What is the FCD file format?
An .fcd file is a Virtual CD Backup Image - a proprietary optical disc image format created by H+H Software GmbH's Virtual CD application. The format was used through Virtual CD versions 1, 2, and 3 before being superseded by updated image formats in later software versions.
An .fcd image stores an uncompressed, sector-by-sector copy of a CD-ROM, making the resulting file approximately the same size as the source disc - typically 650 MB to 700 MB for a standard CD-ROM. The file begins with a Virtual CD proprietary header identified by the magic bytes 01 00 00 00 00 80 00 00 00 at offset 0, followed by the raw uncompressed sector data. No compression or encryption is applied.
Structurally, .fcd images are similar to raw .bin CD images wrapped in Virtual CD's proprietary container. This means major disc image tools such as IsoBuster, UltraISO, and PowerISO can open and convert .fcd files to the more universally supported .iso format.
Virtual CD remains commercially available at virtualcd-online.com, though its own format progressed through .vc4, .vc6, .vc8, and the general .vcd extension in later software versions. Each new generation introduced format changes while retaining backward compatibility with older .fcd files. Users working with archived .fcd images today will typically want to convert them to ISO for the widest compatibility with modern virtual drive software.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMFCD files are disc images and may contain whatever was on the original disc - including software with autorun functionality or executables. Treat the contents with the same caution as any old CD-ROM. Mount and scan before running any executable files from within the image. Risk is similar to ISO files in general.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open FCD files
Windows5 apps
Virtual CD
Paid Open Virtual CD, add the FCD file to your drive list, and mount it as a virtual drive letter. Double-click the image in Virtual CD's interface. 
UltraISO
Paid File > Open the FCD to browse its contents or convert to ISO via File > Save As. Trialware (30-day free trial). 
IsoBuster
Freemium Open the FCD to inspect and extract files. Free tier available; paid for advanced features like data recovery. 
PowerISO
Paid Open the FCD to browse/extract files, mount as a virtual drive, or convert to ISO via Convert function. Trialware. 
AnyBurn
Free Open the FCD file or use Convert image file format to convert to ISO. Free and no-install option available. Technical details
deep spec| Developer | H+H Software GmbH |
| Application | Virtual CD v1-v3 (earliest format generation) |
| Encoding | Binary, uncompressed sector-by-sector CD image |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Magic bytes | 01 00 00 00 00 80 00 00 00 at offset 0 |
| Compression | None (raw CD sectors stored verbatim) |
| Typical file size | 650 MB - 700 MB (standard CD-ROM capacity) |
| Container structure | Virtual CD proprietary header followed by uncompressed raw sector data |
| Successor formats | .vc4, .vc6, .vc8, .vcd (later Virtual CD versions) |
| Platform | Windows only |
| Third-party support | Readable and convertible by UltraISO, PowerISO, IsoBuster, AnyBurn |
| Recommended migration | Convert to .iso for long-term compatibility with modern virtual drive software |
| Released | Mid-1990s (Virtual CD version 1) |
| Latest version | Used through Virtual CD v3; replaced by .VCD (v4+), .VC6, .VC8 in later versions |
| Specification | www.virtualcd-online.com |
FCD conversions
Community Q&A
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