Burn any kind of disc with Windows XP, for free

Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:05PM EDT

See Comments (25)

I've used XP for seven years now and I'm still learning things I didn't know before. This week I discovered that, while XP's built-in CD burning system works well enough, it doesn't support DVDs or any kind of high-definition media. Faced with getting 1.5 gigs of photos from a memory card to a disc, I found myself facing a sudden dilemma.

On my desktop I could have turned to Nero or any other commercial burning application, but I was on the road at the time and didn't have access to the software. Not to mention, should I really have to spend $80 for Nero Ultimate Edition just to burn the occasional DVD? I love Nero, don't get me wrong, but for casual burning needs it's way overkill.

A little Web hunting turned me on to this alternative: CDBurnerXP, a totally free application that will burn data to any kind of optical disc. Not just CDs, but DVDs, Blu-ray, and HD DVD discs, too.

It's less than a 3MB download, installs in seconds, and it's super fast to run. It took six minutes to burn the aforementioned DVD, and the entire process should be completely intuitive to anyone who knows how to copy a file in Windows. I haven't tried all the advanced features, but CDBurnerXP can also create ISO files (commonly known as disc images, which can be used to archive a copy of a disc on your hard drive), burn audio CDs, and create bootable discs, too.

Oh, and it also runs on OSes from Windows 2000 to Vista, not just XP.

Did I mention it's free?

LINK: CDBurnerXP 

Comments on Burn any kind of disc with Windows XP, for free

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  • 6 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Nice utility! Thanks for the heads up on this!

  • 7 Posted by cat21159 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have windows xp, but I don't know what I need to burn a dvd. How do I know if I need additional gear,

  • 8 Posted by darshanmathew on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    lovely interface lovely app size uh. just 1 Q. has any one tried to install cdburnerxp to usb flash drive to see if its a portable app?

  • 9 Posted by tcligon2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Not a bad utility at all, Thanks.. One note, it does require the .NET framework to be installed so if you don't have that, get ready for the 63meg download!

  • 10 Posted by mikehedman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Are you only talking about burning data disks? Anything comparable for video (things that can be played back with a DVD player)? I've tried various flavors of Roxio, and have been very dissatisfied.

  • 11 Posted by somebodys_here on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    OR... you could be a pirate? Get everyting fer free. But NOBODY does that, right? Right? I thought so.

  • 12 Posted by agustin2489 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Another program that works great is ImageBurn. It has a simpler look (smaller size too,

  • 13 Posted by wmtyrancz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've been using CDBurnerXP for a couple of years now. It really is great free software.

  • 14 Posted by paul_soares on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just tried it and noticed it installed a new service called NMSAccess2. This means it runs in the background ALL THE TIME, using up memory and CPU resources, whether you're using CDBurnerXP or not. Bad karma. I did some research on it and it's made by Numedia Soft and it apparently gives non-administrator accounts access to CD/DVD drives. What bothers me about this is that it does so without any warning or consent. My account already has full administrator rights so this is totally unnecessary. Anyway, I removed the service and CDBurner appears to run fine without it but now I have a bad taste in my mouth so it's going bye-bye. I'll stick with Nero. But if you need a free alternative, check out BurnAware Free or DeepBurner Free.

  • 15 Posted by joek872000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Burn4free is another good one, very user friendly, www.burn4free.com

  • 16 Posted by tazygrl72 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    just curious which is better to have on a laptop? Vista or XP? Ive always had Xp but is it easy to change from Vista to XP?

  • 17 Posted by cuteansexy29m on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    dont matter i can never buy a reformat or a reboot disk for an xp anyways.

  • 18 Posted by thisismyname31 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Very cool. I use my metal box to make money, so it's a good thing http://tinyurl.com/2ngp5c (free site to earn some cash)

  • 19 Posted by franpal58 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    tried to get on the website but no luck --- help

  • 20 Posted by larry_e_long@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I HAVE DOWNLOADED CDBURNERYP ALSO.BUT I KEEP GETTING ONE OR TWO SONGS WITH NOISE ALL THRU THEM.ANY THOUGHTS?

  • 21 Posted by cthibodaux@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got Nero Ultra Edition 8 free after rebates from Fry's. Don't know if that's still possible or not. I really like Nero. I've burned DVD's and CD's with no problem.

  • 22 Posted by j_cutler2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'd better stay put with Nero. They are the mainstream cd/dvd burner software. Why compare mainstream OEM programs that come with the hardware with free programs? Free programs programmers are just always out to make quick bucks....think !!!

  • 23 Posted by jdmskeeter@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I do not know about the proffessional users.But I can tell you this the common household user is not even close to mastering the XP and they want to change it already.We are not on the computer 24/7 too master the product.

  • 24 Posted by tlopez103 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Have you tried InfraRecorder Portable is also free. Could you get your opinion about portable applications please.

  • 25 Posted by slimtiger79 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    http://www.acoustica.com/ allows you to burn 10 free cds in cd format & mp3 format before buying..I've owned this software for 5 years and wouldn't consider another program. You can hightech crop the songs as you wish w/ excellent fading/ripping features...The software for purchase is around $35, lifetime..

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