How to play CDs or DVDs - Windows
How to check for and play CDs or DVDs - Windows
How to check for and play CDs or DVDs - Windows
First, identify if the machine has an optical drive
- Newer systems no longer have CD or DVD drives. To verify whether your system has a built-in drive, check the left and right side of the machine (or the front for some systems). See if there is a slot for inserting a CD or DVD. Normally, there is a button to eject the CD or DVD tray for inserting a disc.
- Another method to check for an optical drive is listed below.
1. Click Start and type Device Manager in the search box. Select Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager look for DVD/CD -ROM Drives.
Note: If DVD/CD -ROM Drives is not displayed, this means the device has no optical drive hardware. An external optical drive will need to be purchased to run a CD or DVD. Also, check the product specification to see if the device has an optical drive.
If you were previously able to play a CD or DVD and DVD/CD -ROM Drives has disappeared from Device Manager or your device is not reading the disc, see Your CD or DVD drive is not recognized by Windows or other programs.
Play a CD or DVD
- Insert the disc to be played in the drive. (Read more How to insert a disc in the CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD drive). CD/DVD player software is required to run the disc.
Note:- Windows Media Player is included with Windows 10 desktop. Note that the app no longer plays DVDs.
- Windows DVD Player app enables Windows 10 PCs with an optical disc drive to play DVD movies (but not Blu-ray discs). You can buy it in the Microsoft Store. Read more DVD playback options for Windows
- Blu-ray Disc format is not supported in Windows Media Player or Windows DVD Player app. To play a Blu-ray Disc, use a non-Microsoft program that supports Blu-ray playback and a device capable of reading Blu-ray Discs.
- Typically, the disc will start playing automatically. If it does not play, or if you want to play a disc that is already inserted, open Windows Media Player, and then in the Player Library, select the disc name in the navigation pane. Read more Play a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player.
- If a message is displayed that says the computer is missing a codec or that a DVD decoder is required, you are probably trying to play, burn, or sync a file that was compressed by using a codec that Windows or the Player does not include by default. For more information about codecs, see Codecs: frequently asked questions.
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