To learn how to create or copy a CD or DVD on your computer, review the sections below.

  • How to find what computer CD or disc drive I have.

Create data and audio CDs

Creating a CD or DVD for files, videos, music, pictures, documents, or other data, is a great way to have a saved backup of those items. Numerous software programs are available today for creating CDs. Below is a short list of some popular programs used to copy, burn, and create audio and data CDs.

You must have a disc drive capable of burning a CD (compact disc) and a blank recordable CD-R (recordable CD-ROM). For example, a CD-RW and DVD-RW are examples of drives capable of burning a CD. A standard CD-ROM drive cannot burn a CD with any software program.

  • CDBurnerXP Pro - Free Microsoft Windows CD and DVD burner software program.
  • Nero - A popular program to create CDs.
  • Alcohol 120% - Another popular and widely used program to create CDs.
  • Easy Media Creator or Toast - Products from Roxio, Easy Media Creator is a widely used Windows computer program. Toast is a popular program to create CDs on Apple Macintosh computers.

Only create audio CDs

If you only need to burn an audio CD to store music, it’s likely you already have a program installed on your computer capable of burning CDs. Below is a list of some commonly used programs to create audio CDs (in addition to those mentioned above).

Because of the many different CD burning programs available, we cannot provide instructions on how to use each one to create a CD. We recommend you search on the Internet or check the software manufacturer’s website for instructions on using the program of your choice.

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 - All latest versions of Microsoft Windows have Windows Media Player installed and can create audio CDs.
  • Apple iTunes - All versions of Apple iTunes for the Mac and Windows computers can burn CDs. If you have this program installed on your computer, you can also create audio CDs.

Other CD burning software

Many programs enable users to create CDs. If you are interested in something other than any of the above solutions, try searching Google.

  • Programs used to rip or copy audio CDs to a computer.
  • How to add more information to a CD-R disc.
  • See our CD-R and CD-RW definitions for further information and related links.
  • Computer CD-R and CD-RW help and support.