DVD-RW discs can be formatted and rewritten (RW is an abbreviation for rewrite). This will allow you to use DVD-RW discs many times for copying or storing files. Before dubbing a DVD-RW disc, you must erase the information stored on it. When you format a disc, you will be able to choose how and where you can use the disc. The process of erasing data and formatting a DVD-RW disc is quite simple, but it depends on your operating system (Windows or Mac OS).
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Format DVD-RW on Windows
Step 1. Insert the DVD-RW disc into your DVD burner
Make sure your optical drive is writable and DVD-compatible; otherwise, you will not be able to erase, format, or write the data to the disc.
If you are using Windows XP or another older version of Windows, you may need to download and install Service Pack 3 for the system to recognize the DVD-RW disc
Step 2. Erase the data stored on the disk
If there is already information on the disc, erase it. To do this, click on "Start" - "Computer" - "Windows Explorer" and then click on the DVD icon. The DVD burning software will open. In the toolbar, click Erase This Drive and follow the instructions on the screen.
In Windows 8 and 10, first go to the Manage tab
Step 3. Go to the "Burn files to disk" window
It will open when you insert a blank disc into your optical drive, or when you double-click on a blank disc in the Computer window.
If the window does not appear after you have finished erasing data from the disc, remove the disc from the optical drive and then reinsert it. The Burn Files to Disc window opens
Step 4. Give the drive a name
You will be prompted for a disc name, which will be displayed when the disc is inserted into the drive and will allow you to recognize the disc. If possible, give the disc a name that describes the information you intend to write to the disc.
Step 5. Select the desired format
When formatting a DVD-RW disc in Windows, you can choose one of two options: "As a USB flash drive" (the so-called "live" file system) or "For CD / DVD-player" (the so-called Mastered format). Your choice depends on how you intend to use the disc.
- Select the "live" file system if you want to be able to add files to disk and delete them one at a time. That is, the disk will turn into a kind of flash drive.
- Please note that disks formatted with a live file system are only compatible with Windows.
- The "Mastered" format will not allow you to use the disc like a USB flash drive. Having written all the necessary files to disk at once, you cannot erase them one by one or add any other files. In this case, in order to write new files to the disk, you will have to erase the previous data from it.
- Please note that the Mastered format is more suitable for burning a large number of files to disc. Moreover, this format is compatible with many operating systems.
Step 6. Complete the formatting process
By choosing a formatting method, the optical drive prepares the disc for recording. This will take some time. Then you can start adding files.
Step 7. Adding files
Open the disk in a system explorer window and drag and drop the files you want to write to the disk. If you selected a live file system, files will be written as they are added, and the disc will be finalized before ejecting. If you are using the Mastered format, drag the files you want to the disc window and then click Burn to Disc.
Method 2 of 2: Format DVD-RW on Mac OS
Step 1. Insert the DVD-RW disc into the optical drive
Most Mac computers are equipped with DVD burner drives. If your computer does not have such a drive, connect an external optical drive.
Step 2. Run the "Disk Utility" program
To do this, open the Applications folder and then click on Utilities.
Step 3. Find the inserted DVD-RW disc
In the Disk Utility window, locate and click on your DVD-RW drive. It appears in the list of drives in the left pane of the window.
Step 4. Click the Erase tab to launch the disk format utility
Select a formatting method: Fast or Full. In most cases, the Fast option will work, but if the disk is malfunctioning, select the Full option.
A full format will take a few minutes, which is much longer than a quick format
Step 5. Click Erase
Upon completion of the formatting process, you will receive a blank and writeable disc.
Step 6. Burn data to DVD-RW disc
Double-click the disk icon on your desktop and drag the files you want to the Finder window that opens. After adding the files, click "Burn" to burn them to disk. Such a disk will be compatible with other operating systems.
Advice
- If the Erase button is disabled using any of the methods described here, you have inserted a DVD-R disc (write once) and not a DVD-RW disc (rewrite).
- If you do not like the system utility for burning discs, use a special program that will allow you to easily burn files to disc, for example, Roxio or Nero.