Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

If you want to burn data onto a blank CD, the CD needs to be formatted (erase data). The process is relatively easy to do on Windows and completely invisible on OS X. If you have a CD-RW, you can quickly erase any data on it using the format tools. of each operating system.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Windows

1. 

   Insert a blank CD into the computer. If you have multiple optical drives, put it in a writable drive. The AutoPlay window will appear with a list of options.
   • You do not need to format the disc if you are going to burn an audio CD.
   • You cannot format a recorded CD-R, but it can be done with a CD-RW disc.
   • If the AutoPlay message doesn't appear, or you accidentally close it, open Windows Explorer by pressing the key ⊞ Win+E. Double-click on the drive with a blank disc inside.

2. 

   
   
   Select "Burn files to disc". A new window will open with format options.

3. 

   Name the disc. By default, Windows displays the current date. You can change the disc name to whatever you like.

4. 

   
   
   Select the format option. There are two different options depending on how you plan to use the disc. Click the Next button after you have made your selections. Formatting the disk will take up a bit of storage space.
   • "Like USB flash drive" - ​​It uses the Live File System function, and allows you to continue adding files later, as well as editing and recording existing files. This format can only be read by computers with Windows operating systems. This is the best option for a CD-RW disc, as it allows you to burn discs easily.
   • "With CD / DVD player" - When files are burned, the disc is in "Mastered" mode, where the contents of the disc are completed. This is suitable for large numbers of files, or when you need to use the CD on another operating system. This is the best option for CD-R discs.

5. 

   
   
   Record file. After formatting the disc, you can start adding files to burn.
   • If you are using Windows XP, this guide may not be suitable.

6. 

   Delete all data from the CD-RW. If you want to quickly erase the data of a CD-RW file to add new data to it, you can use the Format tool.
   • Open Windows Explorer by pressing the key ⊞ Win+E
   • Right click on CD-RW on your list of drives.
   • Choose Format ...
   • Leave all options as default.
   • Type a new name for the disc if desired.
   • Click the Start button. All data on the CD-RW will be erased. The format will take a few minutes.
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Method 2 of 2: Mac

1. 

   Insert a blank CD. When you insert a blank CD, the system will ask you what you want to do with it. OS X CDs are automatically formatted when you put the disc in recording mode, so you don't need to worry about changing settings. If given the option, open Finder to browse through files. Alternatively, you can open your CD from the icon that appears on the desktop.

2. 

   Add the file you want to burn. Click and drag the files onto the CD icon to add them to the disc. As soon as you are finished adding files, double-click on the CD then click the "Burn" button at the top of the window.

3. 

   Name the disc. After you click "Burn", you have the option of naming the disc and choosing a burning speed. After doing the above options, click on the Burn button. Recording may take several minutes.

4. 

   Erase CD-RW. If your CD-RW is full of data and you want to erase it completely, you can use the Disk Utility program.
   • Press Go and choose Utilities. If you don't have options Utilities, choose Applications then open the "Utilities" folder.
   • Select Disk Utility.
   • Select CD-RW from the list of connected discs.
   • Select the desired deletion speed. You can delete either "Quickly" or "Completely". Most users can choose "Quickly", but if your disc has problems, the "Completely" option can fix them. Full deletion can take up to an hour.
   • Click the Erase button. All data on the CD-RW disc will be erased.
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Advice

• Using a third party program such as Roxio CD Creator or Nero, the CD format process can be much simpler.
• You can reformat a CD-RW as many times as you want because RW is rewritable.

Warning

• CD-R discs can only be formatted once. The files will be on CD or DVD and cannot be deleted.