Audiophiles love Nero for its audio handling. StartSmart Essentials allows you to:

Nero AG, the developer, has moved on to modern, subscription-based suites (Nero Platinum). They no longer officially host the old "Essentials" installers on their main servers. This creates a risky environment for downloaders. A simple Google search will yield hundreds of results, but many of them lead to "abandonware" sites laden with malware, or scam sites pretending to offer the software but delivering browser hijackers instead.

Clone an entire CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc directly to a blank disc or save as an ISO image. Perfect for making backup copies of home movies or software discs.

If you never owned Nero, you can buy Nero StartSmart Essentials directly:

Nero StartSmart Essentials remains a gold standard for users who want a "no-nonsense" approach to disc management. By providing the essential tools without the bloat, it ensures that your data archiving and music burning remains fast and efficient. Whether you are reviving an old laptop or using a new external drive, this software is a reliable companion for your media needs.

from the top dropdown if you have multiple drives.