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How to Write (Burn) a DVD in Windows 10

Published in DVD burning in Windows 10 5 mins read

To write (burn) a DVD in Windows 10, you can use the built-in features within File Explorer.

Windows 10 provides a straightforward way to burn files and folders onto a blank DVD using File Explorer, without needing third-party software. This process allows you to create a data DVD for backup or transfer.

Here's how to burn a DVD using Windows 10's native tools:

  1. Insert a blank DVD: Place a blank, writable DVD (like DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, or DVD+RW) into your computer's DVD burner drive.
  2. Choose how to use the disc: A pop-up window might appear asking what to do with the blank disc. Select the option to "Burn files to disc" using File Explorer, or close the window and proceed to the next step.
  3. Open File Explorer: Navigate to the files and folders you want to burn onto the DVD.
  4. Select and send files: Select the desired files and folders. You can do this by clicking and dragging to select multiple items, holding Ctrl while clicking individual items, or pressing Ctrl+A to select everything in a folder. Once selected, right-click on the selected files/folders and choose "Send to" > "DVD RW Drive" (or the name of your optical drive).
  5. Prepare the disc: Alternatively, you can right-click on the optical drive's icon in File Explorer itself, and select "Burn To Disc."
  6. Use the "Burn To Disc" wizard: Regardless of whether you sent files or right-clicked the drive, a "Burn To Disc" wizard will appear.
    • You will be asked to enter a title for the disc. Choose a descriptive name (e.g., "Photos Backup 2023").
    • You can choose between two disc formats:
      • Like a USB flash drive: Files are copied individually, and you can save, edit, and delete files on the disc multiple times (requires CD-RW or DVD-RW disc). Compatibility might be limited.
      • With a CD/DVD player: Files are burned all at once, and the disc is finalized. Files cannot be changed afterwards (works with most CD/DVD types and players).
    • Select the format you need and click "Next."
  7. Add files to the burning list: If you chose the "Like a USB flash drive" format, the drive will open like a folder, and you can drag and drop files into it. If you chose "With a CD/DVD player" (which is standard for creating data DVDs compatible with most devices), the files you selected earlier will be waiting in a temporary folder.
  8. Start the burning process: If you chose "With a CD/DVD player" format, the files will be in a temporary area. In File Explorer, with the optical drive folder open showing the "Files Ready to Be Written to the Disc" area, click on "Drive Tools" in the ribbon menu at the top, then select "Finish burning."
  9. Finalize burning options: The "Burn To Disc" wizard will reappear. Confirm the disc title and select recording speed. It's usually safe to pick the highest speed possible unless you encounter errors or are burning audio/video for older players, where a slower speed might be preferred.
  10. Burn the disc: Click "Next" to start the burning process. Windows will show a progress bar as it writes the data to the DVD. This can take several minutes depending on the amount of data and the burning speed.
  11. Disc is ready: Once complete, the disc will typically be ejected, and you can now use it in other computers or compatible devices.

Summary of Steps:

Step Action Detail
1. Insert Disc Place a blank DVD in the burner. Ensure it's a writable format (R/RW).
2. Add Files Select files/folders & "Send to" DVD drive, OR Use File Explorer.
3. Open Wizard Right-click drive in File Explorer & select "Burn To Disc". Wizard appears for title and format.
4. Choose Format Select "Like a USB flash drive" or "With a CD/DVD player". Player format is standard for compatibility.
5. Finalize Burn (For Player format) Click "Finish burning" under "Drive Tools". Or the wizard appears after adding files.
6. Burn Enter title, select speed, click "Next". Highest speed is usually fine.
7. Complete Wait for process to finish. Disc is ejected when done.

Using this method ensures your data is correctly written to the DVD using the tools built into the Windows 10 operating system.

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