Most modern laptops no longer include CD or DVD drives, which can be a challenge if you have music CDs, movie DVDs, software installation discs, or backup data on physical media. The good news is that there are several straightforward ways to access your discs, whether you need them occasionally or you're looking for modern digital alternatives that make physical discs unnecessary.
This guide covers how to use CDs and DVDs on a computer without a built-in drive, as well as the digital alternatives most people are moving towards in 2026.
How to access CDs and DVDs without a disk drive (quick answer)
You have four main options:
- Use an external USB optical drive, the most direct solution for occasional use
- Rip CDs and DVDs to digital files you can store on your computer or in the cloud
- Share a drive over your network if another computer has one
- Use digital alternatives, streaming services, digital game stores, and cloud storage often replace the need for discs entirely
The right choice depends on how often you use discs, what type of content you have, and whether you want to keep physical media long-term.
Why modern laptops don't have disk drives
Optical drives have almost completely disappeared from laptops over the past decade, for several reasons:
- Most content is now available digitally through streaming, downloads, or cloud services
- Cloud storage has replaced physical media for backups
- Removing the drive allows for thinner, lighter designs
- Battery life improves without powering optical hardware
- SSDs and USB storage are faster and more reliable than discs
For occasional disc use, external drives remain the most practical solution. For everyday use, digital alternatives are usually more convenient.
Method 1: Use an external USB optical drive
External optical drives are affordable, portable, and work with almost any laptop or desktop via USB.
What to look for when buying
- USB type: USB-A works with most computers, USB-C is common on newer laptops
- Media support: CD-only, DVD, or Blu-ray. Verify what you need to play
- Read vs read/write: read-only drives play discs, read/write drives can also burn discs
- Power source: most drives are bus-powered through USB, some require an external power adapter
- Speed rating: important if you plan to rip large collections
How to connect and use
- Plug the drive into an available USB port
- Wait for Windows or macOS to install the drivers automatically
- Insert your disc
- The drive should appear in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS)
- Access the disc contents as you would any other drive
For occasional use, an entry-level external DVD drive costs about the same as a couple of streaming subscriptions. For Blu-ray or heavy use, more capable models offer faster speeds and support for newer disc formats.
Method 2: Rip your CDs and DVDs to digital files
Ripping means copying the contents of a disc to your computer as digital files. This is useful for building a personal library that doesn't depend on the physical disc.
Legal considerations
Before ripping any disc, be aware of the legal context:
- Personal audio CDs: in most countries, ripping CDs you own for personal use is generally accepted
- DVDs and Blu-rays often include digital rights management (DRM) protection. In New Zealand and many other countries, bypassing DRM to make copies (even for personal use) may be illegal under copyright law. This includes the Copyright Act 1994 and its subsequent amendments
- Home videos and personal recordings: always legal to rip
- Software installation discs you own: generally allowed for personal backup
If you are unsure about a specific type of content, check the current copyright rules in your region.
Software options for CDs (audio)
Modern software options for ripping audio CDs:
- Windows Media Player (built into Windows 10)
- Media Player (the modern app in Windows 11)
- Apple Music (formerly iTunes on macOS)
- iTunes for Windows (still available, though legacy)
- Third-party tools like Exact Audio Copy for higher-quality rips
Software options for personal DVDs
For home-recorded DVDs or unprotected content, standard media players and file explorer will let you copy the files directly. For commercial DVDs with DRM, the legal landscape varies by country, so approach carefully.
Once ripped, you can:
- Store the files on your computer
- Move them to an external hard drive or SSD
- Upload them to cloud storage
- Access them from your phone or tablet
Method 3: Share a drive over your network
If you have another computer in your home with an optical drive, you can share it across your network. This works well when disc access is occasional.
On Windows
- On the computer with the drive, open File Explorer
- Right-click the optical drive
- Select Give access to, then Specific people
- Choose the users who need access and set permissions
- On the other computer, connect to the shared drive through the network
On macOS
macOS includes a Remote Disc feature that lets Macs share optical drives across the same network. Enable CD/DVD sharing in System Settings on the computer with the drive.
Network drive sharing works well for family setups, small offices, or classrooms where one machine has a drive and others don't.
Method 4: Digital alternatives that make discs unnecessary
For many use cases, digital services have replaced physical discs entirely. This is often the most practical option in 2026.
Music
Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal offer libraries of tens of millions of songs. For music you already own on CD, most streaming services let you build playlists that replicate your physical collection.
If you prefer ownership, digital music stores like Bandcamp, 7Digital, or Qobuz let you buy tracks and albums outright, often in higher quality than CDs.
Movies and TV shows
Streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and others) offer huge libraries. For films not available on streaming, digital rental and purchase through platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google TV provide alternatives to physical DVDs and Blu-rays.
Games
Digital game stores have almost completely replaced physical game discs:
- Steam: the largest PC game library
- GOG: DRM-free games, many older titles preserved
- Epic Games Store: newer releases and regular free games
- Xbox Store on PC: Microsoft and Xbox Game Pass titles
- Ubisoft Connect and EA App: publisher-specific launchers
For classic games no longer sold digitally, community archives and re-releases through GOG often provide legal ways to access old titles.
Software installation
Almost all modern software installs through downloads rather than discs:
- HP Support Assistant for HP drivers and updates
- Windows Update for Microsoft software
- Microsoft Store for many applications
- Direct downloads from software publisher websites
If you have an old software disc, the developer's website usually offers the latest version as a download.
Cloud storage instead of backup discs
Cloud services replace disc-based backups with continuous, automatic backups:
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Google Drive
- Apple iCloud
- Dropbox
- Backblaze (dedicated backup service)
Cloud storage is more reliable, easier to access from multiple devices, and less prone to physical damage.
When to buy an external drive vs use alternatives
A quick decision guide.
Buy an external drive if
- You have a substantial collection of CDs, DVDs, or Blu-rays you use regularly
- You need to install software from old discs occasionally
- You want to rip your collection to build a digital library
- You share the drive across multiple family members or a household
Skip the external drive if
- You only need a disc once every few years
- You can borrow one from a friend or family member for occasional use
- Your content is available through streaming or digital purchase
- You have already backed up your important files to the cloud
Consider a hybrid approach
- Buy an external drive once to rip everything you own
- Store the digital files in the cloud
- Sell or store the physical discs and return the drive
- Use streaming and digital purchases for future content
How to store your ripped files efficiently
Once you've ripped your discs, file storage matters.
Choose the right format
- Music: FLAC for maximum quality, MP3 or AAC for smaller size
- Movies: MP4 or MKV are the most widely compatible modern formats
- Photos and documents: standard formats like JPEG and PDF work universally
Compress large files
Video files can be several gigabytes each. Modern codecs like H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 offer significantly better compression than older formats without sacrificing quality.
Backup your digital library
- Keep one copy on your main computer
- Save a second copy on an external drive
- Consider cloud storage for a third copy
The 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite) applies just as well to ripped media as to any other important files.
Organise your files
- Music: sort by artist, then album
- Movies: sort by title and year
- TV shows: sort by show, then season
- Photos: sort by year and event
Media library apps like Plex, Emby, or Jellyfin can automatically catalogue your ripped content and stream it to your phone, tablet, or TV.
FAQs
Do I need an external drive if I have discs I use once a year?
Probably not. Consider borrowing one, using a library, or asking a friend with a drive for occasional access. If your discs contain content you can find digitally, the digital version is usually the easier option.
Are external Blu-ray drives worth it?
Only if you have a Blu-ray collection you use regularly. Standard DVD external drives are significantly cheaper and cover the most common use cases.
Can I use an external drive with a Chromebook?
Modern Chromebooks support USB external drives, including many optical drives. Support has improved significantly in recent years, though some drives may require specific compatibility. Check the manufacturer's specifications.
Is it legal to rip DVDs I own?
The answer varies by country. In New Zealand, copyright law includes provisions about circumventing technological protection measures. For personal audio CDs, ripping is generally accepted. For DRM-protected DVDs and Blu-rays, the situation is more complex. When in doubt, check the current legal position in your region.
What's the best digital alternative to physical media?
For most people: streaming services for music, movies, and TV; Steam or similar stores for games; cloud storage for backups. This combination replaces most reasons to own physical media.
Will optical discs completely disappear?
Physical optical media are declining but still exist for specific use cases, such as archival storage, some regional releases, and collector editions. However, digital delivery has become the standard for most content.
Can I connect my smartphone to my computer to transfer files instead of using discs?
Yes. Modern phones can connect via USB or wireless to transfer photos, music, videos, and documents. For a step-by-step guide, see our article on how to connect your phone to a computer.
Explore HP laptops and accessories
If you're setting up a new computer, HP offers a wide range of laptops across the OmniBook, OMEN, Spectre, and ZBook lines, along with accessories including external drives and storage solutions.
Visit HP New Zealand to explore current options.
Final thoughts
While CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays are less central to computing than they once were, plenty of people still have collections worth preserving or content that isn't available digitally. External drives remain the most practical way to access discs occasionally, ripping helps preserve your library for the long term, and modern digital alternatives increasingly make physical media unnecessary.
The best approach depends on your habits: if you use discs frequently, an external drive is a small investment that pays off quickly. If you only need occasional access, borrowing a drive or using digital alternatives usually makes more sense.
Visit our HP Tech Takes Blog for more practical guides on getting the best from your computer.
