How to Copy Hard Drive Software to a CD

A CD can store a computer software program for archiving or use.

A CD disc can hold information that has been burned onto it from a computer's CD/DVD drive. Copying a software program from the computer's hard drive does not require using a third-party program, because the computer's operating system has the procedure built in. All that is needed to copy the software with, is a blank CD; you can legally make the copy provided that you own the software that is being copied.

Things You'll Need

• CD/DVD drive
• Blank recordable CD

Instructions

Mac Instructions

1. Press the "Eject" key on the keyboard to open the CD/DVD's disc tray. Place a blank recordable CD on the disc tray. Press the "Eject" key on the keyboard to close the disc tray.

2. Wait for the icon of the blank recordable CD to appear on the computer's desktop.

3. Double-click on the computer's hard drive to open its window on the desktop. Scroll down to the computer software program that you want to copy to the CD.

4. Double-click on the icon of the CD. Drag the computer software program into the CD's window that is on the desktop. Wait as a progress bar documents the copying of the computer software program to the CD.

5. Drag the icon of the CD onto the Trash can at the left or bottom of the screen. Let go of the CD's icon when the Trash can's icon changes into a "Burn" icon.

6. Click "Yes" on the confirmation window that appears. Wait as the CD is burned with the computer software program.

7. Press the "Eject" key on the keyboard to open the CD/DVD's disc tray. Place a blank recordable CD on the disc tray. Press the "Eject" key on the keyboard to close the disc tray.

PC Instructions

1. Eject the disc tray of the CD/DVD drive. Place the blank recordable CD onto the disc tray. Close the disc tray.

2. Wait for the icon of the blank recordable CD to appear on the computer's desktop.

3. Double-click on the computer's hard drive to open its window on the desktop. Scroll down to the computer software program that you want to copy to the CD.

4. Go to the start menu and select "MyComputer" and then "Devices." Select the icon of the CD from the list of choices in the left column of the window that is now onscreen.

5. Drag the computer software program into the open column to the right of the CD's icon.

6. Right-click on the CD's icon. Select "Properties" from the pop-up menu. Select "Burn" from the list of choices presented in the window that appears.

7. Wait as a progress bar charts the progress of the burning of the CD. Close the window when the burning is completed by pressing the red "X" button in the upper right corner.

8. Eject the disc tray of the CD/DVD drive. Remove the CD from the disc tray. Close the disc tray.

Tips & Warnings

• A software program that is larger than the CD's storage capacity cannot be copied unless multiple CDs are used.

References

• Apple: Support: Mac OS X: About Burning Data Onto CDs

Resources

• PCGuide: CD Capacity