Vista lets you copy data to writable CDs without installing third party software. By default, all users that log onto the computer can copy their data to CD. If multiple users share a single computer, the ability to burn CDs can be limited to administrative users only.

Administrators can prevent users from burning CDs by editing the local policy. Open the Group Policy Editor (click Start, type gpedit.msc in the Search field and press Enter) and expand User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Explorer. In the details pane double click the Remove CD Burning Features option. Click Enabled and click OK.

Once this setting is enabled, all CD burning features will be removed from Windows Explorer and non-administrative users will no longer be able to burn CDs. Keep in mind that this does not apply to any third party CD burning software.

[tags]vista, windows[/tags]