How to Prepare a Blank CD for Use

You will need to decide what you are going to store on the CD when you format it.

Placing saved documents, music and video on a CD is a great way to archive and/or transfer valuable computer assets. To be able to burn a CD, you need to format it with your computer system. This process takes a few moments with the Windows operating system prompting you through the steps.

Instructions

1. Insert the CD in your computer's disk drive.

2. Click the "Burn files to disc" in the window that appears.

3. Type a name for the CD in the appropriate field that appears.

4. Click "Show formatting options." Choose between "Live File System" or "Mastered." The "Live File System" option allows you to drag files into the CD and reformat the CD when you want. The "Mastered" option is handy when you are copying an entire music CD and want the CD to be locked after burning to it.

5. Click the "Next" button and the system will prepare the CD.

References

• Windows: Format a CD or DVD