DVD burning software: FAQs
How do I install my DVD burning software?
Most software has a simple interface that should be familiar to regular Windows users
If you’ve just bought a new DVD drive you may well have been provided with some bundled software. Pop the installation disc into the drive and follow the instructions.
If you buy a full-price package, you may be provided with an install disc, or you may choose to simply download it from the website. Free software will almost certainly be as a download.
How do I use it?
Many of the software packages have lots of different elements, but at the core you’ll usually find a simple interface that should be familiar to regular Windows users.
You’ll select the files you want to copy to disc, and drag them into an area representing the disc itself. When you’re done, you’ll be able to choose to burn the files to disc – you can expect this process to take a while to complete.
What can I do with my DVD burning software?
You can use this software to simply transfer files to disc, as a backup or for transferring them to another computer. Or, if you have camcorder footage, for instance, you can make DVDs that can be played in a standard DVD player.
Many programs also offer lots of extras allowing you create disc labels, or schedule automatic backups of your files to DVD. The exact capabilities vary dramatically from program to program.
Are the free versions any good?
While they tend to offer fewer features than the paid-for packages, the best free DVD burning software is simple to use and quite capable of handling basic tasks.
Are there any compatibility problems?
If your PC meets the minimum specification to run the software, you shouldn’t run into problems – if you have a working DVD drive your software should recognise it. Make sure you use a disc type that’s compatible with your drive – see our reviews of DVD burners for further details.