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How to burn a Tails ISO to a DVD
Tails is a privacy-focused live OS. cdBurner burns its ISO to a DVD as a bootable disc so you can run it on almost any PC.
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 Tails .iso.
- 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 Tails .iso.
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.
- For a bootable disc a moderate write speed is the most reliable; the boot data (El Torito) is preserved for you.
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
Most burning apps are bloated installs full of upsells. cdBurner does the whole job from your browser — free, with no toolbars or trialware.
- 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.
How do I boot from the disc?
Insert it and restart, then pick the drive from the boot menu (often F12) or set it first in BIOS/UEFI. The disc must be burned from a bootable image, which cdBurner does.