How to Use CDs and DVDs on a Computer With No Hard Disk Drive
When was the last time you needed to play a CD or DVD on your computer? While you may not have to do this as often as you once did, it’s also the only way to access certain games, albums, or movies. If the media isn’t available digitally, a disk is your best option. Alternatively, you may have backed up some of your files to a disk at some point and need to access them again.
If your computer has an internal optical drive, then you have nothing to worry about – but what do you do if it doesn’t have one? In this guide, we’ll give you the facts on how to play a DVD or CD on a desktop PC or laptop with no disk drive.
What happened to disk drives?
Nearly all modern PCs lack disk drives. This is especially true for laptops, which have to make the best use of their space to deliver a truly portable computing experience. Computer manufacturers started to move away from internal drives for a number of reasons, including the fact that people began to access media in other ways, such as downloads and digital streaming.
Plus, with external and cloud storage options becoming more affordable, it may not make sense for you to buy a computer with an optical drive for the sole purpose of creating backup files.
How to play DVDs on a laptop without a DVD drive
You have a disk you’re ready to play, but your laptop has no DVD drive. Now what? The following options can get you access to your media quickly and affordably. Here are a couple of solutions for how to play a DVD on a laptop without a disk drive. These tips work for desktop PCs, too.
1. Use an external DVD drive
External DVD drives are affordable and plug-and-play ready. Simply connect one to your computer through an available USB slot, wait for the installer to finish, and you’re ready to go. Many external drives also support the playback of Blu-ray discs, making them a versatile choice for media enthusiasts.
When shopping for an external drive, keep these tips in mind:
- Check the specs to see which types of media it can play (CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.).
- Some drives are read-only, while others can also write/burn disks
- Verify compatibility with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Chrome OS)
- Consider portability if you plan to use it with multiple devices
For those who prefer watching DVDs and Blu-rays on their computers, investing in Blu-ray player software can be beneficial. This software not only supports various media formats but also offers functionalities like screencasting to TVs.
2. Create ISO files for virtual disks
If you want to play games or access other disk content without needing an external drive in the future, you can create ISO files that live on your desktop. An ISO file is an exact copy of a CD or DVD that you can mount as a virtual drive.
To create an ISO file:
- Connect an external drive and insert your disk
- Use disk imaging software to create an ISO file (e.g. ImgBurn, PowerISO)
- Save the ISO file to your computer’s hard drive
- Use Windows’ built-in tools or third-party software to mount the ISO as a virtual drive
This method allows you to play games that require disk validation without needing the physical disk or external drive.
3. Rip files from CDs, DVDs, or Blu-rays with DVD playback software
While using your external drive, consider using DVD ripping software to “rip” the data from your favorite disks to create digital copies for future use. There are many software tools that make this easy, including:
- iTunes for audio CDs
- Windows Media Player for audio CDs and some video DVDs
- Handbrake for video DVDs and Blu-rays (requires libdvdcss for copy-protected disks)
Ripping files allows you to manage multiple CDs digitally, making it easier to organize and access your media.
Keep in mind that ripping copy-protected movies may be restricted in some regions. Always respect copyright laws when making personal backups.
4. Share CD and DVD drives over a network
If you have another computer on your network with an optical drive, you can share that drive to access it from your disk-free PC:
For Windows:
- On the computer with the optical drive, right-click the drive in File Explorer
- Choose “Properties” then the “Sharing” tab
- Click “Advanced Sharing” and check “Share this folder”
- Set permissions for the user groups you want to have access
For macOS:
- On the Mac with the optical drive, go to System Preferences > Sharing
- Check “DVD or CD Sharing”
- On the remote Mac, the shared drive will appear in the Finder sidebar
Alternatives to physical media
While these methods can help you access disk content, consider these alternatives for the future:
- Digital downloads: Purchase games, music, and movies from online stores
- Streaming services: Subscribe to services like Spotify, Netflix, or game streaming platforms
- Cloud storage: Back up important files to cloud services for easy access
- USB flash drives: Use USB drives for portable file storage and sharing
Understanding personal finance can help you make informed decisions about investing in digital media and storage options.
Summary
Whether you’re a collector of classic PC games or you need to access old photo files from a CD, it’s likely you’ll need to watch DVDs or use a disk at some point. With more laptops and PCs omitting optical drives, knowing these workarounds ensures you don’t lose money by being unable to access your important data.
As media continues to evolve, there will be fewer CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays in circulation. However, understanding how to handle them remains an important skill, especially for collectors and archivists who may need to access media that’s not available in digital formats. Finding suitable DVD playback software is crucial for those looking to enjoy their DVD collections without complications.
By utilizing external drives, creating virtual disks, or embracing digital alternatives, you can ensure you always have access to your important data and media, regardless of your computer’s built-in capabilities. These methods not only help you access your physical media but also protect your valuable data and memories for years to come.
