How to Burn Blu-ray? | From Data Discs To Video Blu-rays

Burning Blu-ray needs a Blu-ray writer, BD-R or BD-RE blanks, and either Windows’ built-in data burner or authoring software for video discs.

For the full breakdown, see our best Blu Ray Burner guide.

“Burning a Blu-ray” usually means one of two things: backing up files onto a disc, or making a movie disc with menus that a standalone player can open. These are different jobs with different tools—grabbing the wrong one is the most common mistake. Below are steps for both jobs, the required hardware, and current software prices.

The Hardware Every Blu-ray Burn Needs

Every Blu-ray project starts with a Blu-ray writer. A DVD burner lacks the blue-violet laser that BD media requires, so no software can make one work. An internal BD writer fits a desktop drive bay; a USB Blu-ray writer suits laptops. Apple hasn’t shipped a Mac with an optical drive in over a decade, so Mac users need an external Blu-ray writer plus third-party software, since macOS has no built-in Blu-ray burning. For drive options, our tested Blu-ray burner roundup compares internal and USB models side by side.

Media matters just as much. Sony’s documentation supports BD-R and BD-RE as recordable types. BD-R is write-once—ideal for permanent backups; BD-RE is rewritable—suited for reusable discs. Match the disc to the job, because the format can’t change after the burn.

Can Windows Burn Blu-ray Discs By Itself?

Yes—for data discs. Windows burns files to BD-R and BD-RE via File Explorer, no extra software needed. This workflow does not produce a video Blu-ray with menus, though; that requires separate authoring software. Sony’s instructions walk through the Windows Explorer process:

1. Insert a recordable BD-R or BD-RE disc into the Blu-ray writer.
2. When AutoPlay appears, choose Burn files to disc. If AutoPlay doesn’t pop up, open the drive in File Explorer and select the burn option from the drive tools toolbar.
3. Type a disc title, then choose Like a USB flash drive to add or erase files later, or With a CD/DVD player for maximum compatibility.
4. Drag the files into the disc folder.
5. Click Burn to disc and follow the prompts until the burn completes.

That’s the entire built-in route: a data disc any computer can read, free of charge. The limitation is that it only stores files—it cannot encode video into the Blu-ray movie format or build a chapter menu.

Authoring Software For Movie Blu-rays

A movie Blu-ray must be authored—not just burned. Dedicated software encodes video, creates menus, and writes the disc in the format players expect. The table below shows current options with vendor-listed prices.

Nero Burning ROM is the classic Windows choice for one tool across data, audio, and video projects. NCH’s Express Burn is the notable dual-platform option, recording discs under Windows or Mac. Leawo Blu-ray Creator offers strong authoring features but gates them behind a subscription or one-time license.

Most authoring programs follow the same core workflow, which Leawo’s procedure demonstrates: add source videos or photos, choose the Blu-ray output type, quality, and aspect ratio, set the disc label and destination under Burn to and Save to, then click Burn. The software encodes and writes the disc; a finished BD-R presents its menu in a Blu-ray player.

One caveat about trials: Leawo’s free version never expires but burns only the first five minutes of each video—enough to test the workflow, not burn a full movie. Promotional prices change regularly, so check vendor pages before buying.

The decision is short. For archiving files, skip paid software and use Windows’ free burner. Buy an authoring tool only for a menu-driven video disc—and either way, start with a Blu-ray writer that matches the job.