This topic is a how to.
Please keep it as clear and simple as possible. Avoid speculative discussions as well as a deep dive into underlying mechanisms or related technologies.

(what is this box?)

Windows Server 2008 R2 machines allow only the localsystem\administrator account permission to burn a CD/DVD on the local machine. All other accounts are treated per the “remote desktop” security restrictions. Therefore, unless you are logged in as localsystem\administrator you won't even see a Burn CD/DVD tab.

Table of Contents

How to burn a CD/DVD:

Choice A: Desktop Experience Pack

  1. Install the Desktop Experience feature to add the Burn CD/DVD tab and several other tools from the Windows 7 client.

To install the Desktop Experience pack:

  • Open Server Manager: click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and click Server Manager.
    • NOTE: You can also open Server Manager by typing the following at a command prompt: servermanager.msc
  • In the Features Summary section, click Add features.
  • Select the Desktop Experience check box, and then click Next.
  • Complete the wizard by clicking Install.

The Desktop Experience pack includes:

  • Windows Media Player
  • Desktop themes
  • Video for Windows (AVI support)
  • Windows SideShow
  • Windows Defender
  • Disk Cleanup
  • Sync Center
  • Sound Recorder
  • Character Map
  • Snipping Tool

Choice B: Command line tools

There are two command-line Microsoft tools you can download.  However, installing and using these require local administrator privileges, once you do that, you can go ahead and use the built-in tools. They are:

  • oscdimg.exe — use it to create and ISO image from your files. Install this tool from [[Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)]].
  • cdburn.exe / dvdburn.exe — use it to burn your ISO image to CD/DVD (respectively). Install these tools from these Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools. NOTE: even though the resource kit version is Windows Server 2003, these tools work if you have the required permissions on Windows Server 2008 R2.

Choice C: Third Party Tools

Use a third-party tool.* Example: ImgBurn (http://www.imgburn.com/)

Choice D: Use Flash Drive Instead

Use a USB flash drive instead. You can even boot and Install OS from USB Flash!

Choice E: Change Security Settings

Change the security defaults (e.g. security restrictions for “remote desktop” users or treat locally looged users in a different way).

* (please add links to a couple of examples you have used successfully).