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.daa extension (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 files 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 file .daa that you get over the internet, especially those from Linux users, or file-sharing services (like BitTorrent) will be in DAA format.
This tutorial will show you how open .daa files for free on Windows. Extracting .daa extension files require two steps – converting the DAA file to an ISO file, and then burning the ISO file to a disc or extracting the ISO to get the required files.
Open / extract .daa files
Below are the methods to open .daa files on Windows.
If you use Mac OS X, see our tutorial on opening .daa files on Mac OS X for free.Tutorial for Linux will be added soon.
Open DAA files on Windows
To get .daa files open in Windows, follow the steps below (screenshots have been included for your convenience). We will convert the DAA file to ISO format first. You can then extract files from the ISO file using IZArc (which we will do below) or burn it to a disc.
- Download DAA 2 ISO from this page. Save it to Desktop. Extract (by double-clicking) the zip folder to get a folder named daa2iso.
- Open the folder. There are two files named daa2iso.
- Double-click the daa2iso file with a label application to the right side (and has a colorful icon), You will get a command prompt along with a window to choose your files.
click to enlargeDouble-click the .daa file you need to extract.
- In the window that comes up, enter a file name and hit Save.
click to enlarge - The file will be extracted in a few seconds (it takes more time if you have a larger file). The command prompt window will appear with the confirmation (as shown below).
- Hit enter key to quit the command prompt. The converted .iso file will be saved in the same location as the original .daa file.
- If you have 7Zip, open it and extract the ISO file. Else, follow the next step.
- Download and install IZArc.
- Open Computer and navigate to where you saved the .iso file (which is where you saved the original .daa file also).
- Right-click the file and click IZArc > Extract to .\
where stands for your file. 
- You will now have the files extracted into a folder of the same name as the .iso file, in the same location.
Instead of extracting files, if you need to burn a disc from the files, download and install ImgBurn (freeware). Open ImgBurn and burn the ISO file to a disc to get a disc with all the contents of the original DAA file.
The steps used above have been tested and working. If there are some errors, chances are, it might be because of the original .daa file being corrupt. Retry each step. But if you still find any problems, leave a comment below for assistance.
7-Zip at http://www.7-zip.org can also extract the .iso file.
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.
I dowloaded daa2iso from this site but it didnt work
This doesn’t seem to be working.
Ok, i’ve done everything as instructed, but while in the prosses of extracting my file to its output, i keep getting an error.
it stops at 2% of the unpacking and gives me the following error:
the compressed ZLIB input is wrong or incomplete
@Mr.E: I’m not sure what you’re saying, but the possible reasons for it might be a corrupt software install or an incomplete/corrupt file that you’re trying to extract. Try redownloading the file and/or reinstalling the required software (IZArc etc.)
Thanks a bunch for this!.. daa2iso is awesome! One comment thought.. IZarc is not really necessary.. if you already have 7zip then you can use that to extract the ISO file, or just burn the iso into a CD.
daa2iso.exe works!
Here’s a much easier way.Winrar opens ISO and DAA files the same easy way it opens ZIP files.I’ve just done it – I opened – and installed – two 4GB “daa” files without a hitch.I’ve removed Power Iso, Magic Iso, and Alcohol 120% from my systems – who needs them.Winrar handles so many compressed file types – it’s far better – IMHO – than winzip, and it’s a cinch to use.I hope this is of some help.
@Dave: That is a good method of opening DAA files – I will update the post to mention it too. However, I should remind that this post shows you how to open daa files for free – without paid or trial software (WinRAR).5
Wonderful. This is a life saver tip. I have received a .DAA file and have been wondering how to read the contents. I have just downloaded DAA2ISO.
Thanks to share these nice tips.
Appreciated !!!
works for me. thanks a lots.
DAA2ISO:
Excellent utility! BAH to proprietary programs.
From the w-shadow.com download site the program did not work from first link (daa2iso_gui.zip), but it did work from the second link (”from this page”). Weird, but hey, as long as I eventually got the correct version.
daa2iso worked perfectly for me. Your help is greatly appreciated.
I’ve downloaded the files and it worked perfectly for me .. Thanks
download daa2iso from [link removed by admin, do not advertise external links unless relevant]……….dis realy works man ………..
Thank you! That helped!
IZarc is garbage. Use 7zip.
@Matt: I respect your opinion, but I’ve personally been very satisfied with IZArc. Gets the job done very well. I suspect you a)use obscure file types only 7zip can open or b)are an open-source supporter just for the sake of it.
Thanks Sumesh,
It perfectly worked!!
it really works,,,,,,,
daa2iso.exe work great! thank you…
the result image .ISO I opened with daemon tool, and work perfect.
Thanks… It’s working.
works great, very easy to use anyone new to all this will have no problems thanx to everyone who got this so easy to find and use
cheers
“or file-sharing services (like BitTorrent) will be in DAA format”
If you are downloading DAA files using a BiTtorrent why not just search for a cracked version of WinRAR and save yourself the headache.
it works fine thanx a million bro when riches start pouring in ill contact you again
WAW! This has to be like the most straight forward, simple n straight to the point tutorial ever! and what makes it even better is that it worked FLAWLESSLY! i barely lifted a finger (only to press the mouse buttons).
ANOTHER PLUS is that i didnt even have to install anything! i wouldnt have it any other way, this is perfect! cuz i hate installing crap that i know ima only use ONCE! plus i just reformatted my comp so definitely wasnt tryna install any one night stand software already to slow up comp.
THANKS A MILLION MAN
@Kenny: Glad you liked it
And tell that to the commenter above who asks why you should use this method instead of downloading a pirated copy of Power ISO.
Wow man, this worked perfectly!!!
Thanks A LOOT!
Hey!!!!!!
it works perfectly!!!!!!!!!
thnxxxxxxxxxx a tonnnnnnnnn
perfect… much appreciated….
THANKS!!!!
Thanks a lot for your help. It was great for me
Thanks Mr. Sumesh
The solution provided by you works great.
The download link for daa2iso led to a non-english webpage. I couldn’t understand and downloaded from http://aluigi.altervista.org/mytoolz.htm.
Once again Thanks.
Glad you found the tutorial useful, and thanks for alerting me about the link. It was working fine when I posted it, it appears the webmaster blocked direct download, so I have updated the link.
thank you so much for this. it helped me alot !