How to Burn a DVD on Windows 10 (Updated 2025) | Best Methods & Tools

Even though most of us stream movies and store files in the cloud, there are still times when we need to burn a real disc. Burning a DVD on Windows 10 or 11 is simple, since Windows includes a built-in DVD burner for creating data discs and audio CDs, and most safe third-party programs are compatible with Windows 10 for burning video DVDs. In this guide, we'll cover how to burn a DVD on Windows 10 or 11 with both DVD burning software for Windows 10 for movie playback and the tools already built into Windows for data backup.

How to Burn a DVD on Windows 10/11 with Third-party Tools?

According to a Softpedia & TechRadar survey of 5,000 users on DVD burning preferences for Windows 10 reveals that 50% of users prefer using third-party tools such as Nero, DVDFab, and Ashampoo, mainly for their advanced features like menu customization. Meanwhile, 30% of users rely on free alternatives like ImgBurn and BurnAware for basic burning tasks. The remaining 20% use Windows' built-in File Explorer burning feature, primarily for creating data DVDs rather than playable video discs.

✅Suitable Users:

• Users who need high-quality DVD creation with advanced features.
• Users who want full control over DVD-Video encoding, menus, chapters, and subtitles.
• Film creators or business users who burn professional-grade DVDs/Blu-rays.
• Users who need features like Blu-ray burning, 3D video, and advanced authoring.

Burn a DVD on Windows 10/11 with DVDFab DVD Creator

While Windows 10 and Windows 11 do come with inbuilt DVD burning functions, if you want to create a playable DVD with a stylish menu, DVDFab DVD Creator is a better choice. With its extensive feature set including menu customization, wide format support, and fast burning speed, it simplifies the process of burning playable DVDs on Windows 10.

DVDFab DVD Creator

This DVD burner can burn DVD disc / ISO / folder from downloaded videos, videos from camcorders, etc. It also boasts many stylish templates & customized options.

Features:

• Burn DVD on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 and macOS 10.13 - 15.x
• Create standard DVD disc/ISO/folder from 200+ video formats
• Burn videos to DVD in batch with fast speed and high quality
• Select audio tracks, subtitles, or add external subtitle
• Serve as a easy-to-use DVD menu creator for users to customize professional DVD menu
• Built-in editor eliminates the need for additional editing software.
• Auto-synchronize the meta information of the original video
• Support all DVD disc formats (DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL)

How to Burn DVD on Windows 10/11 with DVDFab DVD Creator?

If you wonder how to burn video to DVD on Windows 10, such as iPhone videos to DVD, with this DVD Creator software, just follow the simple guides below.

Step 1: Launch DVDFab DVD Creator and load the source videos.

Run DVDFab 13 and select the Creator > DVD Creator module. Add your video by clicking the Add button on the main page or by simply dragging and dropping the file onto the interface. 

Step 2: Customize your DVD and create a DVD menu.

Once your source video is loaded, you can first select audio tracks and subtitles you want to burn. You can also add external subtitles to your video.

You can also click the Menu Settings to select a free menu templates and customize it, such as adding texts/widget, adjusting the size of the shape, etc.

Once you have configured all the necessary video settings for your DVD project, you can further refine your video using the built-in editor. With this tool, you're able to crop unwanted sections of the video, adjust various video effects such as brightness, contrast, or saturation, and freely add or remove watermarks and subtitles according to your needs.

Step 3: Start burning a playable DVD on Windows 10/11

Select the output directory in Save to Part, and click the Start button to begin burn your DVD on Windows 10/11. This DVD Creator will provide detailed progress information throughout the process. 

Burn a DVD on Windows 10 Using Cisdem DVD Burner

Cisdem DVD Burner is a powerful and simple-to-use DVD burning program for both Windows and Mac. It lets you burn videos to DVDs, make ISO files, and make DVD folders with high-quality output. One of its best features is that you can change the menus on DVDs, edit videos, and support many video formats. This makes it great for making DVDs for both personal and business use.

Many trusted reviews say that the Cisdem DVD Burner is a great tool for Mac users who want to burn DVDs quickly, with good video quality, and the ability to customize the burning process. Users of the Cisdem DVD Burner review on G2 praise how easy it is to use, how well it burns DVDs, and how customizable the menu templates are. Some users, however, complain that it doesn't support Blu-ray.

How to Burn DVD on Windows 10/11 using Cisdem DVD Burner

Step 1: Download & Install

• Get Cisdem DVD Burner for Windows or Mac from the official website .
• Install and launch the software.

Step 2: Add Videos

• Click "Add Video" to import your files.
• Drag & drop videos directly into the interface.

Step 3: Edit Video

• Click the ✏️ Edit button to open the video editor.
• Trim, rotate, crop, add effects, watermarks, and subtitles.

Step 4: Customize the DVD Menu

• Go to the "Menu" tab and select a DVD menu template.
• Customize text, backgrounds, buttons, and music.

Step 5: Preview Your DVD

• Use preview mode to check for last-minute corrections.

Step 6: Choose Output & Burn

• Customize the settings of Cisdem DVD Burner.

💡Pro Tips:

Cisdem DVD Burner offers three burning modes to balance video quality and file size:

• Fit to Disc – Automatically adjusts the compression to fit the video within the available DVD storage.
• High Quality – Prioritizes the best visual output but may require more disc space.
• Standard – A balance between quality and file size, ensuring decent quality while saving space.

If you have enough storage on your DVD, I recommend using High Quality for the best viewing experience. However, if you need to fit multiple videos onto a single disc, go with Fit to Disc for automatic optimization.

• Configure video quality, resolution, and aspect ratio.
• Click Burn and wait for the process to complete.

How to Burn a DVD with a Free Windows 10 DVD Burner?

Burn a DVD on Windows 10 with DVDStyler

DVDStyler is a free, open-source tool for buring DVDs on Windows 10. It's able to burn video files (like MP4, AVI, or MKV) onto DVD discs that work with regular DVD players. The DVDs created with this burner look professional and have custom menus, subtitles, and chapters. DVDStyler is light but strong enough for casual and semi-professional use, so it's a popular choice among Windows 10 users for creating personalized DVDs.

How to Burn DVD on Windows with DVDStyler?

Step 1: Install & Open the Software

• Download DVDStyler from the official website.
• Install and launch the program.

Step 2: Create a new project

Upon launch, choose:

• DVD format: PAL (Europe/Asia) or NTSC (US)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (widescreen) or 4:3
• Bitrate: Use default or lower for longer videos

Step 3: Choose or Customize DVD Menu

• Select a pre-designed menu template or choose “No Template” if you prefer a minimal menu.
• You can edit menu text, background images, and button actions using the menu editor.

Step 4: Add Video Files

• Drag your video files into the timeline at the bottom.
• DVDStyler will automatically convert them to DVD-compatible MPEG-2 format.

You can also:

• Set chapter points
• Add subtitles (.srt) or audio tracks
• Choose menu background, text, and navigational buttons.
• Use menu preview to check before finalizing.

Step 5: Choose Output Format & Burn

• Click the Burn button (red disc icon).
• Choose one of the following options:
  • Burn to DVD directly (choose your DVD drive)
  • Create ISO image (for later burning)
  • Just create DVD folders (VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS)

How to Burn a DVD on Windows 10 with Built-in Software?

Burn a DVD/CD on Windows 10 with Windows Media Player?

Another solution shall be the inbuilt feature of Windows 10 that can burn audio CD, data CD or DVD. Windows Media Player is a digital media playing program developed by Microsoft.

This versatile media player is typically used for playing audio, video, and showing images on computers running the Windows operating system. Some Windows 10 users wonder, "Can I burn a DVD with Windows Media Player?" The answer is yes. Windows Media Player can burn data DVDs and audio CDs, rip audio CDs to MP3, sync content with a digital audio player, and even provide access to online music stores.

Supported File Formats

1. Audio CD: WMA, MP3, and WAV. These files are converted to CDA format during the burning process, allowing them to be played in most CD players.
2. Data CD or Data DVD: Any file format can be added as data files. (Image files like JPEG/PNG/GIF, Audio files like WAV/WMA/MP3）
3. Windows Media Player does not support burning video DVDs that can be played in a standard DVD player.

How to Burn DVD/CD on Windows 10/11 via Windows Media Player？

Step 1. Launch Windows Media Player. If it isn't installed on your computer, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2. Populate your Burn List. Choose the videos, songs and other files you wish to burn, then drag and drop them into the Burn List on the right pane of the Windows Media Player window.

Step 3. Insert a blank DVD into your DVD burner. Make sure it has enough space to accommodate all the files you want to burn. 

Step 4. Organize your Burn List. If you want the files to play in a certain order, arrange the files accordingly. The top file in the Burn List will play first.

Step 5. Choose the Burn Options. Click the Burn options button, which is the text to the right of the Burn tab and then choose one of the following options:

• Data CD or DVD: if you want to burn video file(s).
• Audio CD: if you want to burn an audio CD.

Step 6. Start the burning process by clicking on the "Start burn" button. 

Step 7. Verify the burn. After the burn is complete, you may need to finalize the disc. Also, make sure that the disc plays correctly in the kind of device you burnt it for.

Burn a DVD on Windows 10 with File Explorer

File Explorer is a file management utility included with the Microsoft Windows operating system, which means this method is essentially like burning a DVD in Windows 10 without any software. It provides a graphical user interface for accessing and managing the files, folders, and drives on your computer. Also, it can be used to burn DVDs on Windows 10. 

Steps to Burn a Data DVD on Windows 10/11 Using File Explorer

Step 1: Place a blank DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, or DVD+RW into your DVD drive. Then press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2: In the navigation pane, click on “This PC” to view your drives. Locate and double-click on the DVD drive.

Step 3: A prompt will appear asking how you want to use the disc. You will have two options:

Like a USB flash drive: Allows you to add and remove files like you would with a USB drive. This option uses the Live File System.
With a CD/DVD player: Prepares the disc to be used with standard CD/DVD players. This option finalizes the disc after burning and uses the Mastered format.

Step 4: Select the "With a CD/DVD player" option and click "Next." After adding files into the open File Explorer window, click on the "Drive Tools" tab, then click on "Finish burning."

Step 5: A "Burn to Disc" wizard will appear. Enter a disc title and select the recording speed, then click "Next." It will start burning the files to DVD on Windows10. 

Trouble Shooting

According to the Microsoft Support Community Survey, the most common problem when burning DVDs on Windows 10 is that the disc is not recognized. This issue accounts for about 35% of all cases and usually comes from driver conflicts or hardware faults. Formatting errors (25%) that cause burn failures typically occur when the file systems are incompatible. DVD playback issues represent around 20% of cases. They tend to appear when discs are not finalized or are burned in an unsupported format. Slow burning or freezing accounts for about 12% and is often linked to write speeds set too high or to system limits. Software crashes and missing drivers make up the remaining 8% and add more instability. In the following sections, I’ll take a closer look at each of these problems and how to fix them.

DVDs Are Not Recognized by Windows 10 (35%)

Windows 10 may fail to identify blank DVDs owing to driver difficulties, old firmware, or hardware conflicts.

Solution:

• Check if the DVD drive appears in File Explorer.
• Update or reinstall the DVD driver via Device Manager.
• Use a different type of DVD (DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW) to test compatibility.

Burn Failed Due to Formatting Issues (25%)

Errors occur when the disc is in the wrong format or the burning software doesn't support the selected file system.

Solution:

• Use Mastered format instead of Live File System for better compatibility.
• Ensure the disc is blank and properly formatted before burning.
• Try an alternative burning tool like WinX DVD Author or ImgBurn.

DVD Playback Issues on External Players (20%)

Burned DVDs may not play on DVD players due to format incompatibility or improper disc finalization.

Solution:

• Burn using DVD-Video format, not just as data files.
• Ensure the DVD format matches the player’s region (NTSC or PAL).
• Finalize the disc to make it readable on external players.

Slow Burning Speed or Freezing (12%)

Burning may take too long or freeze due to high-speed settings, hardware limitations, or background processes.

Solution:

• Reduce the burning speed to 4x or 8x for stable results.
• Close unnecessary applications before burning.
• Use high-quality blank DVDs to prevent errors.

Other Issues (Software Crashes, Drivers Missing, etc.) (8%)

Crashes or missing drivers can prevent successful DVD burning in Windows 10.

Solution:

• Update Windows and burning software.
• Check for missing drivers in Device Manager.
• Use a different burning application if issues persist.

Conclusion