虽然 Microsoft 的Windows 11操作系统具有Windows Media Player形式的基本 CD 和DVD刻录应用程序，但它仅适用于偶尔需要刻录 CD 或DVD的人。如果您经常需要新刻录的光盘，最好选择这些最好的免费 CD 和DVD刻录机软件包之一。
光盘的消亡很快，大多数计算机甚至不再标配光驱。尽管如此，如果您可以将当前的数字内容转换为物理形式，那么仍有很多旧设备可以正常工作。
警告！注意PuP(Out)（可能不需要(Potentially Unwanted Programs)的(PuPs)程序）
本文重点介绍 CD 和DVD刻录软件，但“免费”几乎总是带有另一种付款方式。有时是应用内广告，这通常是可以接受的。然而，另一种越来越普遍的策略是在免费应用程序的安装程序中包含其他软件。
本质上，其他应用程序的开发人员向免费应用程序开发人员支付费用或佣金，以将他们的软件潜入安装过程。如果您停下来阅读安装向导的每个窗口，您会注意到它的拼写很清楚，但大多数人只是尽可能快地单击安装程序。
由于这是在“选择退出”的基础上工作的，您可能会允许这些应用程序在没有意识到的情况下安装。这些应用程序通常不会上升到恶意软件级别，但它们可能包括浏览器劫持程序、广告软件和其他您可能不想要的顽固和烦人的程序(annoying programs you probably don’t want)。
由于软件中PuP(PuPs)的存在（例如我们在下面重点介绍的应用程序）不断变化，因此最好只注意安装过程，并确保取消选择任何试图搭载安装程序的应用程序。
重要的 CD 刻录机功能
每个光盘刻录应用程序都应具有一些关键功能。它应该有一个简单的界面，可以清楚地说明您正在创建什么类型的光盘项目。如果您想将视频刻录到光盘以在机顶盒播放器中使用，请确保该应用程序可以理解您使用的格式，例如MOV、WMV或AVI文件。否则，您将不得不使用专用的视频转换应用程序来同质化您的媒体。
创建或读取ISO 文件(ISO files)的能力也值得关注。这允许您创建用于虚拟磁盘驱动器的磁盘映像。即使您只有一个驱动器，它也可以快速复制光盘。
有些功能更小众，并不是每个人都需要它们。例如，擦除DVD-RW光盘的能力可能不再那么重要了。跨越多个数据 CD 的文件只会吸引特定的备份用例。
最后，我们避免了纯试用软件，例如DVD Creator或Nero Burning ROM。这些应用程序可让您在试用期内刻录光盘，之后您必须付费才能继续使用该应用程序。这与我们在此列表中包含的具有较少功能的免费版本的应用程序不同。
顾名思义，CDBurnerXP最初是在Windows XP时代创建的，但它通过Vista、Windows(Windows 7) 7、8、8.1、10 以及现在的 Windows 11 保留下来，仍然是人们最喜欢的刻录解决方案。
CDBurnerXP 的功能列表几乎涵盖了您通常想要使用光盘刻录软件进行的所有操作。它不仅限于刻录 CD 和DVD(DVDs)，还支持蓝光(Blu-Ray)光盘。
您可以创建可引导光盘和MP3光盘。对于发烧友来说至关重要的是，您可以从(Crucially)MP3、WAV、OGG、WMA和Apple 无损(Apple Lossless)文件等格式制作无缝 CD音频。(Audio)值得注意的是，您既可以从ISO光盘映像刻录光盘，也可以从光盘创建光盘映像。如果您有 BIN 或NRG映像，CDBurnerXP可以将它们转换为ISO映像。
关于这个应用程序，我们唯一可以说的不是完全积极的是它保留了与Windows XP时代相同的外观，但这对你们中的某些人来说甚至可能是一件好事！
Ashampoo 的软件是付费高级软件包的免费版本。虽然 Burning Studio Free只有一部分功能，但您会在付费版本中找到它。大多数用户会对所提供的内容感到满意。
最重要的是，这是最容易访问的刻录应用程序之一。因此，如果您对正确刻录光盘的能力不是特别有信心，Burning Studio Free可以做得很好。它列出了大多数人想要解决的不同类型的光盘项目，同时非常适合初学者。
唯一轻微的烦恼是您必须为该软件的免费版本申请许可证密钥，这意味着提交您的电子邮件地址。如果这对您来说是个问题，请使用刻录机帐户。(burner account)
BurnAware的免费版本将其简化为 CD 刻录的基础。您可以刻录数据光盘、制作副本、创建音频 CD、MP3光盘和视频DVD(DVDs)，并且它允许蓝光(Blu-Ray)刻录。
免费版不包括高级功能，例如多光盘跨接、ISO提取、直接光盘到光盘复制、音频提取以及从不可读光盘中恢复数据（如果您不需要这些功能）。
购买该软件的付费版本有一些轻微的唠叨，并注意在安装过程中偷偷尝试安装WinX DVD Ripper Platinum 。
图像刻录(ImgBurn)
Imgburn是一个免费软件应用程序。这意味着它不是付费软件的精简版，而是您获得了完整的体验。然而，免费软件(Freeware)不是开源的。它仍然是开发人员选择不收费的受版权保护的软件。您可以选择向作者捐款以支持应用程序的开发，但这完全是可选的。
ImgBurn 声名鹊起的是它的小巧轻便。该软件使用专用模式来读取、构建、写入或验证光盘。它还具有“发现”模式，可测试驱动器刻录光盘的质量。
鉴于这是“映像”刻录，对光盘映像格式的支持非常出色。您可以使用BIN、CCD、CDI、CUE、 DI 、 GI 、IMG、ISO、MDS、NRG和PDI文件格式。如果您发现了旧光盘映像的存档，ImgBurn是解锁它们的完美工具。ImgBurn支持大多数Windows版本，而不仅仅是Windows 10 或Windows 11。我们正在谈论Windows 95！更好的是，如果你有一个Linux系统，它将通过WINE工作。
虽然大多数 CD 和DVD刻录应用程序在简单地将数据放入光盘或制作原始光盘的直接副本方面做得相当不错，但DVD 创作(DVD-authoring)是一项更专业的工作。在这里，您可以创建可在DVD播放器中运行的(DVD)DVD，其中包含菜单、字幕(subtitles)和其他使商业DVD(DVDs)成为现实的功能。
假设您要制作家庭家庭视频DVD，或者您需要使用已录制的视频文件制作培训DVD。这就是您想要创作软件的地方。WinX DVD Author是制作正确DVD的少数免费解决方案之一。
它也很容易使用，考虑到DVD创作可能很快就会让人感到困惑，这是一件好事。如果您因为第一次突然被要求制作DVD而正在寻找解决方案，我们认为这是最好的免费DVD制作包之一。
如果您对WinX DVD Author不完全满意，DVDStyler是我们建议的第一个替代方案。与WinX程序一样，该软件可让您创建交互式DVD菜单。您可以从头开始制作它们，也可以快速选择要按原样使用或修改的模板。
添加多个字幕和音轨并使用DVD脚本创建自定义导航很容易。您还可以在同一个DVD项目上混合和匹配音频和视频格式，因为该软件将在过程结束时将其全部转换。只要您的内容采用其中一种受支持的格式，它就应该可以正常工作。这可以节省时间，因为您不必重新编码任何内容。
DVDStyler比(DVDStyler)WinX DVD Author需要更多的精力、时间和学习才能掌握，这是真的。但是，如果需要，您可以进行更紧密的定制。
尽管这些天似乎每个人都转向了音乐流媒体服务，但许多高质量的音频系统只播放音频 CD。您可能拥有一个运行良好的出色HiFi系统，或者是众多使用 CD 播放器驾驶汽车的人之一。如果您有这样的汽车并且它没有辅助音频输入，那么免费音频(Audio)CD刻录(Burner)机是不错的选择。
DeepBurner是光盘刻录领域另一个受人尊敬的名称，该软件的免费版本足以覆盖大多数家庭用户。您可以刻录(Burn)数据DVD(DVDs)和CD(CDs)、刻录(Burn)音频CD(CDs)、创建和刻录ISO格式的文件，以及制作可启动光盘。
其他一切都锁定在 30 美元的DeepBurner Pro版本的应用程序中。但是，如果您只在短时间内需要这些高级功能，则可以获得 30 天的全功能试用版。
红外线记录仪(InfraRecorder)
InfraRecorder是一个开源程序。这意味着源代码可供任何人修改或检查。这意味着该软件中没有间谍软件或其他恶意代码。
虽然该软件仅被列为与Windows 7兼容，并且在撰写本文时十年未更新，但它在我们的Windows 11系统上安装和启动时没有出现问题。
您在光盘刻录程序中需要的所有关键功能都在这里，不过，正如您对这样一个旧应用程序所期望的那样，它不支持蓝光(Blu-Ray)光盘刻录。再说一次，这是开源软件。因此，任何愿意投入工作的勇敢编码人员都可以添加此功能。
具有讽刺意味的是，虽然 Apple 的计算机不再使用 iTunes，但在Windows上，该应用程序仍然存在并且运行良好。虽然我们不推荐将 iTunes 作为可用的 CD 或DVD刻录应用程序，但如果您想创建音频 CD 或MP3 CD(MP3 CDs) ，它会非常棒。根据我们的经验，iTunes 制作的光盘与大多数播放器高度兼容。
如果您多年来从Apple购买了大量音乐，则制作音频 CD 是在 CD 播放器系统上播放该音乐的最高质量方式。使用 iTunes 创建播放列表并单击“将播放列表刻录到光盘”非常简单。更好的是，您可以轻松打印 CD 的曲目列表，因此您不必想知道您正在查看的光盘上的音乐是什么。
快速刻录（Windows 应用商店）
Express Burn是NCH 软件(NCH Software)产品，您可能会因为错误的原因而记住这个名称。2013 年左右，该公司因捆绑Google 工具栏(Google Toolbar)（一种PuP）而受到抨击，但到 2015 年，英国媒体报道软件已经消失，如今他们的软件已经完全健康。
该软件的免费版本确实有一个主要限制：它仅限于刻录 CD。如果您想刻录DVD(DVDs)，则必须为该应用程序的完整版付费。如果您也有Mac，那么Express Burn可用于这些系统。
燃烧宝贝，燃烧！
装满CD-R(CD-Rs)的 500 个光盘套文件夹的时代可能已经过去很久了，但很高兴知道您是否仍需要刻录 CD、DVD光盘、音频光盘或任何其他光学介质（HD DVD(HD DVDs)除外！），不花钱还是可以的。
也就是说，除了USB光盘刻录机驱动器和光盘主轴之外，您似乎还需要很长时间才能在亚马逊(Amazon)这样的地方找到这些东西。毕竟，索尼(Sony)在 2010 年才停止生产 1.44MB 软盘2010!
Best Free CD and DVD Burning Software for Windows 11
While Miсrosoft’s Windows 11 operating system has a rudimentary CD and DVD burning app in the form of Windowѕ Media Player, it’s only suitable for those who occasionally need to burn a CD or DVD in a pinch. If you need a freshly-burned disc rеgularly, it’s better to pick one of these best free CD and DVD burner software рackages.
The death of the optical disc has been swift, and most computers don’t even ship with an optical drive as standard anymore. Still, there are plenty of legacy devices that work just fine if you can convert your current digital content into physical form.
Warning! Watch Out for PuPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs)
This article focuses on CD and DVD burning software, but “free” almost always comes with another payment type. Sometimes it’s in-app advertising, which is generally acceptable. However, another increasingly common tactic is to include other software with the free application’s installer.
Essentially, the developers of other apps pay the free app developer a fee or commission to sneak their software into the installation process. If you stop to read each window of the installation wizard, you’ll notice that this is spelled out clearly, but most people simply click through the installer as quickly as possible.
Since this works on an “opt-out” basis, you may permit those apps to install without realizing it. The apps generally don’t rise to the level of malware, but they could include browser hijackers, adware, and other stubborn and annoying programs you probably don’t want.
Since the presence of PuPs in software such as the apps we’re highlighting below change constantly, it’s best to simply pay attention to the installation process and make sure you deselect any of these apps that try to piggyback on the installer.
Important CD Burner Features
Every disc-burning application should have a few key features. It should have a straightforward interface that makes it clear what type of disc project you’re creating. If you want to burn videos to disc to use them in set-top players, make sure the app can understand the formats you use, such as MOV, WMV, or AVI files. Otherwise, you’ll have to use a dedicated video conversion app to homogenize your media.
The ability to create or read ISO files is also worth looking out for. This allows you to create disc images used in virtual disc drives. It also makes it possible to duplicate discs quickly, even if you only have one drive.
Some features are more niche, and not everyone needs them. For example, the ability to erase DVD-RW discs probably isn’t that important anymore. Spanning files across multiple data CDs will only appeal to specific backup use cases.
Finally, we’ve avoided pure trial software such as DVD Creator or Nero Burning ROM. These applications let you burn discs for a trial period, after which you have to pay to keep using the application. That’s different from apps with a free version with fewer functions, which we have included in this list.
As the name suggests, CDBurnerXP was initially created in the era of Windows XP, but it’s preserved through Vista, Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and now Windows 11 to remain a crowd favorite burning solution.
CDBurnerXP’s feature list covers just about everything you’d typically want to do with disc-burning software. It’s not just limited to burning CDs and DVDs but also has support for Blu-Ray discs.
You can create bootable discs and MP3 discs. Crucially for audiophiles, you can make gapless CD Audio from formats like MP3, WAV, OGG, WMA, and Apple Lossless files. Notably, you can both burn discs from ISO disc images and create disc images from discs. If you have BIN or NRG images, CDBurnerXP can convert them to ISO images.
The only thing we can say about this app that’s not wholly positive is that it retains the same look it had in the Windows XP days, but that might even be a positive thing for some of you!
Ashampoo’s software is the free version of the paid premium package. While Burning Studio Free only has a subset of the features, you’ll find it in the paid version. Most users will be happy with what’s on offer.
Most importantly, this is one of the most accessible burning apps. So if you aren’t particularly confident about your ability to properly burn a disc, Burning Studio Free does a great job. It lays out the different types of disc projects most people want to tackle while being perfect for beginners.
The only mild annoyance is that you have to request a license key for the free version of the software, which means submitting your email address. Use a burner account if that’s a problem for you.
The free version of BurnAware cuts it down to the bare bones of CD burning. You can burn data discs, make copies, create audio CDs, MP3 discs, and video DVDs, and it allows Blu-Ray burning.
What’s excluded from the free version are advanced functions such as multi-disc spanning, ISO extraction, direct disc-to-disc copying, audio extraction, and data recovery from unreadable discs if you don’t need any of those functions.
There is some mild nagging to buy the paid version of the software, and watch out for a sneaky attempt to install WinX DVD Ripper Platinum during the installation process.
Imgburn is a freeware application. That means it’s not a cut-down version of paid software but that you’re getting the whole experience. Freeware isn’t open-source, however. It’s still copyrighted software that the developer has chosen not to charge money for. You can choose to donate some money to the author to support the app’s development, but it’s completely optional.
ImgBurn’s claim to fame is how small and lightweight it is. The software uses dedicated modes to read, build, write, or verify discs. It also has a “discovery” mode that tests the quality of your drive’s burned discs.
Given that this is “image” burn, the support for disc image formats is phenomenal. You can use BIN, CCD, CDI, CUE, DI, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG, and PDI file formats. If you’ve discovered an archive of old disc images, ImgBurn is the perfect tool to unlock them. ImgBurn supports most Windows versions, not just Windows 10 or Windows 11. We’re talking back to Windows 95! Even better, if you have a Linux system, it will work through WINE.
While most CD and DVD burning applications do a fair job of simply putting data onto a disc or making direct copies of original discs, DVD-authoring is a more specialized job. This is where you create a DVD that will work in a DVD player, complete with menus, subtitles, and other features that make commercial DVDs what they are.
Let’s say you want to create a family home video DVD, or you need to create a training DVD for work from video files you’ve recorded. That’s where you want authoring software. WinX DVD Author is one of the few free solutions to making a proper DVD.
It’s also easy to use, which is a blessing considering that DVD authoring can get confusing quickly. If you’re looking for a solution because you’ve suddenly been asked to make a DVD for the first time, this is one of the best free DVD authoring packages, in our opinion.
If you’re not completely happy with WinX DVD Author, DVDStyler is the first alternative we’d suggest. Like the WinX program, this software lets you create your interactive DVD menus. You can either make them from scratch or quickly choose a template to use as-is or modify.
It’s easy to add multiple subtitles and audio tracks and create custom navigation using DVD scripting. You can also mix and match audio and video formats on the same DVD project since the software will just convert it all at the end of the process. As long as your content is in one of the supported formats, it should just work. That saves time because you don’t have to re-encode anything.
DVDStyler needs a little more effort, time, and learning to master than WinX DVD Author, it’s true. However, you can make something more tightly customized if you need it.
Although everyone seems to have moved over to music streaming services these days, many quality audio systems only play audio CDs. You may have an excellent HiFi system that works just fine or one of the many people who drive a car with a CD player. If you have such a car and it doesn’t have an auxiliary audio input, then Free Audio CD Burner is good.
DeepBurner is another respected name in the disc-burning world, and the free version of the software offers just enough to cover most home users. You can Burn data DVDs and CDs, Burn audio CDs, create and burn files in ISO format, and make bootable discs.
Everything else is locked in the $30 DeepBurner Pro version of the application. However, you can get a 30-day fully-featured trial version if you only need those advanced features for a short while.
InfraRecorder is an open-source program. That means the source code is available for anyone to tinker with or examine. That means no spyware or other malicious code is in this software.
While the software is only listed as compatible up to Windows 7 and hasn’t been updated in ten years at the time of writing, it installed and launched without issue on our Windows 11 system.
All of the key features you’d want in a disc burning program are here, although, as you might expect from such an old application, there’s no support for Blu-Ray disc burning. Then again, this is open-source software. So any intrepid coder who feels like putting in the work can add this feature.
iTunes (Windows Store)
It’s deeply ironic that while Apple’s computers no longer use iTunes, on Windows, the app is alive and well. While we can’t recommend iTunes as an available CD or DVD burning application, it’s great if you want to create audio CDs or MP3 CDs. The discs that iTunes makes are, in our experience, highly compatible with the majority of players out there.
If you have a significant collection of music that you’ve bought from Apple over the years, creating your audio CDs is the highest-quality way to play that music on CD player systems. It’s so easy to create a playlist and click “Burn Playlist to Disc” with iTunes. Even better, you can easily print a tracklist for the CD, so you don’t have to wonder what music is on the disc you’re looking at.
Express Burn (Windows Store)
Express Burn is an NCH Software product, which is a name you may remember for the wrong reasons. Around 2013 the company picked up some flak for bundling the Google Toolbar (a PuP), but by 2015 the bloatware was gone, and today their software has a clean bill of health.
The free version of the software does have one major limitation: it’s limited to burning CDs. If you want to burn DVDs, you’ll have to pay for the full version of the app. If you have a Mac as well, Express Burn is available for those systems.
Burn Baby, Burn!
The days of 500-disc sleeve folders filled with CD-Rs might be long behind us, but it’s good to know if you still need to burn CDs, DVD discs, audio discs, or any other optical media (except HD DVDs!), it’s still possible without spending any money.
That is, apart from a USB disc burner drive and disc spindles, it still seems like it will be a long time before you can’t find these on places like Amazon anymore. After all, Sony only stopped making 1.44MB floppy discs in 2010!
