Computer Tips From A Computer Guy

How to Add a Location to a Windows 7 Library

Posted: 22 Nov 2009 03:53 AM PST

Windows 7 has another nice new feature called Libraries. Libraries are basically virtual folders that contain links that point to other files and folders on the hard disk. They do not actually contain any data, just links pointing to data.

In this way, you can use the library called Music to show music from several different folders on your computer and from other computers in the same HomeGroup. Instead of dumping all your music into the My Music folder like you had to do in previous versions of Windows, now you use a library to see all files from multiple locations.

You can also add as many locations as you like to a Windows 7 library and when you open that library, all files and directories will be easily accessible from it. Nice! It's a great way to organize your data without having to physically move files from one place to another.

There are a couple of different ways you can add locations to a library and I will go through each below.

First, you can right-click on the name of the library and choose Properties.

In the library properties dialog, click on Include a folder to add a new folder location to the library.

The second way to add a location and to see a list of current locations included in the library is to click on the number of locations at the top near the Includes label.

Here you will see a list of the library locations. Click on the Add button to add a new location.

The third way to add a folder to a library in Windows 7 is to simply right-click on a folder and choose a library from the Include in library link.

Also, at any time, you can simply drag a file into a library to add it. Overall, libraries are great if you have similar files that are strewn all over your hard disk. Enjoy!