Nero for Windows

Nero is a family of Windows programs from Nero AG, built around Nero Burning ROM, a disc authoring tool first released in 1997. The version listed on this page, 3.2.14.0, is the Microsoft Store app of Nero Burning ROM, which works by subscription. People download Nero to burn data, music and video to CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, or to write disc images.

What Nero is today

For many PC users, the name Nero is linked with the era of CD burners, when Nero Burning ROM was the program that came with almost every drive. The core idea has not changed: you choose a disc type, drag files into a compilation and write it, with control over speed, file system, multisession and verification afterwards. Nero also creates and burns disc images, copies discs, and makes audio CDs from music files with automatic normalisation. Over the years the company also released tools for video editing, media playback, backup and file recovery. They are separate products with their own plans; the Store app described here is the burning program itself, installed and updated through the Microsoft Store.

Key features

• Burning data, audio and video discs, including Blu-ray.
• Creating and writing disc images.
• Disc copying and verification.
• Audio CD creation from music files.
• Burning settings for speed, file system and multisession.

System requirements

Nero recommends a 2 GHz AMD or Intel processor, 1 GB RAM and 5 GB hard drive space for a typical installation of all components. Windows 10 64 bit and Windows 11 64 bit are recommended; on 64-bit systems some applications run in 32-bit emulation mode. Needed components such as Microsoft .NET or DirectX are included or downloaded during setup. See the official requirements. A disc writer is required for burning.

How to install

1. Open the official Nero downloads page.
2. Choose Nero Burning ROM, or install it from the Microsoft Store.
3. Run the installer and select only the components you need.
4. Sign in and activate your subscription.

The Store package is about 65.2 MB according to catalogue data.

Price

Nero Burning ROM from the Microsoft Store is paid software sold by subscription; current prices are on nero.com.

Safety

Avoid cracked Nero copies from warez sites, which are a well-known malware carrier. Burning disc images from unknown sources carries the same risks as running their files.

Pros and cons

• Pro: mature, reliable burning engine.
• Pro: detailed control over disc settings.
• Pro: handles CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs in one program.
• Con: subscription only, while free burners exist.
• Con: large and complex installation.
• Con: fewer people use optical discs today.

Alternatives

UltraISO on our site creates and edits disc images, and Rufus writes bootable USB drives, which have replaced discs for many tasks.