access Archives) is a proprietary format by PowerISO, used commonly to archive large ISO files (ISO is a disk image format that you can burn to a disk using Nero or any other burner). DAA file format has features like compression, password protection, and splitting to multiple volumes.
DAA files can be opened by PowerISO, but unfortunately, it is free to use only for small files. Many files that you get over the internet, especially those from Linux users, or file-sharing services(like BitTorrent) will be in DAA format. This tutorial shows you how to extract such files free of cost.
For Windows users
For Linux Users
For Windows
You should download the following programs:
DAA2ISO (no install required, just open it)
IZArc and install it.
Once you’ve downloaded and installed them, follow these easy steps:
- Open DAA2ISO, and in the first box, point to the DAA file. In the second box, select the place where you want to extract the ISO, and also the filename for it.
- Open IZArc, and point to the ISO file and fill in the details like where you want it to be extracted to.
You would now have the original files that were converted to DAA.
If you need to make a disc of the files, you can follow the first step from above, and then download and install ImgBurn (freeware). Then, open ImgBurn and burn the ISO file to a disc to get a disc with all the contents of the original DAA file.
For Linux
Linux users can use the AcetoneISO utility to extract the ISO file. Read MLUG’s review of Acetone and steps for the conversion.

By ed wiget on Feb 6, 2008 | Reply
I have several articles on mounting daa files in linux, and specifically one article on acetoneiso - link to all articles: http://www.maysville-linux-users-group.org/archive-showall.html or link to acetoneiso article: http://www.maysville-linux-users-group.org/article105.html and also linux poweriso article: http://www.maysville-linux-users-group.org/article103.html
By Sumesh on Feb 7, 2008 | Reply
@Ed Wiget: Will update the post with the link, and thanks for letting me know.
By Binny V A on Mar 3, 2008 | Reply
Another way to extract DAA files in Linux
By Sumesh on Mar 3, 2008 | Reply
@Binny: Well, there seems to be many ways of extracting .daa files - but more in Linux.
By Henry on Mar 15, 2008 | Reply
7-Zip at http://www.7-zip.org can also extract the .iso file.
By Randall on Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Brilliant article. Very helpful and informative. There’s nothing’ quite like free software ran in DOS.
By Dbug on May 3, 2008 | Reply
There’s a free utility call DAA Converter for converting .daa files to .iso on Mac OS X 10.3 or later (does not support passworded files).
It is open source and is available at twilightedge.com
It is basically a Mac GUI enhanced version of the linux command-line tool daa2iso.
The resulting .iso files can be mounted by simply double-clicking, and can be burned with Apple’s Disk Utility, or commercial software such as Toast.