Aug 04 2008
Burn a CD - The Easy Way in Vista
Im going to show you how to backup files from your computer and burn them onto a CD-R or using Microsoft Vista. No need to go out and spend your hard earned cash for a software program when its built right into vista.
Before We Get Started
Windows Vista is defaulted to use the “Live File System” format. This is ok if your not going to use the CD anywhere else as it might not be compatible with other systems. We are going to change from the “Live File System” to the “Mastered” format. This format will make the disc compatiible with just about any CD or DVD player out there.
Lets Get Started
Follow these steps and you will have no trouble. You might want to do a test cd while you go through the directions, so have a blank CD-R available. Also to make it easier make sure all other windows are closed.
Step 1. Insert your blank CD-R media or DVD-R media into your CD/DVD Burner. the following screen will pop up. Click the “Burn Files To Disc”
Step 2. Next this screen will appear. In the “Disc Title” box type in a name for your disc. now click on the down arrow next to “Show Formatting Options”.
Step 3.The following screen will appear. Click the little circle next to “Mastered” and then click on the Next button.
Step 4. an empty disc folder will open. The left side of that window is your computer and the right side is where you will drag the files you want burned to the CD. Also you will notice a little triangle next to your drives ( Like your C: Hard Drive ). You can click the little triange and that will expand to the contents of that drive. Now you can drag over any files or folders you want burned to the CD.
Once you have all your files that you want burned onto the right side of the screen, you will press the “Burn to Disc” button on the toolbar. ( you can see it on the screen below. Its just above where you drag your files to. Its in the long aqua color toolbar.
Step 5.
Once you pressed the “burn to disc” button the following screen will appear. Here you have a chance again to change the name of the disc. Also you can select your burning speed by pressing the little down arrow under the “Recording Speed:”. If you are unsure as to what speed to burn a CD at, it is always safe to select 8X. Now press the Next Button.
Step 6.
you will now see the screen below. Its just getting the disc ready to burn.
Step 7.
Now it will start burning the disc. If all goes well it should finish and you should see the following screen.
Thats it your done!
Stay toned for more helpful “How To” tutorials. Please check back often. And please leave me any comments below.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I am so glad I found this today! I was having issues when I put the disc in, nothing was happening. I figured it out and used your instructions and it worked! Thanks for the article!
August 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
This seems pretty easy after you’ve spelled it out. I don’t have Vista but my son does so I’ll try it out. Very nice step by step! Your way of explaining this is great. Thanks!
August 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I never thought it could be that easy to burn on Vista. I will be using this whenever i need to burn a data cd for now on.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Yes, it does seem very easy, but it lacks many options that “true” CD burning software has. Think of creating a music CD to play it in your car. Or a DVD so you can show it off to your friends. Can you do THAT with the built-in software?
August 6th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Wow! I’m truly amazed that burning a CD on Vista is so easy! I did hear that Vista is good when you do everything on it’s terms, but when you spell it out like this with each step seperatly it makes it a whole lot easier! Thank you!
Savvy_Life
August 6th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Wow! Your blog was awesome and really informative. You just taught me everything so easily! It was definitely reader-friendly..keep it up! And, of course, thanks!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I’m glad you included all the graphics so it will walk us through the process easily and clearly. Very nice and informative post. Thank you.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
This is a very informative post. I am about to get a new computer with Vista. This has made me nervous on several levels. Your post really helps to eliminate one of them. It is always helpful to have the graphics.
August 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Thanks so much for this, I can’t tell you what a problem this has been for me, thanks so much for the easy tutorial, the pictures really helped out ALOT.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Thanks for this step by step tutorial. I will be needing this soon as I need to burn some cds, looks nice and easy to undertsand. Thanks.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Im glad to see someone using the tutorial. It took me a little while to do all the screen captures but in the end I think it was worth it.