How to copy a DVD to another DVD using a single DVD drive?

Here’s the quandary:

You need to duplicate a DVD but you only have one DVD drive.  How can you clone the DVD?

I can bark off a queue of DVD programs out there that are fit for the task; however, there’s an easier way to accomplish this without using any auxiliary software.  There’s no need to download spyware suffused software or procure specialized programs such as Nero or Roxio.  Wait, sometimes there you need to download burning software replete with junkware; however, I’ll show you how to navigate the mess near the end of this article.

The DVD stuff is built-in

Windows 8.1, 8 and 7 have an integrated DVD burning solution.  Admittedly, it’s a rudimentary program, but I actually find the dearth of options refreshing because it quickly lets me burn what I need without confusion.

First, copy all the files from your source DVD to a new folder on your desktop.  I created a simple folder called Files to Burn and dropped a few items inside.

Then pop in a blank DVD and wait a few seconds for the Windows AutoPlay feature to detect it.

If AutoPlay doesn’t appear in 10 seconds, open Windows Explorer (Windows Key + e) and click the DVD drive in the left pane under Computer.

In Windows 7, Autoplay looks like this:

Choose Burn files to disc then give the disc a title and choose With a CD/DVD player.

I now empower you to drag and drop your files from your Desktop folder into the DVD burning window that shows desktop.ini.

Click the Burn to disc button and you should be all set.

This works best for files, photos, music and videos but isn’t ideal if you’re trying to make a bootable DVD or copy a non-commercial movie.  In that case, you should use imgburn.

Heat it up with Imgburn

ImgBurn let’s you burn HD DVDs, Blu-ray discs and supports numerous file formats and types.  Get the latest version from the download page, install it and get going.

With ImgBurn you can easily rip the DVD to an ISO and then burn that ISO to a second disc; unfortunately, you need to be circumspect on how your download and install this program or you could unwittingly install spyware on your computer.

Pay attention to two things:

• The download page
• The installation wizard

On the download page, ignore all the ads and superfluous links and select a Mirror (aka: file server) from the center of the page.

Then you’ll see a bunch of crap designed to forestall your effort to download the real program.

Ignore the obnoxious green download button in the screen center (it’s an advertisement) and choose the smaller one in the bottom right corner highlighted below:

Okay so we’re out of the weed there.

Now in the installation wizard, accept the license agreement, default components and destination; however watch for spyware as you approach the sixth screen.

Say no to the gratuitous program called Conduit Search Protect.  Ignore the recommended option and choose Custom installation (advanced).  Make sure you uncheck the “Install Conduit Search Protect” box before you click Next.

Stuff like this makes my blood boil and my skin bristle because I hate it how these software distributors make it so easy to fortuitously install junkware… so annoying.

Anyway, do the same thing for Tuneup Utilities

That should mark the end of this vendors Draconian tricks and everything should complete smoothly.

Now you can easily create an ISO image from the source disc and then burn that image to a new DVD… all using a single DVD burner.

Please let me know if this helped you in the comments below! Thanks