Formatting a CD or DVD in Windows 10 is a simple process, but it is important to know the type of disc you have before attempting to erase or format it. There are two types of DVDs available in the market: DVD-R and DVD-RW. The former is readable only while the latter is both readable and writable. In this article, we’ll show you how to format both types of DVDs.
Formatting a DVD-RW
If you have a DVD-RW that you want to erase, simply insert it into your computer’s DVD drive. Once the computer recognizes the disc, you should see an icon for the DVD-RW appear. Click on the icon to open the disc, which should open like a regular folder or a USB drive.
Next, right-click on the disc and select the “Format” option. This will erase all the data on the disc and prepare it for reuse. The formatting process may take up to 50 seconds, depending on the size of the disc and the amount of data it contains. Once it’s done, the disc will be empty and ready for use.
Formatting a DVD-R
If you have a DVD-R that you want to erase or format, the process is a bit different. Unlike a DVD-RW, you cannot erase data from a DVD-R once it has been written to it. However, you can still format the disc to reclaim any unused space.
To format a DVD-R, simply insert it into your computer’s DVD drive. However, when you right-click on the disc icon, you will not see an option to erase or format the disc. This is because DVD-Rs are read-only, which means that once data has been written to them, it cannot be erased or overwritten.
To reclaim the unused space on a DVD-R, simply right-click on the disc icon and select the “Format” option. This will erase all the data on the disc and prepare it for reuse. However, keep in mind that this will not give you back any space that has already been used.
In conclusion, formatting a CD or DVD in Windows 10 is a simple process that can be completed in just a few clicks. Just be sure to know the type of disc you have before attempting to erase or format it.