Windows 7 Libraries: A Comprehensive Guide

Windows 7 Libraries: A Comprehensive Guide

The introduction of libraries in Windows 7 significantly streamlines file and folder management. This article details how to access and utilize these libraries, as well as how to incorporate network locations for enhanced accessibility. The libraries feature offers a centralized hub for managing files dispersed across various locations on your computer.

Accessing Libraries

To navigate to the libraries in Windows 7, simply type "libraries" into the Start Menu search field and press Enter. This will open the default libraries – Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos – within Windows Explorer.

Furthermore, libraries are readily accessible from the Navigation Pane whenever you are using Windows Explorer.

Utilizing Libraries

Let's examine the Documents Library as an example, though the process remains consistent for any library you wish to customize. If you've been utilizing Windows 7 and storing documents in the My Documents folder, these documents will automatically appear when you open the Documents Library.

Applications often install folders within My Documents by default, and these will also be visible.

However, what if your documents are stored in a folder outside of My Documents? Adding such a folder to the Documents Library is straightforward.

You can achieve this by right-clicking the desired folder and selecting "Include in library" from the context menu, then choosing the Documents Library.

It’s important to remember that adding a folder to a library does not relocate the folder from its original location.

Alternatively, with the folder containing your documents open, you can select "Include in library" and choose the appropriate library from the dropdown menu.

This demonstrates the Documents library, displaying files located in diverse areas of the hard drive, including a separate partition.

Removing Items from Libraries

You can also remove locations from libraries as needed. Within a library, click on the "locations" link.

This will open the Documents Library Locations window, allowing you to add or remove locations with ease.

Creating New Libraries

While the default libraries are useful, creating custom libraries allows for greater organization. While in the libraries directory, click the "New library" button and assign a name to your new library.

In this instance, we’ve created a new library named "Work Projects". Upon first opening it, you will be prompted to include a folder.

Browse to the location containing the files you want to include, then click "Include folder".

The files within that folder will now be displayed in your newly created library.

After establishing several libraries, they will be added to the selection list.

Adding Network Locations

Although libraries are a valuable addition, certain limitations exist. Not all folders can be added directly to libraries due to restrictions imposed by Microsoft.

Adding content from local drives, including additional volumes or partitions, is generally unrestricted. External USB drives formatted as NTFS or Fat32 are also compatible.

However, incorporating network and non-indexed locations can present challenges.

Fortunately, a free utility called Win7 Library Tool simplifies the process of adding network locations.

Simply click the "Create a new library" button within the tool.

Then, add the network location you wish to include in the library. This tool also offers the convenient feature of customizing the library icon.

Here, we’ve added a home network share containing music files to a library named "MP3 library".

Conclusion

This guide should provide a solid foundation for utilizing Libraries in Windows 7, a feature that may initially require some adjustment. Once you grasp the functionality and begin creating custom libraries, you’ll discover their considerable utility.

The Win7 Library Tool further simplifies the inclusion of network locations. Do you currently use libraries in Windows 7? Share your experiences and feedback in the comments below.

Download Win7 Library Tool.