How to Rewrite on RW-CDs
Do you hate wasting CD-Rs and throwing them away when you're done only to burn another CD-R. Are you trying be environmentally friendly and rewrite onto CD-Rs, but can't seem to figure out how? Rewriting a CD-RW isn't that hard, but you have to know where to go and remember a few simple rules.
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Instructions
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Make sure your disc is a CD-RW and not a CD-R. Almost every CD you buy will be marked on the disc, indicating what type of CD it is. "CD_RW" appears to be the most common format now. However, initially there was also a competing CD+RW format. Although most CD-ROMs can read and write both, some can only do one or the other. Make sure you have the correct format for your CD-ROM.
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Be prepared to delete all of the files on the CD-RW unless you have used a special program like Direct CD or something similar to write to your CD-RW. If you have, then you can use that program to selectively delete files. Otherwise, in order to rewrite to your CD-RW, you must delete everything on the disk at once.
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Delete your files on your CD-RW. Writing can be done quite easily, but to rewrite, you must first delete. To delete the files, click on "My Computer." Then right-click on the CD-ROM drive with the CD-RW disk. Select "Open." Go to the CD Writing Tasks pane, and click "Erase this CD-RW." Click "Next" in the Welcome to the CD Writing Wizard dialog box. Windows will display that it is erasing the CD. When it is done, it will give you a message that the CD-RW is ready to be reused.
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Verify the files are deleted by looking at the contents of the CD. If it is empty, you should be able to use the CD-RW again.
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Tips & Warnings
CD-RWs can be rewritten about 1,000 times. CD-RWs are also usually slower than CD-Rs, more expensive, and don't last nearly as long. Rewritten CDRs do not work in many older music-only CD players.
