Burn an ISO to a CD or DVD [How To] [Updated]

By Rich on June 19, 2012 (407 Comments)

An ISO image is an archive file of an optical disc, which contains all of the contents of the optical disc it represents. ISO files are useful because you can archive a bootable disc (see examples below) and distribute it to users to burn and use locally.

Examples of useful ISOs:

Burn an ISO in Windows 7 or Newer

To burn an ISO to a disc:

1. Open Windows Explorer (Winkey+E) and browse to the folder with your ISO file

2. Click the file and click Open > Windows Disc Image Burner:

3. Optionally check Verify disc after burning and Click Burn:

Burn an ISO in Windows Vista or XP

To burn an ISO to a disc in Windows Vista or XP:

1. Download ImgBurn

2. Install ImgBurn (Full installation)

3. Open ImgBurn and click Write image file to disc

4. Click the Browse for file icon

5. Locate the ISO file and click Open

6. Select the destination drive and click the Write icon:

Note: I recommend verifying the disc with ImgBurn by checking Verify

7. ImgBurn will now create your disc

Optionally, verify your DVD works before booting from it by going to Computer, double clicking on your optical drive’s icon, and ensuring files are available on the disc

Last Updated: June 19th, 2012

2012/06/19 — Updated ImgBurn screenshots and added native ISO burning details

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Comments

Tigers7493
going through the boot menu before windows comes up. The problem is the setup.exe file due it has no icon or correct image icon to install it. I need the image icon but ISO wont show it when I burn it to dvd.
Ross Jermone
ok im building a pc can i do this on my laptop that has windows 7 and put it on the pc im building to awnser email me at( @ )
http://richr.org/ Rich
Yes
Ruhul555
what kind of disc should i burn it to? im asuming that it doesnt matter about the '+' or '-'.
http://richr.org/ Rich
I recommend DVD+R but, if your burner will burn to -R, that's just fine also.
Lor
Hey, I burned the 64 bit version but when trying to verify it like in step 10 I get an error saying my current Windows version is not compatible with the version of this file (I'm running Vista 32 bit). Is it still safe to install it?
http://richr.org/ Rich
The setup wont let you install 64 bit Windows “over” a previously-installed Windows 32-bit installation. The disc is likely working but you will need to do a clean install to use 64-bit.
Li
I’ve got a copy of Windows 7 ISO on my laptop, its working fine in Virtual Box however every time i’ve tried to burn to disc it errors, it will burn to 100% but tells me it cant be completed. Ive used different discs, different machines and different programmes (including above) but cannot get it to work. I also tried putting it onto usb but when i try to boot it says ‘no os selected’ or something along those lines.
I really hope someone can help me because Vista is killing my machine
- http://richr.org/ Rich
  Hi Li. To save you from pulling your hair out, I recommend you try re downloading the Windows 7 ISO (from wherever you obtained it previously.) The fact that you’ve tried different machines and burning software eliminates those (to a degree) from the equation.
Samast
Do we need a big DVD? Like a DVD, that can hold 3 GB? Is it possible, or is a 250 MB DVD, okay? Because I have that.
- http://richr.org/ Rich
  You’ll need a standard, unused 4.7GB DVD.
Abdul
Good and fantastic way of burning iso dvd.Thank u Mr Rich.
http://richr.org/ Rich
I no longer send DVDs as the Beta/RC has expired.
Nitrix
Hi this is a good guide, i recently downloaded a ISO of both W7 32 and 64 bit. The reason i got these was because i had built a computer and needed an OS ^.^ anywayz ive burnt 2 discs both 64 bit (4gb RAM ON an i7 870 shold be 64bit) anyway ive burnt it and on launch ive changed BIOS to launch from CD/DVD anyway it goes to Loading Operating System
Boot From CD/DVD:_ and stays there :3 what can i do please >.>
- http://richr.org/ Rich
  From what source do the ISOs come? I recommend this source: http://forum.mintywhite.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=5865
  Try the disc in another computer (it won’t change anything so any computer will work.) If it still doesn’t work, re-burn the disc at no greater than 2x speed.
Urban Zaloznik
i burn my iso file on dvd, but then i put my dvd into computer and it shows me that there is no file on it…i tried to write on it again, but programs for burning shows that there is a file on dvd… help please?
stanko
Thanks people ;)
http://richr.org/ Rich
Email support is not offered on Windows Guides but we have a very friendly and helpful crowd on Windows Forums: http://forum.mintywhite.com
Spoonware
i did the same .. but when i put the disk on to my DVD rom .. nothing displayed “Press any key”
its just plain underscore blinking .. burnt the image at a speed of x1 also did burnt it as image
from win7.iso and nothing happened
Ssiinnggeerr
I burned windows 7 tested it but hwwen i put it on my Xp computer nothing happened steup did nto go up
- Stu
  @99228b158beffabbecd0f9cfa1b35a95:disqus You’ll receive better support if you open a new topic in the [a href="http://forum.mintywhite.com/index.php"]forums[/a].
  Off the top of my head though; did you set your BIOS to boot from the DVD first? Can you boot the DVD on another PC? Could it be a case of bad media (ie re-burn the disc and try again)? [a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/upgradeadvisor"]Can your hardware run Windows 7?[/a]
Milio_todorov
dali shte stane da go botna momcheta az sam milyo koito pita
Ethan9020
Thanks Rich! I was able to run the setup and everything! Thanks!
Maryam
I guys,
I wanted to upgrade my system to windows 7 through custom installation. I have the windows 7 operating system on my laptop, but when I finish downloading it and I want to open it, it tells me tries to burn it on a CD for me, using nero. I have burned it on a DVD and now I can’t get it to open. It tries to burn it again for me…what do I do?
Your advice would really be appreciated.
- http://richr.org/ Rich
  I assume you have an ISO file. Did you follow the instructions, using Img Burn, not Nero, above?
Adi
I have a windows 7 file downloaded from pirate bay. The file size is 3.4 GB but there is only a .txt file. The file is an ISO file and i am really worried as it took a lot of my bandwidth !!! Pls help me.
http://richr.org/ Rich
Here are the links: http://forum.mintywhite.com/viewtopic.php?t=5865
Giselle
I was able to create the DVD successfully however getting it to work on my pc is another story. When I select Custom (advanced) install – I get an error code: 0xE0000100.
This is a PC that is just weeks old. Was running Windows 7(64bit) until my USB’s all stopped working. Did not receive a cd with my drivers (only one cd for the Monitor) and no Windows 7 cd so I made the mistake of trying to do a clean install of Vista 32bit from a cd that came with my laptop.
Upon discovery of this post I immediately went and bought some DVD+R DL and followed this wonderful tutorial. Now I know my issue has something to do with the drivers but I can’t possibly figure out a way to burn and load them – I tried. I’m working with a 1TB 7200 RPM SATA hard drive.
I checked the forum but I’m unable to find a solution.
Please help – I wanna cry.
Demetris
That was very helpful thanks a lot. It warks for me.
Oldirtybangz
How big of a DVD do you need?
http://twitter.com/brainscooper shankar
A simple alternative would be to use the Windows 7 UBS DVD Download tool from http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool
This allows you to create a bootable DVD or a bootable USB drive with a few simple clicks.
http://richr.org/ Rich
A Windows 64-bit transition from 32-bit requires a clean install. In other words, 32-but cannot be upgraded to 64.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1218245755 Christian Del Rosario
“I’ve tried to burn the ISO to a DVD-RW using Alcohol 120%, PowerISO & ISO Burner all unsucessfully.”hi, i’m not sure why, some years ago, i tried to burn a ps2 game using DVD-RW (thinking i might burn another game afterwards) and it did not work. then i tried doing it again using just DVD-R (not RW) and it worked. i just used nero everytime i burn cds or dvds and everything is ok with nero.it’s probably the dvd format that you used? but i hope the solution worked for the user, because i’m gonna burn a windows 7 installer as well. I think im gonna use a simple dvd-r.
lara
This one worked in my laptop with boot and hibernate problem. Thanks to this,i can now use my laptop again.
yvonne
what kind of disc should i use. it is telling me that i don’t have enough space using DVD-R 4.7
Anonymous
what kind of disc should i burn this on. i have DVD-R 4.7 Which gives me 2 hrs, but ImgBurn tells me there is not enough space
- Uvais
  Yes ! DVD-R 4.7 GB will work (You also make a boot-able USB) and Normally It takes few minutes AND If you are using Windows 7 than you Don’t need to use any Other Burning Software .
Fahad_shallal
thanks, works ! :)
http://richr.org/ Rich
The Windows 7 the disc is bootable.
1. Insert your bootable repair disc
2. Reboot your PC
3. When your BIOS is loading (if you have a brand-name PC, this is usually when you can see the brand’s logo), press the key that loads the boot options menu (this is usually displayed as an option on the screen and is typically the ESC/F8 key)
4. Arrow down to “CD-ROM Drive” / “DVD-ROM Drive” / “Removable Media” / “USB Media” and press Enter
http://123seminarsonly.com/Computer-Tips.html 123seminarsonly.com
Can we use this password reset disk in any computer?
Mitchell Rathbone
auuugghhh i dont have enough space on my cd, in can only hold 700mb not 3.1gb?!! is there any point downloading the iso if i cant copy it to my disk?

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