Create data disc with CDBurnerXP

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Create data disc with CDBurnerXP

In this tutorial: How to create data CDs or DVDs with CDBurnerXP in Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7

Last modified: 2011-12-20 22:52:53 EET

Data CDs and DVDs are good for any type of files - you can burn programs or documents or photos, videos, mp3s. If you burn mp3s in data mode, your car or home stereo will play them only if it supports mp3 decoding. The same applies to videos (avi, divx, mpg, etc) - your DVD-player will play them only when decoding of that file type is supported.

When you open CDBurnerXP, you will see Action Selection dialog. Click Data disc and then click OK. Insert your blank CD or DVD now.
CDBurnerXP, main Action Selection dialog. Click Data disc. Then click OK button.

Find the files or folders you want to write to your CD or DVD from top part and drag them using your mouse to the lower part.
To select all files in the folder at once, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+A. To select multiple consequent files, click the first file, then hold down SHIFT key and click the last file. To select multiple non-consequent files, hold down CTRL (Control) key and click the files with mouse.
CDBurnerXP, Data compilation window. To add something to a disc, drag files and folders from top part to lower part.

Every file and folder added will update the Data size bar above Status bar. Make sure not to exceed the red line in Data size bar. Check Remaining Size in CDBurnerXP Status bar to see how much data you can add to the inserted disc.

To rename the disc (default name is just "Disc"), click the Disc on the left once and press F2 key to edit the name. Type the new name and press Enter key to confirm changes.
CDBurnerXP, Data compilation window, Disc name part. To rename the disc, click the default name once. Press F2 key on keyboard, type a new name and press Enter key.

When you are done adding files and folders, adjust Number of copies to the number of discs you want to burn and click Burn button in toolbar above disc contents.
CDBurnerXP, Data compilation window. To start creating the disc, click Burn.

CDBurnerXP will then ask whether to leave disc open for writing some more data later (known as TAO or Track At Once) or finalize the disc so that no data can be added to it later (known as DAO or Disc At Once). The program is capable of setting all settings automatically, depending on the choice you make.
If you are using CD-RW or DVD-RW/DVD+RW, it does not matter much - you can always erase the rewritable disc, so best bet would be to click Finalise disc.
If you are using CD-R or DVD-R/DVD+R, you can click Leave disc open instead - this allows you to add some more files later in case there is enough free space left on the disc.
If you want to specify advanced options, such as writing speed or data verification, click Let me choose advanced settings.
CDBurnerXP, burn disc options. Click Finalise disc if you do not want to add data to the disc later. Click Leave disc open if you want to add data to the disc later.

The advanced settings look like this. Here you can specify Burn speed (use the lowest possible one to make the disc compatible with older CD/DVD drives) or Verify data after burning (to check if the disc was written correctly and all data is readable). All other settings are fine by default.
Click Burn disc to start the writing process.
CDBurnerXP, burn disc, advanced options. Select the lowest possible Burn speed to make the disc compatible with older drives. Activate the Verify data after burning to check the readability of the disc. Finally, click Burn disc.

In case you did not insert a disc, you will see the Disc Required dialog stating Not writable (No disc) in the Present column.

In case the inserted disc is not writable - a finalized CD-R/DVD-R/DVD+R - the Present column will state Not writable (CD-R) or Not writable (DVD-R).
Please insert the writable CD/DVD now.

If there is not enough room on the CD-RW or DVD-RW/DVD+RW you inserted, CDBurnerXP offers to blank the disc and overwrite the contents. Make sure you didn't insert your wedding photos disc or something alike and then click Yes.

No, really make sure you didn't insert a disc with important data on it!
The Fast method is fine in most cases; Secure erase method is required only if your disc contains very confidential data that should never end up in the hands of unwanted people.
If you are sure you want to overwrite the disc, click Erase.

CDBurnerXP will notify you that you are really-really going to erase the contents of the disc.
Click Yes if you are very sure there are no important items on the disc. To avoid the confirmation prompt in the future, put a check mark in the Never ask again box first.

Click OK after the disc has been blanked. To prevent the success message from appearing again, activate the Never tell again option first.

Stand by until CDBurnerXP completes the writing process (sitting is allowed, too ).
CDBurnerXP, burning to media. Stand by until the process is complete.

When everything is complete, CDBurnerXP will display a success dialog.
Click OK. To prevent the success dialog from appearing again, put a check mark in the Never tell again box first.
CDBurnerXP, burning complete. Click OK.

Click Close in Burn Disc dialog if you do not want to burn another disc with same contents. If you want to create another disc with same contents, insert an empty disc and click Burn disc.
CDBurnerXP, burning complete. Click Close.

To close CDBurnerXP, use keyboard shortcut Alt+F4 or click the X button on top right.

CDBurnerXP will ask if you want to save changes to the compilation. Click No if you do not need to re-use this compilation later, or Yes to create the compilation file.
CDBurnerXP, Do you want to save your changes before closing it? Click Yes to save the compilation; or No to exit without saving.