I created a new library and included four folders in it. The library is there but all the folders have gone missing. I looked in every folder in all other libraries and searched with Windows Explorer using the folder names but to no avail. How else can I try to find these folders?
Thank you,
Hello Melita, :)
Are the folders still included in the library?
Library - Include a Folder
Are the folders still at their original locations as well?
Hello Shawn,
Nice to hear from you.
No, the library is empty. Folders and files all gone.
Regards
It's nice to hear from you as well. :)
Are the folders still in their original locations other than the library? For example, "C:\Users\(user-name)\My Music".
If so, then you should be able to just include the folders to the library again.
No, they are missing from the original location as well. Is there anything more that I can do?
Regards,
Last edited by Melita; 19 Mar 2013 at 13:03. Reason: To add content
I always had trouble with the libraries, folders and files in windows 7, which I never had with Windows XP. Is there some way I can change their behavior in Windows 7, at least approximately to how it was in XP?
Thank you,
Melita,
See if using OPTION TWO to restore any missing user folders may help.
XP doesn't have libraries. Libraries are different than folders. A library is a collection of included folders from other locations that are also accessible in this one library location.
All included folders in a library share the same folder view, while an actual folder (not in a library) will have it's own folder view.
Could you be more specific on how you want the library behavior to be? Possibly some screenshots. :)
You can try to recover the folders from a restore point. Like this: ShadowExplorer - Recover Lost Files and Folders
1. Mainly it is the saved files and/or folders appearing in other locations in addition to the library that I saved them in. For example, When I download and save a progrmme or file etc. from the internet to a particular library using 'save as' function, it also appears either in 'my documents or in the folder identified by my user name. Can this be changed so that the contents are found in only in the location that I save them in?
2. Can I do something to be able to freely move and arrange files and folders within the same location, The way it was possible to do in XP. Not being handicapped by the limited 'arrange' options of Window 7.
3. Could you also explain your statement "All included folders in a library share the same folder view, while an actual folder (not in a library) will have it's own folder view". I don't quite understand it.
Thank you.
Answers inline. :)
A library is just a collection of included folders (like shortcuts). When you save something into a library, you will be able to view it in the library, and in the actual folder you included.
You are able to change what included folder you want items to be saved to by default though.
Library - Set Save FolderYou can do arrange items in folders in any order and position you like in Windows 7 if you disabled auto arrange using the tutorial below, but you will not be able to do so in a library.
Windows Explorer Auto Arrange - Disable
In a library, you are still only able to sort by, group by, or arrange by how you like instead, but all included folders share the same view in the library.
File and Folder Arrangement - Group by - Sort by - Arrange byFor example:
Your "Music" library has the "C:\Users\Public\Public Music" and "C:\Users\(user-name)\My Music" folders included in it by default.
You can view the contents of these folders in either all in one place in the Music library, or separately in the "actual" folder locations of "C:\Users\Public\Public Music" and "C:\Users\(user-name)\My Music". "Actual" being where the folder is truly located.
"included folders" = when viewing the folders in the library
"actual folders" = when viewing the folders at their true location
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