How to Create an Audio CD from MP3 Files Using Free Software [1]

Nowadays, the MP3 file seems to be the most common way to store digital music.  A lot of people have vast collections of songs, yet not every device out there in the world can actually play them.  A lot of music systems, both in the home and in the vehicle, don't know what to do with MP3 files.  In these situations, you may want to put your MP3 files onto a regular Audio-CD that can be played in most CD Players.

Below, I'll show you an easy way to do this using the excellent, built-in, (and most importantly, free) Windows Media Player.

• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 12
• A CD Writer Drive
• MP3 Files
• A Blank CD

[3]1.  Insert a blank CD into your CD-Writer Drive (henceforth known as the CD Burner).

2.  Open Windows Media Player.

3.  Navigate through the Library until you find the songs you want to burn.

4.  Click on the BURN tab on the top-right.

5.  Drag 'n' drop your songs from the left into the 'Burn List' on the right.

[4]6.  When you're done adding songs, go ahead and click on the BUTTON at the top right as shown in the screenshot (it's the one with the small checkbox and down-arrow).

7.  This will bring up a small settings menu.  In the menu, make sure that 'Audio CD' is checked.  This will tell Windows Media Player to automatically convert your MP3 Files to CD Audio.

8.  Once you're satisfied, click on 'Start Burn'.

9.  After the burn has completed, you might choose to test it in your vehicle or home audio system to make sure it worked.
 

I recommend that you leave your computer alone while it's converting and burning your CD, as this will help minimize errors.

If you're having any issues with CD's not burning properly (after which they are affectionately known as 'Coasters'), you might want to try unplugging your computer from the internet and temporarily shutting down background processes such as Anti-Virus.  Just be sure to turn them back on before you reconnect the internet connection.
 

If you'd like to have a little more control over your burn, or prefer not to use Windows Media Player, you might want to have a look at this excellent article which has several alternatives listed:

Best Free CD-DVD Burning Software: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-cd-dvd-burning-software.htm [5]

This article is a site archive. If you would like to suggest an amendment, or contribute a similar article, please follow the appropriate link on this page [6]. 

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