Windows 11 can copy (“rip”) music from audio CDs to your PC with the built-in Media Player app, no extra software needed. You can choose the audio format and quality, and the songs land in your Music folder ready to play or copy to a phone. This guide walks through ripping a CD, choosing formats, using the legacy Windows Media Player, and fixing common problems.
Quick Answer
Insert the audio CD, open the Media Player app, select the CD in the left pane, and click Rip CD. Change the format and quality first in Media Player > Settings > Ripping (or similar options). Ripped songs are saved to your Music folder.
What You Need
- A CD or DVD drive. Most new PCs don’t have one; an inexpensive external USB drive works fine.
- The audio CD.
- An internet connection (optional) to fetch album and track names.
Step 1: Choose the Format and Quality
- Open Media Player from the Start menu.
- Click Settings (the gear, bottom-left).
- Under the ripping settings, choose:
- Format: common choices include AAC, MP3, WMA, and lossless options like FLAC or WAV, depending on your app version.
- Bit rate (for lossy formats): 256 kbps or higher is a good balance of quality and size.
- Rip location: by default, your Music folder.
Step 2: Rip the CD
- Insert the CD. If an AutoPlay prompt appears, choose Media Player or close it.
- In Media Player, click the CD (for example, Audio CD (D:)) in the left pane.
- Check that the album and track names are correct. If they show as “Unknown,” you can edit them after ripping.
- Click Rip CD. Progress appears next to each track.
- When finished, find the songs in Music library or File Explorer > Music.
Option: Legacy Windows Media Player
Windows 11 still includes the classic player, which offers more ripping control:
- Search Start for Windows Media Player Legacy (under Windows Tools).
- Insert the CD; it appears in the left pane.
- Click Rip settings to choose Format (WMA, MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and more) and Audio Quality.
- Uncheck any tracks you don’t want, then click Rip CD.
If it’s missing, add it in Settings > Apps > Optional features > View features and search for Windows Media Player Legacy.
Which Format Should You Choose?
| Format | Quality | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Lossy | Maximum compatibility with devices and cars |
| AAC | Lossy, efficient | Phones and Apple devices |
| FLAC | Lossless | Archiving at full CD quality with smaller files than WAV |
| WAV | Uncompressed | Editing; very large files and limited tag support |
Troubleshooting
- CD not detected: check the drive appears in File Explorer, try another USB port for external drives, and clean the disc.
- Rip fails or skips tracks: scratched discs cause errors. Clean the CD and try again, or use the legacy player’s error correction option.
- Album info missing: make sure you’re online; edit names manually by right-clicking the album or track and choosing Edit info.
- Copy-protected CDs: some discs use copy protection and may not rip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ripping CDs legal?
Laws vary by country. In many places, copying CDs you own for personal use is allowed or tolerated, but distributing copies isn’t. Check your local laws.
How long does ripping take?
Usually 5 to 10 minutes per CD, depending on drive speed and format.
Can I rip DVDs the same way?
No. Windows doesn’t include DVD ripping tools, and most commercial DVDs are copy-protected.
Summary
- Insert the CD and open Media Player.
- Set the format and quality in Settings.
- Select the CD and click Rip CD.
- Find songs in your Music folder, or use Windows Media Player Legacy for more options.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.