Source and destination file names are the same when burning disc

In this post, we will show you how to fix disc error Source and destination file names are the same. when burning a disc. A few users have reported that they are not able to burn files to a disc (CD/DVD) due to a message that appears when they try to execute the burn command after dragging the files to the drive icon on their Windows 11/10 PC. The complete error message says:

The source and destination file names are the same.

This means that the source file path and the destination file path are exactly the same, which also means that the source file and destination file both exist simultaneously, so you can’t use the same file name for the source and the destination. If you’ve encountered the same error and want to know how to resolve the same, then read this post to know some effective troubleshooting options.

Fix Source and destination file names are the same when burning disc

Start by using an alternate method to burn the disc. If you’re trying to burn to the CD/DVD using the Finish burning option within the Manage tab under Drive Tools in the File Explorer window, try using the context menu option instead. Double-click on the disc icon in the left panel of File Explorer. Then in the right panel, you will see the file name under Files Ready to be Written to the Disc section. Right-click on the file name and select the Burn to disc option. If you still get the error, we recommend the following solutions to resolve the source and destination file names are the same error while burning files to a disc on Windows 11/10 PC:

1. Check the disc type.
2. Rename the file(s) and use differnt path to save
3. Change disc properties to close the current copy session.
4. Format the CD/DVD.
5. Use a different disc to copy files.
6. Use this simple trick.

Let us understand these in detail.

1] Check the disc type

Check whether the disc you’re trying to burn the file on is a Recordable CD/DVD (CD-R/DVD-R) or a Rewritable CD/DVD (CD-WR/DVD-RW). When you burn to a disc, you open a session that closes when the burning process ends. A recordable disc can only be burnt once whereas a rewritable disc can be burnt several times. However, if there’s some unused space on your recordable disc and your burning software supports ‘multi-session burning‘, you can still burn to the disc.

2] Rename the file(s) and use differnt path to save

If you’re using a recordable disc and the burning process was interrupted due to a system restart or any other reason, you might not be able to initiate the process again since a copy of the file already exists on the disc with the same name. Try renaming the file and then re-initiate the burning process. Make sure there’s some unused space left on the disc and your burning software supports multi-session burning. If it doesn’t support the feature, the unused space will be unavailable or invisible to the software.

If you’re using a rewritable disc, the burning process should replace any existing files with the same name. If it doesn’t, renaming the file will resolve the issue.

3] Change disc properties to close the current copy session

Check the Global Settings in the disc properties window to ensure the current session is closed. If the first copy session is still in progress and you attempt to burn to the disc again, Windows will try to burn files to the same drive in another session, which results in an error.

Open file Explorer. Right-click on the drive name in the left panel and select Properties. Switch to the Recording tab and click on the Global Settings button. Make sure the checkboxes for single-session-only discs and multi-session-capable discs are checked to automatically close the current session when the disc is ejected.

Now eject the disc, reinsert it, and try burning the file to it.

4] Format the CD/DVD

If the disc in use is a rewritable disc, format the disc. In order to format a used disc, you need to first erase all previously-stored data from it.

Open File Explorer and right-click on the disc icon in the left panel. Select the Erase this disc option from the context menu and follow the wizard instructions to erase or clean data from the disc.

Once the data is erased, select the Format option from the right-click menu of the disc. In the Format wizard, select a File System (UDF 2.01/UDF 2.50/UDF 2.60) and then click on the Start option. Click on the OK button in the warning prompt that appears. Wait for a few seconds till the format process finishes. Then try burning the disc again.

If you’re using a recordable disc, you will not see either of these options (erase/format).

Read: There was a problem burning this disc in Windows.

5] Use a different disc to copy files

If none of the above solutions help, you should buy a new disc (preferably rewritable) and then try burning the file to this disc.

We sincerely hope the above solutions will help resolve the disc error Source and destination file names are the same on your Windows PC.

6] Use this simple trick

Michael adds below in the comments:

Click on the CD/DVD drive with the files to be written. Make sure no files are selected. Right click avoiding the files and select “Burn to disc” from the drop down. You may have to select “More options” to see burn to disc. The key is to not have a file selected.

Share your feedback in the comments section below.

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