DVD Shrink can still open and compress some DVDs, but it has not been developed since 2005. On Windows 10 or Windows 11, it may fail to launch, stop during analysis, reject a disc, or display “Data error (cyclic redundancy check).” This guide helps you identify the possible causes and choose the right fix.
Rocabella | Updated on Jul 10, 2026
DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15 is the final English release, and its development ended in 2005. The program was made for much older versions of Windows and older DVD protection methods. It may therefore behave unpredictably on Windows 10/11 or fail on discs that use protection schemes introduced after its last update.
A cyclic redundancy check, or CRC, is a data-integrity test. When DVD Shrink reports “DVDShrink encountered an error and cannot continue. Data error (cyclic redundancy check),” Windows or the optical drive could not read a block of data consistently.
The most common reasons are:
The error source matters. Compatibility settings may help an old program launch, but they cannot repair damaged sectors or teach DVD Shrink how to handle newer disc structures.
Important: DVD Shrink was always freeware. Avoid downloads named “DVD Shrink 2010,” “DVD Shrink 2025,” “DVD Shrink 2026,” or similar unofficial editions. A newer-looking name does not mean the original program was updated.
Before changing Windows settings or reinstalling anything, use these checks to narrow down the problem:
Test another DVD in the same drive. If several known-good discs also fail, the drive, its cable, USB port, driver, or laser may be the problem.
Test the problem disc in another drive or standalone DVD player. If no device can read it, the disc is probably dirty, damaged, deteriorated, or incorrectly burned.
Try a homemade, unprotected DVD. If DVD Shrink reads ordinary discs but fails only on a commercial title, unsupported copy protection is more likely than a Windows compatibility problem.
Check the destination folder. Make sure the output drive has enough free space, the path is writable, and the file system can store the planned output. A full or inaccessible destination usually causes a different error, but it is worth ruling out early.
Clean the readable side of the disc. Hold the DVD by its edges and remove dust or fingerprints with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Wipe in straight lines from the center toward the outer edge rather than in circles. Let the disc dry completely before trying it again.
Inspect it under good light. Deep scratches, cracks, pinholes, label-side damage, or disc rot can make sectors permanently unreadable. A different drive may read a mildly damaged disc more successfully, but no ripping program can reliably recover data that the hardware cannot read.
Check the optical drive. Reconnect an external drive, try another USB port without a hub, restart Windows, and test a second drive when available. You can also open Device Manager, expand DVD/CD-ROM drives, uninstall the drive device, and restart the PC so Windows detects it again.
Consider how the disc was created. A homemade DVD may contain incomplete files or burning errors. When possible, return to the original video files and create a new disc at a moderate write speed using reliable media.
Do not assume every CRC message means physical damage. If the disc plays normally and other software can read it, DVD Shrink may be failing on an unfamiliar protection pattern or intentionally confusing disc structure. In that case, repeated cleaning or reinstalling DVD Shrink is unlikely to help.
If DVD Shrink does not open, freezes before reading a disc, or shows interface-related problems, Windows compatibility settings may help:
Step 1. Right-click the DVD Shrink shortcut or executable and select Properties.
Step 2. Open the Compatibility tab. Run the compatibility troubleshooter, or try a compatibility mode for an older Windows version. You may also test Run this program as an administrator when the app cannot write to its destination folder.
Step 3. Apply the setting and test DVD Shrink with an unprotected, known-good disc.
If the installation itself appears corrupted, uninstall DVD Shrink, restart the computer, and reinstall only the genuine 3.2.0.15 English release from a source you trust. Scan the installer before opening it.
Do not disable Windows Security or another antivirus program as a routine fix. A warning can indicate a modified or bundled installer. Verify the file source and scan result instead of turning off protection for the entire computer. If you cannot establish that the installer is genuine, do not run it.
When the disc and drive are healthy but DVD Shrink still fails, the practical solution is to use software that is maintained for current Windows systems and newer DVD structures. WonderFox Free DVD Ripper Speedy supports DVD discs, ISO images, and VIDEO_TS folders, and it has a strong ability to remove all kinds of tough DRM copy protections, including region codes, CSS, Disney X-Project DRM, etc.
It automatically analyzes the source, identifies the main title or episode titles even from a 99-title DVD, and saves the DVD as an MPG video without a watermark.
Insert the DVD into a working DVD drive. Download and install the free DVD ripper, then follow these steps:
Step 1. Launch the program, click DVD Disc, select the correct drive letter, and click OK.
Step 2. Wait while the program analyzes the disc and selects the main movie or episode titles. The free edition uses MPG as its output format.
Step 3. Click the three-dot icon at the bottom to choose an output folder. Make sure the destination has enough space, then click RUN.
💡 The free edition is a good fit when you simply need a fast digital copy. For MP4, MKV, MOV, device presets, 1:1 ISO/VIDEO_TS backup, multiple audio and subtitle tracks, or hardware-accelerated conversion, the optional WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro offers more output choices.
Note: If the DVD is physically damaged and cannot be read by any drive, changing software may not solve the problem. Also, use DVD backup tools only for discs you own and in ways permitted by the laws where you live.
The drive is probably reaching the same unreadable sector each time. Clean the disc, test another drive, and see whether other software stops at the same point. Consistent failure at one location often indicates physical damage, a bad burn, or a deliberately confusing disc structure.
Usually not. Compatibility mode can help DVD Shrink launch or interact with Windows correctly. It cannot repair unreadable data. It only helps when the problem is the old application itself rather than the disc or drive.
No, not as a general troubleshooting step. DVD Shrink is old and many download sites distribute repackaged installers. Confirm that you have the genuine version, scan the file, and avoid any installer that includes extra software or asks you to weaken system security.
Different discs use different authoring methods and copy protections. DVD Shrink may still handle an older or unprotected disc but fail on a newer commercial release. A healthy disc that works in a player can still be incompatible with DVD Shrink.
DVD Shrink does not contain its own modern burning engine. It can create an ISO image or VIDEO_TS folder and was designed to hand the result to compatible third-party burning software. Those old integrations may no longer work reliably on a current Windows setup.
Start with the disc and drive whenever DVD Shrink reports a cyclic redundancy check error. Clean and test the DVD, try another drive, and determine whether the problem affects all discs or only one title. Use compatibility settings only for launch or interface problems. When a healthy commercial DVD still fails, DVD Shrink’s age and unsupported protection methods are the likely limitation, so a maintained DVD ripper is the more dependable solution.
Kevincy joined the WonderFox team in 2014 and has been a senior columnist ever since. With over two decades of experience in the video editing industry, he shares tutorials, tips, and how-to guides on video/audio processing and personal DVD backups. Family-oriented and passionate about helping others, he is dedicated to making video and audio processing easier for readers.
Kevincy joined the WonderFox team in 2014 and has been a senior columnist ever since. With over two decades of experience in the video editing industry, he shares tutorials, tips, and how-to guides on video/audio processing and personal DVD backups. Family-oriented and passionate about helping others, he is dedicated to making video and audio processing easier for readers.
WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro
1. Rip DVD discs, ISO images, and VIDEO_TS folders.
2. Handle various DVD copy protections automatically.
3. Save DVDs as MP4, MKV, MOV, MPG, and more.
4. Create a 1:1 ISO image or VIDEO_TS backup.
5. Make a fast MPEG-2 MPG copy when needed.
6. Keep selectable audio tracks and subtitles in MKV.
7. Use Intel QSV or NVIDIA acceleration on supported PCs.
8. Trim, crop, add subtitles, and adjust output settings.
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