To play a music CD on Windows 10, insert it and open Windows Media Player. Select the CD in the left pane, then select Play. To make CDs play on their own, set Audio CD to Play audio CD (Windows Media Player) in AutoPlay.
Applies to: Windows 10. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, so a PC without Extended Security Updates no longer receives security fixes; that program runs until October 12, 2027.
You need a CD or DVD drive, built in or external.
Play a CD in Windows Media Player
- Insert the CD. If the tray on an HP desktop will not open, try these ways to open the CD drive on an HP desktop.
- Select Start, type Windows Media Player, and open it.
- In the left pane, select the CD. Then select Play at the bottom, or double-click a track.
Make CDs play automatically
- Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > AutoPlay.
- Next to Audio CD, choose Play audio CD (Windows Media Player), then select Save.
If Windows Media Player is missing
Some editions of Windows 10 don’t include it, and it can be removed. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Optional features > Add a feature, find Windows Media Player, and select Install. Windows 10 N editions need the Media Feature Pack from Microsoft instead.
Play a CD with VLC
The free VLC media player also plays music CDs. Open VLC, select Media > Open Disc, choose Audio CD, and select Play. Download VLC only from its official website.
Show album and track names
If tracks show as Unknown album or Track 1, let Windows Media Player look up the details. Press Alt, select Tools > Options, open the Privacy tab, and tick Display media information from the Internet. Then insert the CD again while connected to the internet.
No CD drive?
Most new laptops don’t have one. A USB external CD/DVD drive plugs in and works without any extra software. Windows installs it automatically, and it shows up in File Explorer like a built-in drive.
If the CD won’t play
- The drive doesn’t appear. Check This PC in File Explorer. For an external drive, try another USB port.
- There’s no sound. Check the volume and the output device from the speaker icon on the taskbar.
- The disc skips. Clean it with a soft cloth, wiping from the center out.
- The drive is missing from Device Manager. Select View > Show hidden devices and look under DVD/CD-ROM drives. Uninstall the drive there, then select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- Nothing happens when you insert a disc. Turn on AutoPlay in Settings > Devices > AutoPlay, or open the drive from File Explorer.
- A copied or home-made CD won’t play. Some older players can’t read CD-RW discs. Try another disc to check the drive works.
Frequently asked questions
Can Windows Media Player play DVDs?
Not in Windows 10. You need another app to play DVDs on Windows 10.
How do I copy songs from a CD to my PC?
In Windows Media Player, select Rip CD. The full process is in copying a CD in Windows 10.
How do I make my own CD?
You can burn a CD in Windows 10 without extra software.
Can I play a CD in the Groove Music or Media Player app?
The newer Media Player app focuses on music files, so Windows Media Player or VLC is the reliable choice for playing CDs directly.
Does playing a CD copy it to my PC?
No. Playing only reads the disc. Use Rip CD in Windows Media Player if you want copies of the songs.
Can I play a CD on Windows 11 the same way?
Yes. Windows Media Player Legacy and VLC play music CDs on Windows 11 too.
More about the player is on Microsoft’s Windows Media Player Legacy page.
Related: playing Blu-ray on Windows 10 and playing a DVD on Windows 11.
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.