Adding a Network Directory to a Library


  1. Posts : 925
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Adding a Network Directory to a Library


    I would like to add a Network Directory to a Library. I've come across this link although I couldn't understand the following:

    Create a local folder in the C:\Users\username\ directory. This can be named anything you want, so long as it is a valid directory name.
    Add that folder into the library. Open the library from the menu bar, then click on the Includes: # locations link at the top. Click the Add button on the right side and select the folder you just created.
    Delete the local folder that you created. DO NOT remove it from the library.
    I first create a local folder in /Users/username then I add a folder library and I click on includes, when I click the Add button the indexing option occurs ! I get thrown off track at the last set of instructions which are to delete the local folder that I've created. I can't get to that stage because the networked folder needs to be indexed and the point of this technique is to not have to index the drive

    On the same page there is this program, it appears it wipes out your previous libraries which you've created, which is why I'm skeptical to use it. I'm hoping someone can help me get one or the other to work or has another solution to this ?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,158
    Win7 HP (x64)/Win7 Ultimate (x64)
       #2

    Hi

    Have a look at this tutorial

    Hope this helps
    Regards
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 925
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I was unable to get Method #2 to work. Here are the instructions:

    METHOD TWO
    Using mklink Command

    1. Create a temp folder on your hard drive i.e. c:\shares

    2. Create another folder in the above folder. i.e. c:\shares\pictures

    3. Link the Library to this folder.

    4. Delete the folder (c:\shares\pictures).

    5. Use the mklink in an elevated command prompt to make a symbolic link. Name the link the same as the folder you created above. i.e -
    mklink /d c:\shares\pictures \\server\pictures

    6. Done. Now you have a non-indexed network path as a library.
    I created a temp folder on my drive called C:\Shares\Data then I created a link to the Library to this folder then I deleted the folder and subfolder C:\Shares\Data. At this point if I go to the Library, Windows will tell me the folder & subfolder don't exist any longer, to which I used the elevated command prompt and in a command prompt I entered in: mklink /d C:\shares\pictures \\<network name> and I get a error that the file or directory doesn't exist, what is wrong ?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,158
    Win7 HP (x64)/Win7 Ultimate (x64)
       #4

    Hi J

    You could also try this tutorial or even this
    Regards
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 925
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    The first tutorial is how to add a folder to a library, which I know ! :)
    Thank You otherwise I wanted to know why it wasn't working without using the Windows7 Library Tool, it looks as though I'm going to have too
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #6

    Hmm, I have my WHS shares added to my libraries without any problems. Have you tried creating a mapped network drive, and then adding that to your libraries?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #7

    Instead of adding the directory to the Library you should be adding it your User folders instead. Libraries are only links with thumbnails that point to your actual files.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 925
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Instead of adding the directory to the Library you should be adding it your User folders instead. Libraries are only links with thumbnails that point to your actual files.
    Are you saying in Post #3 only to put the folder within the Users Folder instead and then try to link it using MKLINK ?
      My Computer


 

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