Depending on the environment, you may or may not want to allow users to be able to burn CD’s or DVD’s on certain computer systems. Enable or disable CD burning capability in Microsoft Windows 10 with this registry hack.
Option 1 – Registry Setting
- Hold the Windows Key, then press “R” to bring up the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit“, then press “Enter“. This will open the registry editor.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE for all users, or HKEY_CURRENT_USER for the currently logged in user.
- Software
- Microsoft
- Window
- CurrentVersion
- Policies
- Explorer
- Look for a key called “NoCDBurning”. If it does not exist, you can create a new DWORD value under the Explorer folder by performing the following steps:
- Click “Edit” > “New” > “DWORD Value“.
- Name it “NoCDBurning” without quotes. Press “Enter” to save.
- Double-click on “NoCDBurning” and you can set the value to “1” to disable CD burning or set it to “0” to enable it.
Log off the current user, then log back in. The ability to drag and drop files to the CD or DVD drive will be disabled as well as the ability to Format discs.
Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.
Option 2 – Group Policy
- Hold the Windows Key, then press “R” to bring up the Run dialog box.
- Type “gpedit.msc“, then select “OK“.
- Go to “User Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “File Explorer“.
- Open the “Remove CD Burning Features” setting.
- Set the policy to “Enabled” to disable disc burning. Set it to “Disabled” or “Not Configured” to allow disc burning.
FAQ
Does this setting block disc burining via third-party disc burning applications like Nero?
No. This setting is only for the integrated Windows disc burning features.
Chris says
System: Dell XPS 8390 with Windows 10 Pro, OS build 18363
I have had the same problem with file explorer CD options Format and Burn to disk, along with file Copy and Paste, Drag and Drop and Send to options to CD.. Found that the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry entry (Path as above) for NoCDBurning was set as a string (SZ) and not DWord. Creating a DWord entry solved the problem. Reverting to old renamed ‘SZ’ data entry recreated the problem.
Thank you Mitch for this article.
Roy says
This worked for some time but the message is back, each time after burning a CD with Nero. I checked, and both method 1 and 2 settings are still as suggested, and like they’ve been. I’m using the current Windows 10, 10.0.18363.
Dick Blaine says
Did not work for me.
Windows v1909 Build 18362.19h1.
Format does not appear in list, I can create new files on DVD and can copy from DVD to desktop. Can NOT drag from desktop to DVD.
Ivailo Veselinov says
I finally found the right steps. Option 1 works for me. Thank you!
Rab says
Just wanted to say thanks, Microsoft Windows DVD burning is the worst and I would rather go without it.
Sam says
This worked to prevent file explorer from trying to do the initial cd burn, but after burning with Windows Media Player, file explorer still opens and asks to insert another CD. How does that get turned off?????
Danaan says
whoop! Option 1 worked! THANK you!
Thank you says
Thank you!
Lisa says
I installed Kaspersky software and it suggested a change of virtualization in BIOS, which I did. I’m not overly tech savvy but wanted to take all security suggestions. After that my Media Player wouldn’t burn CDs although iTunes still would. I followed Mitch’s “Option 1 – Registry Setting” step and I can now burn CDs in Media Player which I prefer. Took a while to get to this site and had tried other things before but nothing fixed. Thank you!!!!!! (11/21/16)
Peter Brooks says
If I create a USB style CD on another Windows 7 machine, I can still Save As to the CD from Word and the file is written to the CD. I have also tried with Paint and it works. I need a way to stop this.
Rick Johnson says
I have searching for an answer of how to get rid of the “Burn to disc” context menu since I installed Windows 10 (Over a month ago). I found many answers (many supplied by people who had no idea of what they were talking about) and none of them worked, nntil I found this. Many thanks to Mitch Bartlett.
Antonis says
Is there any logging on the data which are burnt on the CD? For example a log file with the name of the files written?