To burn files to a CD or DVD in Windows 10, insert a blank disc, choose With a CD/DVD player in the Burn a Disc window, and select Next. Drag your files into the disc window, then select Drive Tools > Finish burning. For a music CD that plays in a car or stereo, use Windows Media Player instead.
You need a PC with a CD or DVD burner, or an external USB burner, and a blank disc.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Burn files with File Explorer
- Insert a blank CD or DVD.
- In the Burn a Disc window, type a disc title.
- Choose With a CD/DVD player. It burns all the files at once and plays in most players.
- Select Next. An empty disc window opens.
- Drag the files into the window.
- Select Drive Tools > Finish burning, then follow the steps.
Choose Like a USB flash drive instead if you want to add and delete files later. That kind of disc only works on Windows PCs.
If the Burn a Disc window doesn’t appear, open File Explorer, select This PC, and double-click the disc drive.
Burn a music CD with Windows Media Player
- Open Windows Media Player and insert a blank CD.
- Select the Burn tab in the top-right corner.
- Select Burn options, then choose Audio CD.
- Drag songs from your library to the burn list. An audio CD holds about 80 minutes.
- Select Start burn.
Choose Data CD or DVD in the same menu to store many more songs as files. Only players that support those file types can play them.
Burn an ISO file
Right-click the .iso file and select Burn disc image. Pick your burner and select Burn.
Which disc should I use?
- Audio CD: about 80 minutes of music, plays almost anywhere.
- Data CD: about 700 MB of files.
- Data DVD: about 4.7 GB of files.
If burning fails
- The burn stops partway or the disc won’t play. Burn more slowly. In Windows Media Player, open Burn options > More burn options and set Burn speed to Slow. Also try a different brand of disc.
- Burn disc image is missing. Another app has taken over ISO files. Right-click the ISO, select Open with > Choose another app, pick Windows Explorer, and try again.
- The files are too big. A standard DVD holds about 4.7 GB. Use a dual-layer DVD, which holds about 8.5 GB, if your burner supports it, or split the files across discs.
- The disc won’t open on another PC. If you chose Like a USB flash drive, the disc uses a format older players may not read. Burn it again with With a CD/DVD player.
Frequently asked questions
Can Windows 10 make a video DVD that plays in a DVD player?
Not on its own. Windows 10 can copy video files to a data DVD, but a DVD that plays in a TV’s DVD player needs DVD authoring software.
Why won’t my PC burn discs?
Make sure the drive says DVD RW or CD RW, the disc is blank, and the disc type matches your drive. If it still fails, update the drive’s driver. See how to update all drivers on Windows 10.
Can I erase a disc and use it again?
Only rewritable discs, marked RW, such as CD-RW or DVD-RW. Insert the disc, right-click its drive in File Explorer, and select Erase this disc. Discs marked R can only be written once.
Does my laptop need a disc drive?
Yes, or an external USB DVD burner. Most new laptops don’t have a built-in drive, but a USB burner works with Windows 10 without extra software.
To watch a movie DVD instead, see how to play DVDs on Windows 10.
To play a CD after you burn it, see how to play a CD on Windows 10.
To copy songs from a CD to your PC first, see how to rip a CD in Windows 10.
To burn a Windows installer disc, see how to burn a Windows 10 ISO to a DVD.
Microsoft’s guide is Burn and rip CDs. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: copy a DVD in Windows 10.
Related: how to open VOB files on Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.