How to Add a Location to a Windows 7 Library

Posted on November 22, 2009 at 5:53 am

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.

windows 7 libraries

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.

add location windows 7 library

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

library properties

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.

windows 7 library locations

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

add library 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.

include folder in library

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!

» Filed Under Windows 7

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Comments

2 Responses to “How to Add a Location to a Windows 7 Library”

  1. LJ Might said on :

    So, I am trying to use this new libraries feature in Windows 7, but I don’t understand how I can restrict what types of files are being shown.

    For example, in the Pictures library, if I dump an Excel file in one of the picture locations, it shows up! Shouldn’t it only show picture formats? Thanks.


  2. Yark said on :

    Nice tutorial, thanks a lot. I’ve just gotten a Windows 7 PC and am learning how to use libraries, etc.


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