Libraries - Am I missing the point?

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  1. Posts : 46
    Windows 7
       #1

    Libraries - Am I missing the point?


    The idea of the Library (I think) is that it gathers all documents you want to be treated as belonging to the same category into one folder. Yet to do that one has to add the required folders to that Library. For example, I want all my current documents in the "current" library. I have a folder on my data drive called "Current" with sub-folders for current Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc., files. To create the library I add the folder "Current" to the Library.

    Why? I can just as easily open the relevant folder on my data disk. I must be missing some fundamental point here.
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  2. Posts : 155
    windows 7 Home premium 32 bit
       #2

    I don't get it either. I have lost, deleted and had double files all by doing nothing. i worked out search is your friend with 7
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  3. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #3

    It is for when you have items scattered though out on multiple drives or folders for whatever reason. All Libraries does is aggregate that into a single view. That is all.
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  4. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #4

    Libraries are a great tool. I created a download library, and added all of the various directories I use for downloading files. Now, when I click the Orb and type "downloads", the library pops up, I click it, and I have instant access to all of my download files and directories. I chose a default download folder, so whenever I download something, the file goes to exactly where I want it, and then I move it to another folder, if necessary.
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  5. Posts : 3,141
    Vista Ult 64 bit Seven Ult RTM x64
       #5

    vicvic said:
    I don't get it either. I have lost, deleted and had double files all by doing nothing. i worked out search is your friend with 7
    Libraries do not move or copy any files. They simply record where they are and allow you to access them through the library. Great if you got stuff spread around. Shawn has done several tutorials on them. I like 'em (both the libraries and tutorials).
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  6. Posts : 167
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x86)
       #6

    Libraries are an excellent feature. Just because they are there dosent mean you must use them. Just as any other Windows feature.

    Here is one example how I use the Videos library. I have the following folders I added, X:\Music Videos | D:\Multimedia | D:\Downloads\Video | G:\Mobile\Videos

    So I can have all of the above consolidated into a single view. From there I can sort, arrange, manage and search (videos library is indexed).

    The only instance where libraries arent useful, is when you dump everything into a single folder by category. ie My Documents, My Videos etc.
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  7. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    vicvic said:
    I don't get it either. I have lost, deleted and had double files all by doing nothing.
    Libraries will NOT move files, delete them, or duplicate them. They simply show you multiple locations as if they were all in one place. If you had duplicates...it's because you had duplicate files already on your hard drive.
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  8. Posts : 3,960
    W7 x64
       #8

    Libraries are useful for untidy disorganized users.

    If you're accustomed to mapping files to organized folders where you know where they can be found then it's nothing but a purely annoying 'feature'...

    I wish Windows7 allowed users the option to turn off the irritating libraries function, it really only exists for people who clutter up their files all over the shop...
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  9. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #9

    It is not just for disorganized users. I for example have a requirement for having multiple places to store files. Having a laptop with limited storage is one possible reason. Another possible reason is multiple locations for music. I have one location were all my DRM-free music lives and another where my Zune subscription music lives. I want both to be a single library but be in different places on the HDD.

    There could be many more uses of it. Not just a feature for untidy disorganized users.
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  10. Posts : 3,960
    W7 x64
       #10

    logicearth said:
    It is not just for disorganized users.
    I never said it was exclusively useful for disorganized users...

    At least you can remove the libraries user icon from the start menu...
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