Burn CDs in XP

A neat feature of Windows XP is that it lets you burn CDs without having to use any additional application. You can burn both data and audio CDs, and it’s so simple that even novice users can do it. Browse to the folder or files you want to burn, and from the folder options on the left-hand side, click the option called Copy files or folder. Then choose the drive letter of your CD Writer. Or, right-click on any file or folder and select the Send to option. From here select the drive letter of your CD Writer. These files aren’t directly copied to the CD, but moved to a temporary storage area, from where they can be burnt later. You will see a message indicating this in your taskbar.

When you are ready to burn, click this icon in your taskbar and a window pops up showing you all the files waiting to be burnt. Now click Write these files to CD, and a wizard pops up asking you to label the CD, after which the CD is burnt. To burn audio CDs, browse to where your song/s are and click on Copy files to audio CD, on the left toolbar. As soon as you do this Windows Media Player opens up, with a list of the files you want to burn. It converts these files to make them suitable for burning on an audio CD. For example, if you select MP3 files, they are automatically converted and then burnt. One limitation with XP burner is that you can’t create bootable CDs nor can you burn from ISO or other image files.