How to Burn a CD Directly in Windows XP

Unlike older versions of the Windows operating system, which required users to download third party software to burn files to a writable CD, Windows XP comes included with a CD Writing Wizard. To use Windows XP to burn files to CD, you simply drag-and-drop the desired files into a writable CD folder, and then click the "Write these files to CD" button to launch the CD Writing Wizard.

Things You'll Need

• Blank CD

Instructions

1. Insert a blank CD into your CD or DVD drive. Click "Open writable CD folder using Windows Explorer," then click "OK." If you've disabled autorun on your computer, right-click "Start," then click "Explore." Select the CD or DVD drive.

2. Click "Start," then click "My Documents." Resize the window so that both "My Documents" and the writable CD folder are visible.

3. Browse through your list of folders until you locate the files you want to burn to CD. Select each file you want to copy, then, while holding down the "CTRL" key, drag and drop the selected files into the writable CD folder.

4. Click "Write these files to CD." Enter into the "CD name" field a label for the CD or leave it as is. Click "Next" to begin writing the files to CD.

5. Click "Finish" once Windows XP is finished burning the files to your CD.

Tips & Warnings

• Click "View," then "Status Bar" to keep track of the size of the files you are copying to the writable CD folder. The amount of disk space the selected files take up should not exceed the size capacity of the CD.

References

• Microsoft: CD Burning Becomes Routine in Windows XP