Check if CD/DVD is Finalized

Question

Is there a simple way to check if re-writable media has been finalized? So far the only recommendations I can find suggest that I attempt to start another write session using the disc and if it fails assume it is finalized.

Solution 1

Check the drive properties in File Explorer. If the Free Space shows as 0, then the disc is finalized. If the Free Space > 0, then the disc is not finalized.

Solution 2

InfraRecorder will show you information about the media in a drive.

Actions > Disc Information > (choose a removable drive)

Here is what you can expect to see:

Blank

Burned in Windows Explorer (Windows 7, not finalized)

Burned in InfraRecorder (Session-At-Once, Closed)

Comments

[Admin]

A disc-burning application, such as the free (and portable) InfraRecorder, will tell you the disc status, if Windows doesn't tell you. You don't need to attempt to burn anything.

[Admin]

@AFH - I'd like to do this through the OS if possible without having to install 3rd party SW.

[Admin]

I presumed you had already tried DVD->Properties from explorer. The reason third-party applications exist is because there are lots of things that Windows doesn't do. If you use the portable version, you won't have to install anything.

[Admin]

Third-party apps really are necessary here. Windows does a poor job of burning disks; for instance, adding "desktop.ini", and not finalizing disks after burning, even if you select the "With a CD/DVD player (Mastered) option.

[iAdjunct]

People at our company have brought up an edge case where this may not work: where it rounds down to 0 Bytes available. Do you know a way that doesn't have this issue? (I'm trying to find the pedantic solution to tell them "this is what your policy should be")

[JonathanDavidArndt]

@iAdjunct InfraRecorder can provide disc information on whether disc is incomplete/closed: superuser.com/a/1611322/243707