# Can a PC read a CD made on a Mac? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 17, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-pc-read-a-cd-made-on-a-mac/571661 "2011-02-17T02:54:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-pc-read-a-cd-made-on-a-mac/571661/1 "2011-02-17T02:54:33Z")
I have a Mac. I run Apple programs (obviously), and I run MS-DOS and Windows programs using Boxer and Crossover. My brother only has PCs. I want to put some files (.zip files of DOS and Windows programs) on a CD and give them to him. Will he be able to use the disc or does something else need to happen for it to work? I know my Mac can read discs made on a PC but I don’t know that it will work the other way. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-pc-read-a-cd-made-on-a-mac/571661/2 "2011-02-17T03:03:04Z")
Yes, assuming the Mac is reasonably modern; it should actually say so on the “burn” dialog. Put the files you want to give him in a folder. Insert a blank CD/DVD Right-click on the folder and select “Burn files to disk.” The resulting dialog should say something like “the files can be read on a Windows or Macintosh computer.” ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-pc-read-a-cd-made-on-a-mac/571661/3 "2011-02-17T03:07:27Z")
Excellent. Thanks!