How to Erase a Re-writable CD/DVD

Windows XP comes with a builtin CD-copy feature, which let users do some quick CD/DVD burning tasks without using any other software.

The information on this article will show you how to erase a CD-RW/DVD-RW without using any other software on Windows XP. You can do either a quick erase or a full erase. Once the CD/DVD is erased (or "formated"), it is considered "blank" and you can write new files/folders to it.

Requirements: "You need to enable the CD-R feature on Windows XP".

Note: "Make sure to backup the data from your CD/DVD before proceeding".

• Insert a ReWritable CD/DVD disc into the CD/DVD drive.


• From Desktop, double-click on "My Computer".


• Double-click on the CD-Rom drive.


• On the window that displays the contents of the CD, click on the menu "Erase this CD-RW" on the left panel.


• On the window "CD Writing Wizard", click "Next".


• The "CD Writing Wizard" starts to erase the CD:


• Once the erasing is complete, the wizard will disappear and the CD-Rom window shows no files on the CD. You're done!