Web Analytics


Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista

Windows Vista comes bundled with native DVD and CD burning support. If you are just looking to save your files to a CD or DVD, then this is all the software you need. Forget about Nero, Roxio, Sonic etc–just use Windows! Learn how in this guide.

Archive Your Files on Disc with Windows Vista

To burn your files to a CD or DVD, do the following:

  1. Select the folder you want to burn to disc (you can select more than one folder, or add more later)

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 1

  2. Click the Burn button

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 2

  3. Give the new disc a name
  4. Select Show formatting options and choose which type of disc you’d like to burn. NOTE: If you want to use the disc like a USB thumb drive and keep adding to it, select Live File System. If you want to share the disc with friends or archive it, select Mastered.

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 3

  5. Wait while Windows copies the files over to be burned (no disc writing is taking place yet)

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 4

  6. The disc contents window should pop up. If it doesn’t, open Computer (WINKEY+E) and double click on your optical drive’s icon

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 5

  7. If you would like to add more files, go back to step 1 and repeat. When you have added all your files, click Burn to disc

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 6

  8. Confirm the disc name and write speed and press Next

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 7

  9. Wait for your disc to burn and you’re done.

    Burn CDs and DVDs Natively in Vista 8

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 them.

Free PC tips by email

Search Windows Guides




Comments

21 thoughts on “Use Native CD & DVD Burning in Windows Vista [How To]”

  1. NISMO says:

    …and if you’re looking for completely FREE and powerful CD/DVD and Blu-Ray/HD-DVD burning application you’re welcomed to give a try to the StarBurn from Rocket Division Software. Just in case here’s an URL:

    http://www.rocketdivision.com/starburn.html

    Arigato!

    -ichiro

  2. NISMO says:

    …and if you’re looking for completely FREE and powerful CD/DVD and Blu-Ray/HD-DVD burning application you’re welcomed to give a try to the StarBurn from Rocket Division Software. Just in case here’s an URL:

    http://www.rocketdivision.com/starburn.html

    Arigato!

    -ichiro

  3. NISMO says:

    …and if you’re looking for completely FREE and powerful CD/DVD and Blu-Ray/HD-DVD burning application you’re welcomed to give a try to the StarBurn from Rocket Division Software. Just in case here’s an URL:

    http://www.rocketdivision.com/starburn.html

    Arigato!

    -ichiro

  4. Hillary Martin says:

    Nice site, very clean, lots of content and loved having a look.

  5. Hillary Martin says:

    Nice site, very clean, lots of content and loved having a look.

  6. Hillary Martin says:

    Nice site, very clean, lots of content and loved having a look.

  7. AmZer says:

    keep up the good work!

  8. AmZer says:

    keep up the good work!

  9. AmZer says:

    keep up the good work!

  10. ron says:

    I have tried over and over to use this procedure and all that happens is the disc ejects and says there was a problem with writing.

  11. ron says:

    I have tried over and over to use this procedure and all that happens is the disc ejects and says there was a problem with writing.

    1. Rich says:

      Ron, do you have the latest drivers for your burner? Sometimes a Windows update (amongst other factors) can mess up the burning function. Update your drivers (if they need updating), restart, and let us know how it goes.

  12. ron says:

    I have tried over and over to use this procedure and all that happens is the disc ejects and says there was a problem with writing.

    1. Rich says:

      Ron, do you have the latest drivers for your burner? Sometimes a Windows update (amongst other factors) can mess up the burning function. Update your drivers (if they need updating), restart, and let us know how it goes.

  13. Rich says:

    Ron, do you have the latest drivers for your burner? Sometimes a Windows update (amongst other factors) can mess up the burning function. Update your drivers (if they need updating), restart, and let us know how it goes.

  14. Angie says:

    Thanks for this useful information, Rich. I use the native CD & DVD burning built in Vista all the time. I’ve found it easier to simply go to my music file and burn files from there to CDs instead of using WMP after ripping a CD.

    I’ve also found that using ImgBurn is excellent for writing/ripping and burning DVDS. Thanks for the link to the free software program.

    ron, do you have Nero installed on your PC or laptop? I had Nero, once, and it was very incompatible with my operating system. I uninstalled the software and the problem cleared up in regards to my CD/DVD drive. I called the maker of my laptop and they suggested Roxio Easy CD & DVD Burning for Vista. The program works well for me, but I uninstalled the program when I discovered ImgBurn. It’s much smaller in size.

    It sounds like your drive isn’t recognizing the CDs or DVDs. It may very well be what Rich suggested, which is to update your drivers. If it’s not that, you may need to look online for a decoder for your CD or DVD drive.

    Windows updates can definitely cause problems sometimes, and last year, one of them caused my DVD decoder to be deleted. I had to go online and find a DVD decoder in order to watch DVDs again in WMP.

  15. Angie says:

    Thanks for this useful information, Rich. I use the native CD & DVD burning built in Vista all the time. I’ve found it easier to simply go to my music file and burn files from there to CDs instead of using WMP after ripping a CD.

    I’ve also found that using ImgBurn is excellent for writing/ripping and burning DVDS. Thanks for the link to the free software program.

    ron, do you have Nero installed on your PC or laptop? I had Nero, once, and it was very incompatible with my operating system. I uninstalled the software and the problem cleared up in regards to my CD/DVD drive. I called the maker of my laptop and they suggested Roxio Easy CD & DVD Burning for Vista. The program works well for me, but I uninstalled the program when I discovered ImgBurn. It’s much smaller in size.

    It sounds like your drive isn’t recognizing the CDs or DVDs. It may very well be what Rich suggested, which is to update your drivers. If it’s not that, you may need to look online for a decoder for your CD or DVD drive.

    Windows updates can definitely cause problems sometimes, and last year, one of them caused my DVD decoder to be deleted. I had to go online and find a DVD decoder in order to watch DVDs again in WMP.

    1. Rich says:

      Thanks for your advice Angie

  16. Angie says:

    Thanks for this useful information, Rich. I use the native CD & DVD burning built in Vista all the time. I’ve found it easier to simply go to my music file and burn files from there to CDs instead of using WMP after ripping a CD.

    I’ve also found that using ImgBurn is excellent for writing/ripping and burning DVDS. Thanks for the link to the free software program.

    ron, do you have Nero installed on your PC or laptop? I had Nero, once, and it was very incompatible with my operating system. I uninstalled the software and the problem cleared up in regards to my CD/DVD drive. I called the maker of my laptop and they suggested Roxio Easy CD & DVD Burning for Vista. The program works well for me, but I uninstalled the program when I discovered ImgBurn. It’s much smaller in size.

    It sounds like your drive isn’t recognizing the CDs or DVDs. It may very well be what Rich suggested, which is to update your drivers. If it’s not that, you may need to look online for a decoder for your CD or DVD drive.

    Windows updates can definitely cause problems sometimes, and last year, one of them caused my DVD decoder to be deleted. I had to go online and find a DVD decoder in order to watch DVDs again in WMP.

    1. Rich says:

      Thanks for your advice Angie

  17. Rich says:

    Thanks for your advice Angie

Comments are closed.


Computer tips in your inbox
Sign up for the Windows Guides newsletter to get PC tips and access to free Windows books (More details)

Subscribe now
Popular Guides

See which sites have been visited on your PC (even if private browsing mode is used)

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

Best Free Anti-malware

Hibernate vs. Sleep vs. Shut-Down

i3, i5, and i7; Dual, Quad, Hexa Core Processors. How to they Differ?

Intel's Ivy Bridge Processor: new Features

Windows Guides on Facebook