Windows 7 Disc Burning Options – Which To Choose?

When you insert a new blank CD or DVD in Windows 7 and attempt to write files to it for the first time, you see this:

The two options are "Live File System" and "Mastered".

But which to pick?

Live File System

This is a UDF (Universal Disk Format) file system and is optical media specific.

The single largest issue with Live File System is that in order for a PC to read it, the OS must support it. Where it says "running Windows XP or later", that’s something you do have to pay attention to because older Windows OSes will not recognize the disc with that format.

If however you intend to use a CD/DVD "like a USB flash drive" as stated above, then Live File System will serve you well. However if what you write to disc is intended to be used in different PCs – especially if you’re burning a disc for somebody else – don’t use it.

Mastered

Using Mastered instead of Live File System is the most likely the way you’ve always burned CD/DVDs. Once data is written to the disc, it cannot be edited or removed.

The Mastered format ensures maximum compatibility and will work in nearly any computer.

When in doubt, always use Mastered. It eliminates any confusion as to whether what you write to disc will work in other PCs besides yours.

Like what you read?

If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:

David Kennedy
Good post. Same happens with Vista (though with a slightly different prompt). Not sure if true in 7, but in Vista you can say “don’t prompt again”, which is an “oops” if you pick the wrong one the first time.
http://www.newappletech.com/category/apple-tablet/ Apple Tablet
Thanks for the info. I’m think of buying windows 7 and I burn a lot of cds. this could come in handy.
http://www.americanrecordablemedia.com/ Buy Blank CD
Great information! Thank you for sharing this.