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How to Format DVD RW

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...
Method 1 of 2:

Formatting DVD-RWs Using Windows

  1. How to Format DVD RW Picture 1How to Format DVD RW Picture 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.
    1. 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.[1]
  2. How to Format DVD RW Picture 2How to Format DVD RW Picture 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.[2]
    1. In Windows 8 and 10, you'll need to click the "Manage" tab first.
  3. How to Format DVD RW Picture 3How to Format DVD RW Picture 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.
    1. 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.
  4. How to Format DVD RW Picture 4How to Format DVD RW Picture 4
    Give your disc a name. 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. How to Format DVD RW Picture 5How to Format DVD RW Picture 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.[3]
    1. 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.
    2. Note: Live File System discs created in this manner are only compatible with Windows.
    3. 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.
    4. Note: Mastered tends to be better for burning lots of files. In addition, Mastered discs will be compatible with other operating systems.
  6. How to Format DVD RW Picture 6How to Format DVD RW Picture 6
    Finish the formatting process. 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.
  7. How to Format DVD RW Picture 7How to Format DVD RW Picture 7
    Add your 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[4]
Method 2 of 2:

Formatting DVD-RWs Using a Mac

  1. How to Format DVD RW Picture 8How to Format DVD RW Picture 8
    Insert the DVD-RW disc into your drive. 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.
  2. How to Format DVD RW Picture 9How to Format DVD RW Picture 9
    Open the Disk Utility. You can find this in "Utilities" under the Applications folder.[5]
  3. How to Format DVD RW Picture 10How to Format DVD RW Picture 10
    Find your DVD-RW in the utility. Select your DVD-RW disc in Disk Utility. You can find it in the list on the left side of the window.
  4. How to Format DVD RW Picture 11How to Format DVD RW Picture 11
    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".
    1. The "Completely" option takes at least several minutes, significantly longer than the "Quickly" option
  5. How to Format DVD RW Picture 12How to Format DVD RW Picture 12
    Click the "Erase" button. Once this process finalizes you will have a clean DVD-RW ready to write on.
  6. How to Format DVD RW Picture 13How to Format DVD RW Picture 13
    Burn your data to the DVD-RW. 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.
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