How to Copy a Computer Program to CD

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Image Credit: Disk in the drive image by Sergey Galushko from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

It is not possible to copy a program already installed on your computer to a CD. However, if you have the installation CD, it may be possible to copy that, depending on the program,. Some program CDs block this, but for those that don't, the process is simple.

Advertisement

Step 1

Create a folder on your desktop and name it something you will remember.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Insert the program CD and ignore any Autoplay options your computer offers. Go to My Computer, then right-click the icon that represents your CD drive.

Advertisement

Step 3

Click on "Explore." Windows Explorer should display the folders and files that are on the CD. Select all of the folders and files by clicking and dragging your mouse over all of them.

Step 4

Hold down "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the folders and files. Open up the folder you created on your desktop and hold down "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the files and folders. It should take a few moments for the files to transfer; if the files appear instantaneously, they may have not copied correctly. You may have to try a burning program to accomplish this task.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 5

Eject the program CD. Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW. If Autoplay offers an option to "Burn files to CD," click it. If not, go to My Computer and double-click the CD icon to open it.

Step 6

Highlight all of the files in the desktop folder you created, then use "Ctrl" and "C" and "Ctrl" and "V" again to copy and paste them into the CD window. An option should appear in the left sidebar to "Burn files to CD;" click that to begin burning.

Advertisement

Step 7

Eject the CD when it has finished burning. To test the CD, place it back into the computer (or into another computer) and see whether you can run the program installation process.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...