Libraries - Am I missing the point?

Qdos said:

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

You can also remove all of the libraries from the library folder so it's not taking up space. I don't know of a way to remove the Libraries folder itself.

Thanks. :)

garysgold said:

...so it's not taking up space.

4 KB (with the default 4096 cluster size) per library is a lot of space?

If you are curious, here is what a library really is:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<libraryDescription xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/windows/2009/library">
  <name>@shell32.dll,-34575</name>
  <ownerSID>S-1-5-21-298772887-1063904651-2225699868-1000</ownerSID>
  <version>10</version>
  <isLibraryPinned>true</isLibraryPinned>
  <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1002</iconReference>
  <templateInfo>
    <folderType>{7d49d726-3c21-4f05-99aa-fdc2c9474656}</folderType>
  </templateInfo>
  <propertyStore>
    <property name="HasModifiedLocations" type="boolean"><![CDATA[true]]></property>
  </propertyStore>
  <searchConnectorDescriptionList>
    <searchConnectorDescription publisher="Microsoft" product="Windows">
      <description>@shell32.dll,-34577</description>
      <isDefaultSaveLocation>true</isDefaultSaveLocation>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>knownfolder:{FDD39AD0-238F-46AF-ADB4-6C85480369C7}</url>
        <serialized>[really long value]</serialized>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
    <searchConnectorDescription>
      <isSupported>true</isSupported>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>S:\Documents</url>
        <serialized>[really long value]</serialized>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
  </searchConnectorDescriptionList>
</libraryDescription>

Here is an example how libraries can be helpful for a very organized person.

I have my son's photographs stored under "Pictures/Personal/<my son's name>/" and his videos stored under "Videos/<my son's name>/".

These are two different folders, so if I want to access my son's videos and pictures at the same time, I had to open both folders.

With libraries, I can just open one folder and have direct access to all the files.

Qdos said:

logicearth said:

garysgold said:

...so it's not taking up space.

4 KB (with the default 4096 cluster size) per library is a lot of space?

I think he may have been referring to real estate on your monitor...

Exactly. Sorry for the confusion.

Qdos said:

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...

I think that is why I asked the question. I do have my folders and files organised so I can generally find what I need as a result of that and the excellent search function. So I found the Library just seemed to add an extra top layers and then duplicate the folder organisation I had already created.

I can however see merit in Satchmo's suggestion. That is one way to get some additional benefit but you need to be organised to start with!

I love the new Libraries feature of W7!
It makes finding what you need fast so easy!!!
Once you get it setup how you want it (folders you use a lot) it's a breeze as having them all in one place really speeds things up........
This is something I can't do without now...