How to Burn a Writable CD

Writable CDs are referred to as CD-R discs.

A writable CD, which is often referred to as a CD-R, is a disc that allows you to write data onto the CD once. That is, once you have burned data onto the CD, you can't rewrite or delete any information from the CD. There are two major types of CDs you can create when burning to a writable CD. The first is a data CD, in which you can simply burn various files onto the CD. The second is an audio CD. This CD will contain audio files that are compatible with a CD player.

Instructions

Data CD

1. Turn your computer on and insert a CD-R into the CD-ROM of your computer. When AutoPlay dialog box appears, click "Burn files to disc using Windows Explorer." If you have disabled the AutoPlay function, click "Start" and "Computer." Then double-click the disc burner.

2. Enter a name for the CD in the "Burn a disc" dialog box. In this dialog box, also select "Like a USB flash drive" and then click "Next."

3. Find the files you want to burn to your CD. Open the folders in which they reside.

4. Drag the files you want to burn from their original location into the CD-ROM window that you previously opened. The files are automatically burned to your CD. Continue this step until you have dragged all of the files you want to burn into the CD-ROM window.

5. Close the disc session by clicking the "Close session" button located on the tool bar at the top of the screen. This ends your burning session and you won't be able to add or remove files after this step.

6. Eject the disc when you are done burning the data CD.

Audio CD

1. Turn your computer on and insert a CD-R into the optical drive of your computer. When the AutoPlay dialog box appears, close it.

2. Open Windows Media Player by clicking "Start" and then "Windows Media Player."

3. Click the "Burn" tab located at the top of Windows Media Player.

4. Drag files from your library into your "Burn List." The library is located in the middle pane and the burn list is located in the right pane.

5. Click the "Start Burn" button once your list is complete. The audio files will be burned onto your CD-R.

References

• Iu.edu: In Windows 7, Vista, or XP, how do I write a CD?
• Microsoft.com: Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Explorer
• Microsoft.com: Close or finalize a CD or DVD