Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The “Burn Disc” feature of Windows 7 works the same for both CDs and DVDs. You can burn files to either type of disc through the Explorer without any third party software.
Insert the disc
You will need a drive capable of writing to whatever sort of disc you wish to burn. For CDs, you’ll need a CD writer and for DVDs, you’ll need a DVD writer. Get a blank disc and insert it into the drive.
Choose which type of disc to burn
Most likely, the Autoplay window will appear and ask what you wish to do with the blank disc. Choose Burn files to disc using Windows Explorer.
The “Burn Disc” dialog box will pop up and ask you which type of disc you wish to burn. The options are to burn a disc “Like a USB flash drive”, or one that “works with a CD/DVD player”.
- Like a USB flash drive — The session will not be closed, meaning you will be able to add and remove files from your disc after it is burned. Many modern computers will be able to work with a disc such as this, but older computers and many electronics such as stereos and DVD players might not be able to read it.
- Works with a CD/DVD player — Once your files are burned to the disc, everything is finalized and no further changes will be made. This type of disc will work with the widest range of computers and electronics.
Unless you have a need to work with the contents of the disc that requires you to modify them later, I suggest that you choose the second option. For example, if I were burning a batch of photos to a CD or DVD for a friend, I would choose “works with a CD/DVD player”.
If the AutoPlay window does not appear after you insert the disc, you can manually bring it up by clicking Start, Computer, then double-clicking on your CD/DVD drive.
This can happen if another application takes control of the blank disc before Explorer — for example, when I put a blank test disc into my PC, I didn’t see the AutoPlay window because iTunes detected the disc first and asked if I wanted to make a music CD.
Add files to the blank disc
You can now add files to your blank CD or DVD through a number of ways. Here are a few:
- Drag and drop files onto the blank disc through Windows Explorer.
- Copy and paste files onto the blank disc.
- Write click on any file, mouse over Send to… and choose your CD/DVD drive.
Burn the file(s) to your blank CD or DVD
If you don’t already have a Windows Explorer window for your blank CD or DVD open, click Start, click Computer and open up your CD/DVD drive. In the Explorer window, you’ll see all the files waiting to be written to your blank disc. Click Burn to Disc on the Windows Explorer toolbar. You’ll be asked to Prepare the Disc, in which you give it a name and select a recording speed. Make your choices and hit “Next”.
You’ll see a progress bar appear on your screen, and when it’s done your disc will be ready.
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You can choose to hide or show hidden files and folders in Windows 7 through the Folder and Search Options screen.
- In the Explorer window, click the Organize button.
- In the menu that appears, click Folder and Search Options.
- Go to the View tab.
- Under Advanced Settings, locate the Hidden files and folders section.
- Choose “Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives” to hide these things from view in the Explorer.
- Choose “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” to reveal these things in the Explorer.
- Click the OK button.
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Windows 7 features the capability to disable many core features such as Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. These options are accessible in the “Turn Windows Features on or off” section of the Control Panel. In order to enable or disable core Windows 7 features, you must first bring up this “Windows Features” window.
Step 1: Go to the Control Panel
Click the Start button and choose “Control Panel” from the rightmost column.
Step 2: Programs and Features
By default, you’ll see to columns of options in the Control Panel. Click the green Programs heading at the bottom of the left column.
When the Programs portion of the Control Panel loads, click on Turn Windows features on and off which is located underneath the green Programs and Features heading.
Step 3: Disable a Feature
The Windows Features window will now appear on your screen. Locate the feature you wish to disable and un-mark the checkbox to the left of its name. Click one of the following links for instructions on disabling a specific feature:
If a feature does not have a check mark next to its name, it is already disabled. You can enable it by checking the box.
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How can I disable Windows Media Player in Windows 7?
Windows 7 features the capability to disable many core features, including the Windows Media Player application. This option is located in the Windows Features portion of the Control Panel.
Bring up Windows Features from the Control Panel
In order to disable Windows Media Player in Windows 7, go to the Control Panel, click the Programs heading, and choose Turn Windows features on or off. “How to Enable or Disable Core Features in Windows 7” has more detailed instructions and screenshots regarding this procedure.
Disable Windows Media Player
Expand the Media Features option and remove the check mark from the box next to Windows Media Player, then click the “OK” button. If the box does not contain a check mark, then Windows Media Player has already been disabled.
Disable Other Windows 7 Features
This article is part of a series on how to enable or disable core features of Windows 7. Take a look at the other articles in this series for instructions on disabling other core features of Windows 7.
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How can I disable IE 8 in Windows 7?
Windows 7 features the capability to disable many core features, Internet Explorer 8 being one of them. This option is located in the Windows Features portion of the Control Panel.
Bring up Windows Features from the Control Panel
In order to disable IE 8 in Windows 7, go to the Control Panel, click the Programs heading, and choose Turn Windows features on or off. “How to Enable or Disable Core Features in Windows 7” has more detailed instructions and screenshots regarding this procedure.
Disable Internet Explorer 8
Locate the Internet Explorer 8 option and remove the check mark from the box to its left, then click the “OK” button. If the box does not contain a check mark, then IE 8 has already been disabled.
Disable Other Windows 7 Features
This article is part of a series on how to enable or disable core features of Windows 7. Take a look at the other articles in this series for instructions on disabling other core features of Windows 7.
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How can I disable Gadgets in Windows 7?
Windows 7 has the capability to disable many core features, one of them being the Windows Gadget Platform. The option to disable Gadgets located in the Windows Features portion of the Control Panel.
Bring up Windows Features from the Control Panel
In order to disable Gadgets in Windows 7, go to the Control Panel, click the Programs heading, and choose Turn Windows features on or off. “How to Enable or Disable Core Features in Windows 7” has more detailed instructions and screenshots regarding this procedure.
Disable Windows Gadget Platform
Find the Windows Gadget Platform option and remove the check mark from the box to its left, then click the “OK” button. If the box does not contain a check mark, then Gadgets have already been disabled.
Disable Other Windows 7 Features
This article is part of a series on how to enable or disable core features of Windows 7. Take a look at the other articles in this series for instructions on disabling other core features of Windows 7.
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How can I disable the Windows Search feature in Windows 7?
Windows 7 allows you to disable many core features, one of which is Windows Search. The option to disable Windows Search located in the Windows Features portion of the Control Panel.
Bring up Windows Features from the Control Panel
In order to disable Search in Windows 7, go to the Control Panel, click the Programs heading, and choose Turn Windows features on or off. “How to Enable or Disable Core Features in Windows 7” has more detailed instructions and screenshots regarding this procedure.
Disable Windows Search
Locate the Windows Search option in the list and remove the check mark from the box to its left, then click the “OK” button. If the box does not contain a check mark, then Windows Search has already been disabled.
Disable Other Windows 7 Features
This article is part of a series on how to enable or disable core features of Windows 7. Take a look at the other articles in this series for instructions on disabling other core features of Windows 7.
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How can I disable Windows Media Center in Windows 7?
Windows 7 features the capability to disable many core features, one of which is Windows Media Center. This option is located in the Windows Features portion of the Control Panel.
Bring up Windows Features from the Control Panel
In order to disable Windows Media Center in Windows 7, go to the Control Panel, click the Programs heading, and choose Turn Windows features on and off. “How to Enable or Disable Core Features in Windows 7” has more detailed instructions and screenshots regarding this procedure.
Disable Windows Media Center
Expand the Media Features option and remove the check mark from the box next to Windows Media Center, then click the “OK” button. If the box does not contain a check mark, then Windows Media Center has already been disabled.
Disable Other Windows 7 Features
This article is part of a series on how to enable or disable core features of Windows 7. Take a look at the other articles in this series for instructions on disabling other core features of Windows 7.
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Why doesn’t Windows 7 have a My Computer desktop icon?
With Windows 95 through XP, PC users became accustomed to seeing default icons like “My Computer” on the desktop, but if you haven’t spent any time on Vista, you may be confused by the lack of a My Computer icon on the desktop of Windows 7. In fact, the only icon you’ll see on the Windows 7 desktop is the Recycle Bin.
The icons you’re used to seeing on the desktop are found in Windows 7’s Start menu. Hit the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, look at the rightmost column in the Start menu and you will see a few familiar options — Documents, Pictures, Music and more. Notice that the “My” has been removed from all these labels. You may not notice it at first, but My Computer is now just “Computer”. Click on the “Computer” option and you will open up an Explorer window containing all the things normally found under My Computer.
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When considering upgrading your existing computer to a new operating system, the first question is usually going to be “what are the system requirements?” Microsoft’s Windows 7 system requirements page outlines the minimum specs your PC will need to meet in order to run the operating system.
1 GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor
Your computer’s Central Processing Unit is the brains of the system — it performs all the basic calculations that make it possible for your system to function and your applications to operate. Older computers usually have 32-bit processors, but new systems with 64-bit capabilities are quite common now. The difference between 32 and 64-bit processors determines how much information the CPU is able to handle at one time. 64-bit systems can also support more RAM, since they can work with a much larger address space. Windows 7 is compatible with both types of processor.
In order to find out your computer’s processor speed, follow these steps:
- Windows XP: Right-click My Computer, click Properties, go to the General tab and look for your CPU information.
- Windows Vista: Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, then click System and look for the line labeled “Processor”.
Read “How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system” for instructions on determining what type of processor is in your PC. In Vista, this information is found on the same “System” screen as your processor speed. The process for finding this information in XP is a little bit more complicated.
1 or 2 GB of RAM
If you have a 32-bit system, you will need 1 GB of RAM. If you have a 64-bit system then you’ll need 2 GB of RAM. Random Access Memory is a very fast type of storage device used by your computer to “remember” information about the applications you’re running, files you’re working with, etc…
- Windows XP: Right-click My Computer, click Properties, go to the General tab and look the bit reading “xxx MB/GB of RAM”.
- Windows Vista: Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, then click System and look for the part that says “Memory (RAM): xxx MB/GB”.
One gigabyte (GB) of RAM is roughly equal to 1,000 megabytes (MB). If your system displays memory information in MB, you’ll need about 1,000 MB or more if it’s a 32-bit system, and about 2,000 MB or more for a 64-bit system.
16 or 20 GB available hard disk space
Users with 32-bit systems need 16 GB of available hard drive space, and 64-bit users require 20 GB.
- Windows XP: Double-click My Computer, right-click the drive icon for your primary system partition (most likely the C: drive) and choose Properties. You’ll see an area with a pie chart showing how much space is available.
- Windows Vista: Click Start, click Computer and look at the percentage bar next to your primary system partition (most likely the C: drive).
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Plain and simple, your graphics card is responsible for rendering what you see on-screen. Many of the improvements to the Windows 7 interface require a modern graphics card, and extras like animation and HD video certainly require a lot of heavy lifting in this department.
The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can tell you whether or not your graphics device is compatible with Windows 7. It will also scan the rest of your hardware and check it against Windows 7’s other system requirements.
Photos by dailyinvention, altemark, and wonderferret used under a Creative Commons license.
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