Q&A for How to Erase a CD RW

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What if my CD was formatted to be compatible with a CD player? I can't delete the data on the disc, and I tried the steps above, but it won't work.

Community Answer

When you "finalize" the CD to use in other players, it is no longer re-writable.

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Question

Can I rewrite on a CD that I purchased with content on it?

Community Answer

Depends on what type of CD you have purchased. CD-R can't be rewritten while CD-RW can be rewritten.

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Question

My "erase this disc" prompt has turned gray. How can I fix this?

Community Answer

If you have a CD-R, it doesn't work. You need a CD-RW in order for this to be re-written.

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Question

How do I do this using Windows 7?

Community Answer

Double-click My Computer, right-click the CD icon, then click Format.

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Question

How do I identify whether it is a CD-R or CD-RW?

Aditya Telang

Community Answer

All CD/DVDs will have it printed on the label. If your label is damaged or not visible, put the CD/DVD in the DVD drive. Right-click on the CD/DVD, then click Properties. You will see what kind of CD/DVD it is.

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Question

What do I do if the option to erase my CD-RW disc is grayed out?

Aditya Telang

Community Answer

In that case, the CD is probably not CD-RW. Check on the CD specifically for "RW". If it's there, try to format your CD-RW from the system. It will delete data from the CD and make room for burning. If that does not solve your issue, try using a third-party DVD/CD burning software to format or delete data. If that also does not solve your concern, then it is time to replace the CD-RW.

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Question

Does this work with movie DVD-Rs that I have created?

Aditya Telang

Community Answer

No. A DVD-R can be used to burn data just once. After that, it cannot be deleted or re-written.

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Question

Is it possible to erase a CD-RW or DVD-RW?

Denneisk

Top Answerer

CD-RW and DVD-RW are both erasable and rewritable. You can erase and rewrite them as many times as you want until they wear out.

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