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How to burn an ISO to a DVD-R
DVD-R is the most compatible recordable DVD, so it's the safe pick for a bootable ISO. cdBurner writes the image to a DVD-R from your browser.
An ISO file is a single-file snapshot of an entire disc — its files, its layout and any boot data. To use it you don't copy the file onto a disc; you burn the image, which recreates the original disc sector for sector. That's why a properly burned ISO can boot a PC or install an operating system.
What you'll need
- A Windows 10 or 11 PC with a CD or DVD writer (internal or external USB).
- A blank disc big enough for the image — a single-layer DVD holds 4.7 GB and a dual-layer DVD 8.5 GB.
- Your .iso (up to 4.7 GB).
- The free cdBurner burn agent — a one-time, 2-second install.
Step by step
Connect the burn agent
Open onlinecdburner.com and make sure the burn agent is connected (install it once if needed).
Insert a blank disc big enough for the image
Match the disc to the image size — a CD for small images, a DVD for up to 4.7 GB, a Blu-ray for more.
Choose “ISO image”
Select your .iso (up to 4.7 GB).
Burn the image
cdBurner writes it sector-for-sector so the disc is bootable/readable exactly as intended. Keep Finalize on.
Tips for a clean burn
- Write the ISO as an image, never as a file copy — only an imaged disc boots or behaves like the original.
- Match the disc to the image: a single-layer DVD holds 4.7 GB and a dual-layer DVD 8.5 GB. cdBurner shows the fit before you start.
- Leave Finalize on so the disc is closed and reads everywhere.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Copying the .iso onto the disc as a file instead of writing the image — the disc won't boot.
- Choosing a disc that's too small for the image.
- Burning a bootable disc at maximum speed on cheap media, which can corrupt it.
Why cdBurner is different
cdBurner reinvents disc burning: a clean web app that drives the optical drive on your own machine. Nothing else works this way.
- 100% free — no trial, no watermark, no nag screens.
- Private — files are written locally and never uploaded to a server.
- No bloatware — one small signed helper, not a heavy install.
- Built on Windows' native IMAPI2 engine, so your discs read everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Will the burned disc be bootable?
If the ISO is a bootable image, yes — cdBurner writes it sector-for-sector and keeps the boot data intact, so the disc boots exactly like the original.
Can't I just copy the ISO file onto the disc?
No. Copying the .iso as a file gives you a disc with one file on it. You must burn the image so the disc becomes what the ISO represents.
What size disc do I need?
For this job, a single-layer DVD holds 4.7 GB and a dual-layer DVD 8.5 GB. cdBurner shows whether your image fits before you burn.
Is cdBurner really free?
Yes — completely free and ad-supported. No trial, no watermark and no paid tier.