How to Boot a PC or Mac from a CD or DVD

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This wikiHow article will teach you how to start your computer from a CD or DVD rather than from the computer's internal hard drive. The process is a little different depending on whether you're using a Windows PC or a Mac. Booting from a disc can be helpful if you're trying to install a different operating system on your computer or having trouble booting into the standard operating system.

Things You Should Know

  • If you're using a Windows PC, you may need to boot into the BIOS first to make sure you can boot from CD or DVD.
  • If your PC or Mac doesn't have a CD or DVD drive, you can connect an external drive.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Windows PC

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  1. To do so, place the disc logo side-up in your computer's CD or DVD-ROM tray.
  2. Before you can boot from a CD or DVD, make sure the computer's boot sequence is set to boot from a removable disc before the hard drive. To get started, you'll have to boot into your PC's BIOS . There are two ways to do this:
    • The first option is to reboot your computer and immediately press the setup key repeatedly until you've reached the BIOS. This key is usually F2 , Del , F10 , or F1 . If you're not sure, Google your PC model and "BIOS setup key."
    • Windows 10: Press Windows key + i , go to Update & Security > Recovery , and click Restart Now under "Advanced Startup."
    • Windows 11: Press Windows key + i , go to System > Recovery , and click Restart Now under "Advanced Startup.
    • Once you're at the blue Advanced Options screen, click UEFI Firmware Settings and then click Restart .
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  3. You'll use the arrow keys to select it.
    • The Boot tab may instead say Boot Options , depending on your computer's manufacturer.
  4. To do so, press the ↓ arrow until this option has a box around it.
    • This may be called DVD-ROM or Optical Drive.
  5. This will place it at the top of the boot options list.
    • You may have to press a different key as indicated by the key legend on the far-right side of the BIOS screen.
  6. You should see a key prompt (e.g., F10 ) at the bottom of the screen that correlates to "Save and Exit"; pressing it will restart your computer, using the CD drive as a reboot point.
    • You may have to press ↵ Enter to confirm the changes.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using a Mac

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  1. To do so, slide the disc logo side-up into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM slot on your Mac. The CD must have a version of Mac OS on it to qualify as a boot option.
    • Some Macs don't have CD slots. If your Mac doesn't have a CD slot, you'll need to purchase an external CD drive.
  2. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  3. This option is at the bottom of the Apple menu.
  4. Doing so will cause your Mac to begin restarting.
  5. You'll need to hold down ⌘ Command as soon as your Mac begins restarting, and keep holding it until the Startup Manager window appears.
  6. It will typically say something like "Mac OS X Install DVD" below it. Clicking this icon selects it.
  7. Doing so will prompt your Mac to boot from the CD drive.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I can't remember my password to boot my Toshiba laptop. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    If you have Windows, boot your computer and immediately press on the F8 key repeatedly until your computer displays the boot menu. Choose Safe Mode using the arrow keys and press Enter. On the home screen, click on Administrator. Click on the Start menu in the bottom left corner, go in the Control Panel, then in User Accounts you can change any user passwords easily.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 11
  • Question
    How do I reboot and select the proper boot device?
    Community Answer
    For most computers, when you turn them on, the boot options are displayed. They could be F1,F2,F3,F4, etc., and there should be an option to boot from hard drive, CD, etc.
    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 6 Helpful 12
  • Question
    My computer won't open in that condition. How can I boot my computer system?
    Sujan Shrestha
    Community Answer
    Enter the bios by pressing the F2 key, and select the first boot.
    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
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Insert the CD.
      2. Click the Start menu.
      3. Click the Power icon.
      4. Click Restart .
      5. Press either the Del or F2 key when the PC restarts.
      6. Go to the BIOS Boot tab.
      7. Set your CDROM drive as the primary boot drive.
      8. Save and reboot.

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