Can't Delete from CD-RW
Whenever I try to delete a file (or folder) from my CD-RW disk, I get an error message saying the file cannot be deleted because it is read-only. Changing the attribute doesn't help because the "read only" designation is automatically restored. Is there some way around this? I've been told you can't delete an individual file, you must erase the entire disk. Is that true?

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Unfortunately, yes... If you use Windows XP's built-in CD burning software, you cannot delete or rename individual files on a CD-RW disk. Your only recourse is to erase and re-burn the entire disk. See this page for more information:
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;324129
But there are CD burning software packages that allow you to edit, delete and rename individual files on a CD-RW disk. Check into Roxio and Nero for their popular CD burning software offerings.
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Posted by Bob Rankin on August 21, 2005 04:00 PM
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- Can't Delete from CD-RW (Posted: August 21, 2005 04:00 PM)
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Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved

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Most recent comments on "Can't Delete from CD-RW"
Posted by:
Legolas
24 Aug 2005
Roxio and Nero do this through what is called 'packet writing' (which means you can add files to a CD later, a bit like closing the seesion ans leaving the disk open for normal CD writing). And they to can't erase files of a disk, however, they write a mark that the file is deleted and don't show it anymore... It's not gone and can be recovered easily though.
Posted by:
Luigino
29 Aug 2005
Packet writing allows you to write to a CD (not only CDRW, also normal CDs) somewhat like a floppy. It's useful for little "on-the-fly" storage, but as Legolas wrote, deleted files are not really deleted, and you can't recover disk space occupied by them. So, the available space can be easily over.
It's not a hard problem, as CDs are very cheap, and on the other hand you can erase a CDRW for a new session.
But, take care: "formatting" a CD for a packet session require little time (a few seconds), while formatting so a CDRW may be a pain (depending on the driver speed, also HOURS!!).
More: if you don't leave a 20-25Mb of spare space, you can't "close" the session on a packet writing formatted CD, making the CD readable on all CD readers. It'll be readable only on the proprietary drive or... other CD writers... that's at least what SHOULD be: I found sometimes problems on CD not "closed", also in MY driver.
AND, if something goes wrong, the CD could be definitely GONE, also a CDRW! In other words, you may have an useless unerasable CDRW.
In conclusion: packet writing on CDs can be useful for little storage of data; I feel this should be more usable on DVD writing.
Posted by:
Gayda
10 Nov 2005
I have Nero Express 6 and I cannot erase a file nor can I place a single file into a folder. Nor can I do editing of the document yet I'm using RW CDs.
I have been trying to find out why I'm having these problems by retrieving the Manual on Nero's disk as well as there website but it's in PS 6 SE [V-Box] program that I cannot purchase from Broderbund. It's not available and was told to purchase their PS 21. This does not work for the Nero Manual.
Help! Thanks!
Posted by:
Tom
15 Dec 2005
Right click on the drive containing the CD and select the option 'Erase CD RW' from list.
EDITOR'S NOTE: That should work to erase ALL the files on the disk. But I believe the original question was concerning how to erase a single file from a CDRW disk.
Posted by:
lavanya
22 Nov 2007
Thanks!!!!!!!!!! thankfully your answer opened on the first page on google, and i did the needful.
Posted by:
Glitch
05 Dec 2007
I was Burning a movie using DVD Flick and Img Burner,For some odd reason I got an error,So I've to stop the burning process,How can I delete/re-use the same disk again? I'm using DVD-R Disks.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Chances are the disk is ruined. DVD-R is write-once. With a DVD-RW you could probably do it.
Posted by:
Tonny
05 Jan 2009
To erase files from a CD rewritable disc:
Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
In My Computer, right-click the CD recording drive, and then click Open. Windows displays a temporary storage area where files are held before they are copied to the CD. Files or folders that are located in the temporary storage area are listed in the Files Ready to Be Written to the CD box.
In the CD Writing Tasks pane, click Erase this CD-RW. The Welcome to the CD Writing Wizard dialog box is displayed. After you click Next, the Erasing the CD dialog box is displayed and the progress bar displays the progress of the process.
When the process is finished, you receive a message in the notification area and you can use the CD-RW disc.Note: Not all CDs are erasable. If the CD that you are using is not erasable, for example, then this feature is not available.
Posted by:
sLIDE SIDE
17 May 2009
@Tonny are you some kind of...stupid or what >??
you cant do that because, every time you do that you will receive a message saying the File or Folder cannot be deleted because it is read-only.
Pls. if you really want to help post a correct and useful solution and don't be STUPID !!
Microsoft already recognize the error in the systems...... it his fault.