Making a backup disc

Your burning software should have a "Copy CD" option.

The actual method will depend on the brand of computer you bought. Most have a way to burn CDs/DVDs that will return your machine to how it came from the factory, including installed software.

Most modern PCs will not allow you to burn separate installation media for applications on your PC.

Drewdad, it depends what Tomkitten is trying to do. If he wants to make an additional backup copy of a software manufacturer's installation CD-ROM then all he has to do is copy that CD using his burning software.

Of course it is not possible to create an installation CD using the folders of a Microsoft Office application which has been installed on your PC. If you have lots of personal spreadsheets and other data which you want to preserve, Tomkitten, that is possible, but at the moment it does not seem clear what you want.

Making a backup disc
After mulling it over, I think that this suggestion is a bit of overkill. I have the CD, a copy of it would not be of any particular use. If I lose the original CD, there's nothing to keep me from losing the copy. It it were a download, I could understand better.

As long as I have the various keys, etc., & have properly activated the software, I assume that I could identify myself to Microsoft and request a copy. Or is Microsoft so picky that they would charge me for a new CD?

Anyway, my philosophy is always to order a CD, rather than a download, of any new software, even if it costs a little more.