How to Make an MP3 CD Using Windows Media Player

If you have hundreds of MP3s downloaded on to your computer and would like to make a CD out of them, it is very simple. In Windows Media Player you can burn two different types of CDs, data or audio. While you can get twice as many songs on a data CD, you will only be able to play them on a CD player that reads MP3s. (Burning your MP3s to an audio CD will allow up to 79 minutes of recorded time, but you will be able to play it on any audio CD player.) The following steps are for making an MP3 CD that can be played on an MP3 CD player.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Writable CD
• PC with Windows Media Player installed

1. Close all open browsers on your computer.

2. Open Windows Media Player and insert your blank CD.

3. Select "Burn" from the top of the Windows Media Player screen. When the drop-down menu under "Burn" appears, select "Data CD" and "Eject Disc After Burning."

4. Select "Songs" under the Library option on the left side of your Windows Media Player screen.

5. Click and drag the songs you want to be on the CD over to the "Burn list" pane on the right hand side of your Windows Media Player screen.

6. Select "Start Burn" when you have finished building your play list. Wait for the burning to be complete before using your computer.

7. Remove the completed MP3 CD when it is ejected in the CD burner.

Tips & Warnings

• To make a CD that can be played on all CD players, instead of selecting "Data CD" under "Burn," select "Audio CD."
• If you are having problems with burning CDs, you can adjust the burn speed. Select "Burn" and then "Advanced Options" under the drop-down menu. Choose the "Burn" tab and there you can adjust the speed, though it is not recommended. CD-RW discs do not work in all CD players, so it is recommended to use CD-R.

Resources

• Windows Media Player "How-to" Center for all versions of Windows.
• Windows Media Player help and support.

[pandagirl]

on 7/24/2009 I would like to know how to burn an audio CD to play on any audio player. great article though.