How to Copy Music from CD to USB

This wikiHow teaches you how to transfer or copy music from a CD to a USB flash drive using your computer.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Windows PC

  1. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 1
    1
    Insert the CD into your computer. Place the CD into the disc drive slot. You may need to touch a button on the side to open the drive.
    • If you do not have a disc drive on your computer, use an external drive. You may have to purchase one separately. You can connect it to a USB port on your computer.
  2. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 2
    2
    Open Windows Media Player. Search for it in the start menu by clicking the search or the windows icon and typing "Windows Media Player".
    • If you prefer, you can use iTunes instead.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 3
    3
    Click on Rip settings and select More options.... This is in the top right corner.
  4. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 4
    4
    Specify a folder to save the music to. Click Change in the "Rip Music" tab and choose a location on your computer.
  5. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 5
    5
    Change the format. Under "Format" in the "Rip Music" tab, click on the drop-down and select a format.
    • If you are unsure which format to use, select MP3. This is to ensure the best compatibility across music players.
  6. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 6
    6
    Click OK. This saves the settings.
  7. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 7
    7
    Click Rip CD. This is in the top right corner. The music will start ripping automatically and will save to your specified folder when finished[1] .
  8. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 8
    8
    Insert the USB drive into your computer. Place the drive into a USB port.
  9. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 9
    9
    Open File Explorer
    Windows File Explorer
    .     Hold ⊞ Win+E to open File Explorer, or look for the folder icon on your desktop or taskbar.
  10. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 10
    10
    Click on the folder you chose to save the ripped music to. Use the search bar at the top to find the folder if you cannot remember where it is.
  11. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 11
    11
    Select the music you wish to copy. Click on the file or folder.
    • To select multiple files or folders, hold down Ctrl while clicking each file or folder.
  12. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 12
    12
    Hit Ctrl+C. This copies the files.
    • Alternatively, you can right-click on one of the selected files or folders and select Copy.
    • If you wish to move the music over to the USB and take it off the CD, hold Ctrl+X instead, or select Cut instead of Copy.
  13. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 13
    13
    Click on the USB drive folder in the left panel to open. Look for the drive that has the USB icon, which looks like a 3-pronged fork.
  14. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 14
    14
    Hit Ctrl+V. This pastes the files into the USB drive's folders.
    • Alternatively, right-click in the window and select Paste.
    • If you wish to place the music in a certain folder, open the folder first by double-clicking on it, then paste the files.
    15. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using a Mac

  1. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 15
    1
    Insert the CD into your computer. Place the CD into the disc drive slot.
    • If you do not have a disc drive on your computer, use an external drive. You may have to purchase one separately. You can connect it to a USB port on your computer.
  2. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 16
    2
    Open iTunes. Look for the icon on your desktop, which looks like a musical note.
  3. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 17
    3
    Click on the CD icon and select Import CD. This can be found near the top of the window.
  4. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 18
    4
    Change the format. Under "Format" in the "Rip Music" tab, click on the drop-down and select a format.
    • If you are unsure which format to use, select MP3. This is to ensure the best compatibility across music players.
  5. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 19
    5
    Click OK. This will start ripping the CD.
  6. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 20
    6
    Go to the album in your iTunes library. Click Albums in the left and click on the album.
  7. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 21
    7
    Click on a song and click File. This is in the top left.
  8. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 22
    8
    Select Show in Finder. This will open the album in Finder.
  9. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 23
    9
    Insert the USB drive into your computer. Place the drive into a USB port.
  10. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 24
    10
    Select the music you wish to copy. Click on the file or folder while still in Finder.
    • To select multiple files or folders, hold ⌘ Command while clicking each file or folder.
  11. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 25
    11
    Hit ⌘ Command+C. This copies the files.
    • Alternatively, you can click Edit when a file or folder is highlighted select Copy.
    • If you wish to move the music over to the USB and take it off the CD, hold ⌘ Command+X instead, or select Cut instead of Copy.
  12. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 26
    12
    Double-click the USB drive icon on your desktop. This launches the USB drive folder window.
  13. Image titled Copy Music from CD to USB Step 27
    13
    Hit ⌘ Command+V. This pastes the files into the USB drive's folders.
    • Alternatively, click Edit then select Paste.
    14. Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Restart Your Computer Using the Keyboard
How to
Restart Your Computer Using the Keyboard
Check Browsing History on a WiFi Router
How to
Check Browsing History on a WiFi Router
Find the Publication Date of a Website
How to
Find the Publication Date of a Website
Connect PC to TV with HDMI
How to
Connect PC to TV with HDMI
Open a Digital Safe Without a Key
How to
Open a Digital Safe Without a Key
Listen to Police RadioHow to Listen to Police Radio Online: Best Apps & Websites
Hack a Computer
How to
Hack a Computer
Read Dump FilesEasy Ways to Read Crash Dump Files & Troubleshoot Crashes
Tell if Your Mac Is Too Old to Update
How to
Tell if Your Mac Is Too Old to Update
What Does DW MeanWhat Does DW Mean? Snapchat, Texting, and More
Create a Desktop Shortcut
How to
Create a Desktop Shortcut
Guess a PasswordHow to Guess a Password
Find My Apple PencilSimple Ways to Find a Lost Apple Pencil with Your iPad
Turn on Keyboard Light LenovoHow to Turn on Backlit Keyboard on Lenovo
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-nz/help/15062/windows-burn-rip-cds

About This Article

KD
Written by:
Katie Double
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Katie Double. Katie Double is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has over five years of experience in technical support, IT process analysis, and quantitative research. Katie loves exploring the application of various technological tools, from data analysis and visualization to music production and performance. Though originally from Denver, Colorado, she currently resides in New Zealand. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder. This article has been viewed 145,460 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: April 14, 2020
Views: 145,460
Categories: Computers and Electronics
Article SummaryX

1. Place the CD and the USB drive into your computer.
2. Rip the music from the CD to your computer using Windows Media Player or iTunes.
2. Open your CD drive's folder.
3. Select the music you wish to copy and hit CTRL + C (Command + C on a Mac).
4. Open your USB drive's folder.
5. Hit CTRL + V (Command + V on a Mac).

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement