CD Reader for Windows

By AEK
Free
User Rating

Used CD Reader for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 26, 2026

CD Reader excels at recovering data from damaged discs. Its primary focus is speed and preventing system unresponsiveness during the process.

Top Recommended Alternative

DirPrint

Trial version

Pros
- Fast data recovery from corrupted discs
- Prevents computer from becoming non-reactive
- Source code is GPL licensed
- Designed for CDs and DVDs
Cons
No Cons available

CD Reader for Windows

By AEK
Free
User Rating

Used CD Reader for Windows?

Explore More

Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: March 3, 2006

Latest update: February 26, 2026

Version: 0.8.2

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows NT
Windows 7
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows 2003
Windows 2000
Windows Server
Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows XP

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 62,585

Downloads Last Week: 3

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Last Updated

User Reviews

2.4/5

11 User Votes

Did not read cds
DWRichmondAugust 4, 2013
Pros
none did not work
Cons
On WIN 7 PRO did not read cds or could not read any of 4 cds written in windows software or any one of the other cd burned cds.
Summary
did not read ,or function at all. Just ran several mins and eventually Stopped responding at all
Unable to recover data from crashed data CD
waynebittleApril 3, 2012
Pros
None that worked for me
Cons
Went into forever loop and could not read data.
Summary
I used the free trial version and uninstalled it because I was not confident that the paid for version would work.
Easy to download and to use.
mol414ieMay 17, 2010
Pros
It's free and it works. Well it did for me.
Cons
Takes rather a long time to do its magic. I expect the CD repairers that you pay for are quicker but I'd rather wait than pay.
Summary
Would not work at all, let alone recover my media
pyromoshJanuary 12, 2009
Pros
Recognized my optical drive as an optical drive.
Cons
Would not recognize any media at all, just errors: "Access violation at address 00407B05 in module 'CD_Reader.exe'. Read of address 00000001."
Summary
Didn't do the job it was supposed to. IT may be great for you if you have a diffrent hardware of system config that it likes. For me it was a complete non-starter. I'm running a Samsung SATA DVD drive under XP MCE 2005 w/ SP3 if it makes a difference.
It doesn't wprk fr dvd's NO SIRVE EN DVD'S
TongoroJanuary 2, 2009
Pros
IT'S FREE, ES GRATIS
Cons
IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.SIMPLEMENTE NO FUNCIONA
Summary
It is a good try, and than you to the author for making it free, however, it does not work for dvd's
Didn't work for me.
BrachvogelJanuary 13, 2008
Pros
It's free and a very small download if you want to try it. Easy to uninstall too.
Cons
When this programme opened, the window was very obscure. It was not user friendly and I'm not sure that they checked the English. It was a non-starter for me and I ended up buying BadCopy Pro, which I wholeheartedly recommend: I had lost photographs on a DVD and it solved the problem in minutes.
Summary
Didn't work
zornotAugust 14, 2007
Pros
Cons
Could not recover a video clip; CD Recovery Toolbox, also free, did the trick.
Summary
did not help me with my problem
HedwichAugust 13, 2007
Pros
Cons
Summary
It saved my thesis! - I signed up just to leave this review!
paulkayeJune 24, 2007
Pros
I installed the software, stuck the corrupted CD into the drive and clicked "Automatic Mod". Within a minute I had my data in a folder on my HD. That's about as easy as it gets. Thank you - you saved my thesis!!!
Cons
Pretty simplistic interface that is not very reassuring - To be honest, I didn't think it was going to work at first!
Summary
excelent
supergozadorAugust 5, 2006
Pros
this is the right software to rescue damaged dvds...works fine
Cons
Summary

Developer’s Description

By AEK

Recover data from corrupted CDs and DVDs.