How to RIP DVDs Using Windows DVD

Copying a DVD on a PC for archiving is a straightforward process.

The Windows operating system can read a DVD that has been placed into its disc drive but is unable to make a copy of it for archiving purposes. You can copy, or “rip,” your legally owned DVD disc on a PC using a Windows DVD-copy program. There are a number of copy programs available for PC users, with many freely distributed or free on a trial basis. Ripping a DVD to the PC’s hard drive will not cause any harm to the DVD or the Windows operating system.

Instructions

1. Download a Windows DVD-copy program to the PC’s desktop--for example, the free ImgBurn or the free trial version of Magic DVD Ripper (see the links in Resources). Double click on the file when downloaded. Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the computer’s hard drive. Restart the PC.

2. Launch the Windows DVD-copy program by selecting it from the “Start,” “All Applications” pop-up menu.

3. Press the “Eject” button on your optical-drive tray. Place the DVD that is to be ripped onto the ejected disc tray. Press the “Eject" button to close the disc tray.

4. Press the “Cancel” button when a query pop-up window appears, to make it go away.

5. Click on the ‘Create Image from disc” or “Copy DVD” on the Windows DVD-copy program’s main screen.

6. Click the “Browse” button next to the “Destination” or “Output file” tab on the new window that appears.

7. Navigate to the desktop in the window to appears. Select the desktop by double clicking on it. Name the file that will be ripped from the DVD in the “Name” column at the top of the window.

8. Press the “Save” button to close the window and return to the previous window, which has the “Browse” button on it.

9. Click the “Start” button or the icon of a DVD at the bottom of the window. Wait as a progress bar appears at the bottom of the window and fills up from left to right.

10. Quit the Windows DVD-copy program once the progress bar completely fills up and you are returned to the Windows DVD-copy program’s main screen. Press the “Eject” button on the optical drive. Remove the DVD from the ejected disc tray. Press the “Eject" button to close the disc tray.

Tips & Warnings

• Blow off the DVD with compressed air before putting it into the PC's DVD drive.

• Do not copy a DVD that you do not own.

References

• elliotback:How To Rip A DVD: A Tutorial
• YouTube: How to make a copy of a DVD

Resources

• magicdvdripperL Magic DVD Ripper
• ImgBurn: The Official ImgBurn Website