CDs and DVDs How Long Do They Last? SUMMARY: You may use CDs and DVDs to backup your information. Just how long will they last?   You may think that once you store music, documents, or photos on a CD or DVD that it will last virtually forever. That is not the case, however, as CDs and DVDs have a definite shelf life. How long CDs and DVDs will last in storage or in normal use, however, is a matter of much debate, and you cannot always trust manufacturer claims. One organization that has studied this issue is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). A working group, the Government Information Preservation Working Group, released on December 9, 2004 a Stability Study of Optical Discs that may help shed light on this issue.   Add: Del.icio.us | Digg | Furl | My Yahoo!   Discuss This Tip Print This Tip Get E-Mail When New Tips are Online Return to the CDs and DVDs page.