Writing data on CDs or DVDs is a job for specialized software and among the most well-known brands in the business Nero definitely stands out. This particular edition is special because it comes cost free, but also without many of the tools included the full suite.

Installation shouldn’t be too difficult, however you have to be extra careful and pay attention at the third-party code included in the package. Also, please note that the setup will take a while until it successfully copies and installs the files on your computer.

If you used Nero in the past, everything is straightforward. It has a pleasant and clean interface, with the main functions displayed at the top of the main window on tabs.

The functions you can use are not so many, in fact, the free edition only offers basic data copying and burning features. Just pick the files you want to copy on a disc, make the final adjustments, for burning speed and disc name and you’re ready to go.

As with the other editions of Nero, you will still be able to create disc images, that is add files to a compilation and select the 'Image Recorder' as the destination drive to create an NRG image.

During our tests the discs were created promptly and with no errors. If the speed doesn't meet your expectations, keep in mind that the overall time that a compilation is burned in depends on a variety things. To name some, the optical drive and discs you use, the amount of data to be written and the speed at which you want the process to be carried out.

Even though a bit heavy on resources and with a lengthy install for what it brings to the table, the free edition of Nero offers exactly what one would need to create discs in no time. For anyone who only needs to create CDs and DVDs on the fly, this application might be the right answer.