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How to make a disc image
A disc image is a single file holding everything a disc would. cdBurner builds an ISO from your files (or rips an existing disc) that you can store or burn later.
A disc image keeps everything a disc would hold in one tidy file, with no disc required. cdBurner builds a standard ISO 9660 / UDF image you can archive, send, or burn later — and because it's a standard image, it works in other tools too.
What you'll need
- A Windows 10 or 11 PC with a CD, DVD or Blu-ray writer (internal or external USB).
- Enough free space on your PC for the finished ISO.
- The free cdBurner burn agent — a one-time, 2-second install.
Step by step
Connect the burn agent
Open onlinecdburner.com and connect the burn agent.
Add your files
Choose the files or folder you want in the image.
Choose “Save as ISO”
cdBurner builds a standard ISO 9660/UDF image — no disc required.
Download
Keep the ISO as a backup or burn it to a disc later.
Tips for a clean burn
- An ISO is one portable file — easy to store, send or burn to a disc later.
- cdBurner builds a standard ISO 9660 / UDF image, so it mounts and burns in other tools too, not only this one.
- No blank disc — or even a drive — is needed to make the image; you only need one to burn it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting the ISO to be bootable — an image built from loose files is data, not a boot image.
- Forgetting where you saved the ISO; keep it with your backups.
- Choosing files that exceed your target disc's capacity if you'll burn 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
Do I need to install software to burn discs?
Not a heavy program. cdBurner runs in your browser and only adds a tiny one-time burn agent so the page can reach your drive.
Which disc should I use?
It depends on size: a CD for audio and small jobs, a DVD for video and backups, a Blu-ray for large archives. See CD vs DVD vs Blu-ray.
Is cdBurner really free?
Yes — completely free and ad-supported. No trial, no watermark and no paid tier.