Access SD Card & USB Files in Windows 8 Apps - Guide
Accessing Media on External Drives with Windows 8 Apps
Windows 8 applications, including those for Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Photos, are designed to showcase content residing within your designated libraries.
Users often prefer storing media files on external storage devices like SD cards or USB drives. However, Windows inherently restricts direct access from these locations.
Circumventing the Restriction
A workaround exists to enable Windows 8 and Windows RT apps to recognize media on external drives.
This involves configuring the SD card or USB drive to appear as accessible from an alternate path within the Windows file system.
How it Works
By creating a symbolic link or mounting the drive to a different folder, you effectively deceive Windows into believing the media is stored within a library-accessible location.
This allows the Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Photos apps to then index and display the content as intended.
Essentially, the system is redirected to recognize the external drive's contents without altering the actual physical storage location.
This method ensures compatibility with the app's library-centric design while granting users flexibility in media storage.
Organizing Files with Folders
It is recommended to establish distinct folders for each category of files you intend to manage on your device. For instance, should you wish to archive music, videos, and images on an external drive and integrate them into your libraries, dedicated folders named Music, Videos, and Photos should be created on that drive.
This organizational approach facilitates efficient file management and library synchronization.
Folder Structure Benefits
- Improved Organization: Categorizing files simplifies locating specific content.
- Library Integration: Dedicated folders allow media players and other applications to easily recognize and add files to their libraries.
- Streamlined Management: A clear folder structure makes backups and file transfers more manageable.
Maintaining a well-defined folder system is crucial for a positive user experience when working with external storage devices.
Assigning a Path to Your SD Card or USB Drive
It’s necessary to establish a pathway for accessing the SD card or USB drive. This process involves utilizing the Disk Management tool within Windows.
To launch Disk Management, either press the Windows key combined with the 'X' key, or right-click the icon located in the lower-left corner of your desktop to reveal the power-user menu. Subsequently, select 'Disk Management' from the options presented.
Within the Disk Management window, identify the removable storage device you intend to use. Right-click on this device and choose the 'Change Drive Letter and Paths' option.
A new window will appear; click the 'Add' button to create a new access path.
Specify a location where the removable drive will be accessible, such as 'C:\USB' or 'C:\SD'. You are free to choose any desired name for this location.
Your SD card, flash drive, or external hard drive will now be reachable through the designated location. It will retain its original drive letter assignment, but can also be accessed via the newly created folder path.
Integrating Folders into Your Libraries
The process of adding folders to your libraries can now be initiated. Begin by selecting the desired library. Then, within the File Explorer window, locate and click the Manage tab positioned at the top. Following this, click on the Manage Library option.
Proceed by clicking the Add button. This will allow you to incorporate the relevant folder into your library. As an illustration, we will integrate C:\USB\Videos into our library, rather than directly referencing the E:\Videos folder.
The system will not identify whether the folder resides on a removable storage device, and will permit its addition without issue. This procedure should be repeated for each library you wish to modify.
Once completed, simply place your files into the designated folder on your SD card or USB drive. They will then become accessible through the pre-installed Windows 8 and Windows RT applications, including Xbox Music, Xbox Videos, and Photos.
An alternative approach involves creating a junction point, bypassing the need for the Disk Management window. However, this method necessitates the use of the Command Prompt interface.
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