ImgBurn 2.5.8.0

ImgBurn is a free, lightweight program for burning and copying CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs on Windows.

It writes disc images such as ISO files to blank discs, turns discs back into image files, and checks that every burn is perfect.

Version 2.5.8.0 from June 2013 is the last release, yet it still runs well on current Windows and remains one of the most capable free burners.

What ImgBurn Actually Does

ImgBurn opens with a menu of five modes, each doing one job well. Pick the task, choose your files and drive, and press the big burn button.

• Write image file to disc - burn an ISO, BIN/CUE, NRG or IMG file, such as a Linux installer or an old game backup.
• Write files/folders to disc - make a data disc, a video DVD from a VIDEO_TS folder, or a Blu-ray from a BDMV folder.
• Read a disc to an image file - copy a disc you own to an ISO for safekeeping.
• Verify - compare a burned disc with its source, byte by byte.
• Discovery - test how well your drive and a brand of blank discs work together.

Is It Still Safe to Use?

Development stopped in 2013, but disc formats and burner hardware have barely changed since, so the burning engine still does its job on Windows 10 and 11. It simply gets no new fixes.

Over the years the official installer has carried bundled offers. When you install, choose Custom and untick anything that is not ImgBurn itself.

Where ImgBurn Still Leads

Dual-layer video DVDs. ImgBurn lets you pick the layer break on DVD-9 discs by hand, which matters for smooth playback on standalone DVD players. Most free burners set it automatically with no override.

Old image formats. It reads NRG files from Nero, CDI from DiscJuggler, MDS from Alcohol and other formats that newer tools often reject.

Audio CDs from lossless files. It builds audio CDs straight from FLAC, APE and WavPack with CD-Text, using the codecs already on your PC.

Ripping the other way? Exact Audio Copy makes error-checked rips, and the LAME MP3 Encoder turns them into MP3s.

Detailed logs. Every burn and verify writes a full log, handy when a disc fails and you need to know why.

Burning a Video DVD

ImgBurn burns a finished VIDEO_TS folder but does not turn MP4 or MKV files into a DVD. DVDStyler builds the DVD with menus first, then ImgBurn writes it.

Have old AVI files made with DivX or Xvid? Most DVD authoring tools need the matching codec installed to read them.

When Another Tool Fits Better

Windows 10 and 11 can also burn an ISO with no extra software: right-click the file and choose Burn disc image. It is fine for a quick job, but it has no verify step or format options.

Playing What You Burn

VLC Media Player plays DVDs and their menus on Windows with nothing extra installed.

To play disc rips and video files in Windows Media Player and other programs, the K-Lite Codec Pack adds the decoders they need.

Quick questions

More burners and disc tools are in our Burning Tools section.

Download ImgBurn 2.5.8.0 and burn your first disc image, or tell us what you still burn with it.