How to Write a CD in Windows 7?

Here's how to burn a CD in Windows 7 using the built-in disc burning tool:

1. Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW into your computer's CD/DVD drive. If the Autoplay dialog box appears, close it.

2. Locate the files you want to copy to the CD. These can be documents, photos, music, videos, or any other type of file.

3. Copy the files to a temporary folder on your computer. This ensures all files are in one place before burning.

4. Open Windows Explorer (Windows key + E).

5. Navigate to your CD/DVD drive. It will usually be labeled with a drive letter (e.g., D: or E:).

6. Drag and drop the files or folders you want to burn from your temporary folder into the CD/DVD drive window. Alternatively, you can copy and paste the files.

7. A notification balloon might appear from the system tray stating: "You have files waiting to be written to disc." Click the notification, or right-click the CD/DVD drive in Windows Explorer and select "Burn to disc".

8. The "Burn a Disc" dialog box appears. Give your disc a name in the "Disc title" field.

9. Choose how you want to use the disc:

   • Like a USB flash drive (Mastered): This format allows you to add, delete, and edit files on the CD as needed. It's best for compatibility with newer systems, but might not work on older CD players or DVD players. This method uses the Live File System format.

   • With a CD/DVD player (Mastered): This format burns all the files to the disc at once and finalizes it. Once burned, you cannot add, delete, or edit files. This is the best option for compatibility with older CD players or DVD players. This method uses the ISO 9660 file system (also known as 'Mastered').

10. Click "Next".

11. Windows will now copy the files to the disc. The burning process will start automatically if you chose the "Like a USB flash drive" option. If you chose "With a CD/DVD player," the files will be staged, and you'll need to click "Burn to disc" on the toolbar to begin the burning process.

12. Wait for the burning process to complete. The progress will be displayed.

13. Once the burning process is complete, Windows will eject the disc (if configured to do so). The disc is now ready for use.

Important Considerations:

• CD-R vs. CD-RW: CD-R (Recordable) discs can be written to only once. CD-RW (Rewritable) discs can be erased and written to multiple times.

• Disc Capacity: Standard CDs hold approximately 700MB of data.

• Burning Speed: While faster burning speeds might seem appealing, using a slower speed can often result in a more reliable burn, especially with older drives or lower-quality discs.

• Troubleshooting: If you encounter errors during the burning process, try using a different brand of disc or burning at a slower speed. Ensure your CD/DVD drive is functioning correctly.