In this guide I want to show you how to burn an ISO image file to optical CD/DVD/BR disc in Windows (video guide above also shows how to burn an ISO image in Ubuntu Linux). There seems to be a lot of confusion about this process but it’s pretty straight-forward now-days for Windows 7 and 8, but was difficult in the past in older versions of Windows.

This guide is split into two sections: section one is for Windows 7 & 8 and section two is for Windows XP, 2000, Vista and/or for those of you having trouble with section one.

Tip: A single blank CD will hold a at most 700MB (Megabytes), a single-layer DVD holds 4.7GB (Gigabytes) and a dual-layer DVD holds 8.5GB. A single layer Blu-Ray disc holds 25GB and dual-layer 50GB.

How to burn an ISO image to optical disc

1. Using Windows built-in Image Burner (Win7, Win8)

1. You will need 1 blank CD/DVD/BR disc (-R, +R, –RW, +RW) with the capacity to hold the ISO image
2. You will also need a CD burner (CD-R) , DVD burner (DVDRW) or Blu-ray burner (BDR)
3. Note that DVD-ROM’s will not burn DVD discs, only CD discs
4. Open your CD/DVD burner and insert a blank disc
5. Locate the ISO image and right-click on the file icon
6. You should see a menu item saying Burn disc image, click it. If you don’t see the Burn disc image menu item, skip to part 2 of this guide
7. The Windows Disc Image Burner window should now be open
8. The Disc burner: option should already have your CD/DVD/BR drive selected, if not, click the drop down menu and select it
9. Check the Verify disc after burning check box, then click the Burn button
10. Windows will now burn the ISO image to the recordable disc, this can take up to 7 minutes and verification a further 7 minutes
11. When finished, click the Close button and eject the disc (if it hasn’t already done so automatically)
12. Be sure to label the disk with a marker, then you’re all done!

2. Burn ISO Using ISO Recorder (WinXP, Win2k, Vista)

1. Download & install ISO Recorder from Alex Feinman’s website
2. Open your CD/DVD/BR burner and insert a blank disc
3. Locate the ISO image and right-click on the file icon
4. Click on the Copy image to CD/DVD menu item
5. The Record CD/DVD window should now be open
6. Leave all options at defaults and click the Next button
7. ISO Recorder will now burn the ISO image to the disc, this can take up to 7 minutes
8. When complete, click the Finish button and eject the disc (if it hasn’t already done so automatically)
9. Be sure to label the disk with a marker, then you’re all done!

If you’re still having trouble leave a comment below and I will help you through it.

• Burn a CD or DVD from an ISO file (Microsoft)
• ISO Recorder (Alex Feinman)
• List of recordable/writeable optical disc formats at Wikipedia
• Free ISO Burner (alternative to ISO Recorder)
• Search Google for Burn ISO to disc