This wikiHow teaches you how to burn information, such as music, programs, or files, onto a blank CD. This can be done on both Mac and Windows computers, although you'll need to use a computer with a DVD drive.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Burn a Data CD on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Understand how data CD creation works
If you only want to keep files and folders on a CD, you can burn the files/folders to a CD to save them. Data CDs can't be played, but they can be viewed and opened like any other storage media, such as a flash drive.
- Several types of files that can be burned onto a CD include: photos, videos, and documents.
- If you want to burn music files onto a CD for playability (such as a CD that can be used in a CD player), take a look at how to burn a music CD.
Step 2. Insert a blank CD into the computer's disc drive
Make sure you use a completely blank CD.
- If the CD has been used, erase its contents first.
- You must use a DVD drive. You can find out by looking for the " DVD " logo on or near the drive tray.
Step 3. Open File Explorer
Click the folder icon in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
You can also open File Explorer by pressing Win+E key
Step 4. Select the file location
Click the folder where you want to save the file you want to burn. This folder is on the left side of the window.
Step 5. Select the file you want to burn
Click and drag the mouse over a set of files if you want to select all of them. You can also hold down the Ctrl key while clicking each file if you want to select multiple files.
- If you want to burn a file (such as an ISO), click on the file to select it.
- Most CDs can only hold about 700 mb of files.
Step 6. Click Share
This tab is in the upper-left corner. This will bring up a toolbar at the top of the window.
Step 7. Click Burn to disc
It's in the "Send" section of the toolbar. This will open a new window.
Step 8. Click Burn located at the bottom of the window
The selected file will start burning to the CD.
The process can take a while depending on the size and number of files burned
Step 9. Click Finish when prompted
It's at the bottom of the window. Now you can eject the burned CD from the computer.
Method 2 of 4: Burn a Data CD on Mac Computer
Step 1. Understand how data CD creation works
If you only want to keep files and folders on a CD, you can burn the files/folders to a CD to save them. Data CDs can't be played, but they can be viewed and opened just like any other storage media (such as a flash drive).
- Several types of files that can be burned onto a CD include photos, videos, and documents.
- If you want to burn music files onto a CD so they can be played (such as a CD that can be used in a CD player), take a look at how to burn a music CD.
Step 2. Insert a blank CD into the computer's disc drive
Most Mac computers don't have a built-in CD drive so you'll need an external CD reader to do this.
You can buy an external disc reader from Apple for no more than $90
Step 3. Open Spotlight
Click the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner.
Step 4. Run Disk Utility
Type disk utility into the search field that appears, then double-click it Disk Utility emerging.
Step 5. Click Burn
It's an icon shaped like a radioactive symbol at the top of the window. This will open a Finder window.
Step 6. Select the file location
Click the folder where you want to save the file you want to burn. This folder is on the left side of the window.
Step 7. Select the file you want to burn
Click and drag the mouse over a set of files if you want to select all of them. You can also hold down the Command key while clicking each file if you want to select multiple files.
If you want to burn a file (such as an ISO), click on the file to select it
Step 8. Click Burn in the lower right corner
The Finder window will close.
Step 9. Click Burn when prompted
It's in the pop-up near the top of the Disk Utility window. Clicking on it will start the burning process.
Be patient as the process can take quite a while
Step 10. Click OK when prompted
It's in the lower-right corner. This indicates that the burning process has been completed successfully.
Method 3 of 4: Burn a Music CD on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Insert a blank CD into the computer's disc drive
Make sure you use a completely blank CD.
- If the CD has been used, erase its contents first.
- You must use a DVD drive. You can find out by looking for the " DVD " logo on or near the drive tray.
Step 2. Go to Start
Do this by clicking on the Windows logo in the lower-left corner. This will bring up a menu.
Step 3. Launch Windows Media Player
Type windows media player, then click Windows Media Player that appears at the top of the search results.
- If the Windows Media Player option does not appear at the top of the search results, it means that this program is not installed on your computer.
- Use iTunes if you don't have Windows Media Player installed. Download and install iTunes on the computer, then proceed to the next method.
Step 4. Click Library
This tab is in the upper-left side of the Windows Media Player window.
If Windows Media Player has opened the Music library page, skip this step and the next
Step 5. Open the Music library
Go to category page by double clicking Music. Next, open the list of music files on your computer by double clicking All music.
Step 6. Click Burn
It's in the upper-right corner of the Windows Media Player window.
Step 7. Select the music you want to burn
Hold down the Ctrl key while clicking each song you want to add to the CD.
Usually you can burn between 70 and 80 minutes of music onto a single CD
Step 8. Add the music to the “Burn” tab
Click and drag one of your selected songs to the sidebar of the " Burn " tab on the right side of the window, then drop the song there. All songs that have been selected will be displayed in the " Burn " tab.
Step 9. Click the “Options” icon
This white box with a green check in it is at the top of the " Burn " tab. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 10. Click Audio CD
This option is in the middle of the drop-down menu.
Step 11. Click Start burn
The button is located at the top of the " Burn " sidebar. The selected song will be burned onto a CD.
Step 12. Wait for the CD to finish burning
Your CD will eject when the burning is complete. When the process is complete, you can play it on a CD player (such as a CD player in a car).
Method 4 of 4: Burn Music CD on Mac Computer
Step 1. Insert a blank CD into the computer's disc drive
Most Mac computers don't have a built-in CD drive so you'll need an external CD reader to do this.
You can buy an external disc reader from Apple for no more than $90
Step 2. Launch iTunes
Do this by double-clicking the iTunes icon, which is a colorful musical note on a white background.
Step 3. Select the song you want to burn
Hold down Command (press Ctrl if using Windows) while clicking each song you want to add to the CD.
- Most CDs can hold between 70 and 80 minutes of music.
- Maybe you should click the tab Songs to display a list of songs in iTunes before you can select them.
Step 4. Click File in the upper left corner
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 5. Select New which is in the drop-down menu files.
A pop-out menu will be displayed.
Step 6. Click Playlist from Selection in the pop-out menu
A new playlist will be created containing all the selected music.
You can name the playlist by typing its name and pressing Return before continuing
Step 7. Click File in the upper right corner
A drop-down menu will be displayed again.
Step 8. Click Burn Playlist to Disc
This option is in the drop-down menu File. A pop-up window will be opened.
Step 9. Check the "Audio CD" box at the top of the pop-up window
Step 10. Click Burn at the bottom of the window
The computer will start burning the song you selected onto the CD.
Step 11. Wait for the CD to finish burning
Your CD will eject when the burning is complete. When the process is complete, you can play it on a CD player (such as a CD player in a car).
Tips
- Always use a new, good quality CD when you burn files.
- You can burn CDs using various applications, such as iTunes.
- "Burn" data files onto a CD is basically the same as copying files and pasting them onto a CD, while creating an audio CD is a process that requires special software.
