Software distributed on CD or DVD sometimes requires it to be on the media to install or otherwise work. You can distribute the content virtually as an *.iso file, and then mount that file so the OS thinks it's an actual CD or DVD.
Windows
Windows 8 or 10 do not have this capability built in.
In Chemistry IT, we tend to use the free utility, InfraRecorder:
MS's utility:
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=38780
- Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel
- winxpvirtualcdcontrolpanel_21.exe
Useful how-to, with other options
- http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/mount-an-iso-image-in-windows-vista/
- Oliver remembers it was possible to mount ISO using VLC
Creating ISOs