How to Format DVD RW

Download Article

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 8, 2024 Tested

Download Article

Using Windows

|

Using a Mac

|

Video

|

Q&A

|

Tips

|

Things You'll Need

DVD-RW discs allow you to format and rewrite data multiple times (the "RW" stands for "rewrite"). This allows you to keep using a DVD-RW again and again to transfer or save files. Before you "rewrite" on your DVD-RW you may need to erase the data already on the disc. This process also allows you to reformat the disc which can change how and where you're able to use it for your data needs. The process of erasing and formatting your DVD-RW is fairly simple, but varies depending on the operating system (i.e. Windows vs Mac) you are using.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows

Download Article

1
Insert the DVD-RW disc into a DVD burner drive. Make sure that your drive has the ability to write DVDs, otherwise, you won't be able to erase, reformat, or write new data the disc.
- If you are using Windows XP or another older version of Windows, you may have to download and install Service Pack 3 in order to recognize your DVD-RW disc.
2
Erase the existing data. If the DVD-RW has data on it, you'll first need to erase what's there. Click "Start"->"Computer"->"Windows Explorer" then click the DVD icon. This will pull up the DVD burner software. In the toolbar, click "Erase this disc" and follow the instructions. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- In Windows 8 and 10, you'll need to click the "Manage" tab first.
Advertisement
3
Access the "Burn files to disc" window. This appears when you either insert a blank disc or double-click the blank disc in the computer window.
- If no window appears automatically after erasing the disc contents, eject and re-insert the now blank disc into your drive to prompt this window to appear.
You'll be prompted to enter a name for the disc. This name will appear when the disc is inserted and allow you to recognize it. Give it a name that describes its intended contents if possible.
5
Select the format you want to use. You have two options when it comes to formatting a DVD-RW in Windows: "Like a USB flash drive" (a.k.a. Live File System) or "With a CD/DVD player" (a.k.a. Mastered). What you choose depends on how you intend to use the disc. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Live File System is appropriate if you want to be able to add and remove files from the disc at any time. The disc will act similarly to a USB drive and files will be burned to the disc as soon as they are added.
- Note: Live File System discs created in this manner are only compatible with Windows.
- Mastered is appropriate if you'd like the disc to function more like a closed system. All of the files are burned at once after you're finished adding them and no more files can be added without a full erase when using this format.
- Note: Mastered tends to be better for burning lots of files. In addition, Mastered discs will be compatible with other operating systems.
Once you've selected your formatting method, the drive will prepare the disc. This may take a few moments. After it's finished, you'll be able to start adding files to the disc.
Open the disc in an Explorer window and start dragging and dropping the files you want to burn. If you are using a Live File System, the files will be burned as they are dragged over and the disc will be finalized when you eject it. If you are using the Mastered format, you'll need to click "Burn to disc" once all the desired files have been added.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Mac

Download Article

The majority of Mac computer disc drives have the ability to burn DVDs. If you have a Mac without a disc drive, you will instead have to connect an external optical drive.
You can find this in "Utilities" under the Applications folder. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
Select your DVD-RW disc in Disk Utility. You can find it in the list on the left side of the window.
4
Click the "Erase" tab to open the formatting utility. You'll be asked to select either "Quickly" or "Completely" for the erasing process. Most of the time the "Quickly" option will be fine, but if you've been having problems with the disc select "Completely".
- The "Completely" option takes at least several minutes, significantly longer than the "Quickly" option
Once this process finalizes you will have a clean DVD-RW ready to write on.
Double-click the disc on your desktop and drag files into the Finder window that opens. Once you're finished adding files, click the "Burn" button to burn them to the disc. This disc will be compatible with other operating systems.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I select and drag a file in Windows 10?

Community Answer

You can click and hold the file, and then drag it to the desired place. For selecting multiple files, you can usually click and drag your mouse cursor over the desired files, which selects them all.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
Question

Do I need to format a DVD-RW to use it?

Community Answer

If it's new, it should already be formatted and set to go. You can format it after several uses to clear the data or change format options.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 0
Question

How can I format a DVD disk like USB in Windows 10?

Community Answer

If you computer has a DVD port, you can just put it in there and it will come up as a file. If you have an external DVD port just plug that into the USB port.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 0

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Consider using a DVD burning program to burn data to your DVD-RW. Roxio, Nero, and several other companies offer comprehensive DVD burning programs if you're frustrated with the system utilities built into your operating system.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
If the "Erase" feature doesn't appear while using one the outlined methods, it's possible you have a DVD (able to be written one time only) and not a DVD-RW (rewritable).

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0