Ashampoo Burning Studio FREE 1.14.5

Overview

Ashampoo Burning Studio FREE is a powerful, simple burning and back up tool that combines essential burning features with multi-disc file backup, audio CD ripper and Blu-ray with up to 25 GB per layer capacity. Many burning applications may seem too complicated for beginning users, especially when it comes to CD burning or because of format compatibility issues. Ashampoo Burning Studio offers a transparent functionality which allows for a fast, easy and quality performance with little effort from the user. This intuitive application turns a complicated CD, DVD and Blu-ray burning process into a simple couple of clicks.

Installation

You need to have 64 MB RAM, 5 MB hard disk space and additional space for image files. Installation carries an option to download and install additional freeware from Ashampoo. Unless you want to download more freeware, un-check the box. The installer also pins a shortcut on your desktop with a shopping cart link to more Ashampoo products. One more comment on bundled items – this pack comes with 'service channels' that provide you with news on a variety of topics. Basically, the application suggests you activate Ashampoo ads, updates and the like.

Interface

Interface is easy to navigate. Once launched, the menu displays features with obvious functionality – burn files and folders, backup or restore files or folders, burn and rip music, burn movies, copy a CD/DVD/Blu-ray disc, create or burn a disc image or erase CD-RW or DVD-RW. By clicking on either of the features, you will see the extended menu on each of them. Follow the prompts, and you will finish the task at hand in no time.

Pros

- Ashampoo Burning Studio Free manages almost any burning or ripping task – copy, burn, backup, erase CD/DVD/Blue-ray disc and image discs, troubleshoot compatibility issues. The list of essential features is quite comprehensive. It is a great solution if you require an easy to use and free burning tool.
- Support for over 1,700 CD, DVD and Blu-ray burners.

Cons

- Does not offer editing and authoring tools, or tools for creating menus.
- A shopping cart shortcut on my desktop and potentially unwanted service channels. Being a privacy and security paranoid, I do not appreciate such inconspicuous suggestions.

Alternatives

ImgBurn is a free lightweight CD/DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray burning app available in 34 languages. CDBurnerXP is another free CD and DVD burner that includes Blu-Ray and HD-DVD and ISO. InfraRecorder is an open source free CD/DVD burning solution with easy to use interface and a comprehensive range of features.

Conclusion

If simplicity and functionality combined with free of charge accessibility accounts for a recommendation, then Ashampoo Burning Studio Free is an excellent choice for users of beginning to intermediate level. Burn music, movies, back up and restore files and folders, rip movies for torrents or create Blu-ray discs, as well as handle a variety of burning and ripping associated tasks. This application has potential of becoming your favorite burning and ripping solution, provided you can tolerate a little bit of advertising in exchange for a free smart tool.