Solved How can I find folders missing from a library

[Melita]

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,

 

[Brink]

Hello Melita,

Are the folders still included in the library?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html

Are the folders still at their original locations as well?

 

[Melita]

Hello Shawn,

Nice to hear from you.

No, the library is empty. Folders and files all gone.

Regards

 

[Brink]

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.

 

[Melita]

No, they are missing from the original location as well. Is there anything more that I can do?

Regards,

 

[Melita]

Is there a way to change folders and files behavior in Windows 7

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,

 

[Brink]

Melita,

See if using OPTION TWO to restore any missing user folders may help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18583-user-folders-restore-default-location.html
​

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.

 

[whs]

You can try to recover the folders from a restore point. Like this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/132087-shadowexplorer-recover-lost-files-folders.html

 

[Melita]

Melita,

See if using OPTION TWO to restore any missing user folders may help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18583-user-folders-restore-default-location.html
​

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.

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.

 

[Brink]

Answers inline.

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?

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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/595-library-set-save-folder.html
​

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.

You 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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92758-windows-explorer-auto-arrange-disable.html

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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3952-file-folder-arrangement-group-sort-arrange.html
​

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.

For 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



​

 

[Melita]

This is practically a tutorial! I am very thankful for the detailed explanation. I think I can manage things better now.

Kind regards,

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[Melita]

You can try to recover the folders from a restore point. Like this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/132087-shadowexplorer-recover-lost-files-folders.html

Is there any way I can use this from a USB drive without installing in the computer?

Thank you,

 

[Brink]

You could try doing it from using the built-in Previous Versions feature instead.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85679-previous-versions-restore-files-folders.html

 

[whs]

You can try to recover the folders from a restore point. Like this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/132087-shadowexplorer-recover-lost-files-folders.html

Is there any way I can use this from a USB drive without installing in the computer?

Thank you,

You can install it on a USB drive if you know how to do that. But why go thru the trouble. It is just a small program and does not do any harm.

The advantage of Shadow Explorer over 'Previous Version' is that you can go to any previous shadow.

 

[Melita]

I am unable to use 'previous versions' because all traces of the whole library has disappeared. There is no place to right click!

About using a USB for the Shadow Explorer, it is just a personal preference, not to install anything in the computer unless forced to do so, having no other choice. Perhaps a little paranoid about it.

You say "You can install it on a USB drive if you know how to do that". Is there a special way that this has to be done? Could you help to do this?

Regards,

 

[whs]

There are a gezillion tutorials on the web on how to prepare a USB stick so that you can run programs from it. But why bother only because one is paranoid for no reason. I use Shadow Explorer since years on several systems and never had any problems. It was written by a Swiss friend - if that helps.

 

[Melita]

Thank you very much for all the help. From this thread I learned more than I ever did, on this subject, reading Microsoft tutorials for years.

Kind regards,

 

[Brink]

I'm glad that we could Melita.