Very confused re: what' in Libraries & elsewhere.

[windsorlady]

WhenI first started using Windows 7, there were only 4 libraries that appeared -- Documents, Music, Videos, and Pictures. More recently, there are now 5 -- the 5th one being my personal folder (has my name on it). It shows things in 1 location.

If I use my User Folder, it shows 2 locations.

I don't understand how many copies of my personal folder are really on this computer and why does it now appear under libraries when it originally didn't?

I don't have any problems with it being there, except I didn't put it there -- at least to my knowledge (LOL). Sometimes when saving something, it will not show up; however, if I click up in the address bar one level back, then it shows up.

If I delete anything out of one, it also comes out of the other. I also have an icon on the desktop for my personal folder and My Documents. I'm not really sure "which" My Documents it's for at this point. I've tried deleting the one under Libraries and it will not let me. It will allow me to copy someplace else. I really only want 1 copy of things on this pc as why have double or triple?

Could someple explain to me what I'm trying to find out, because I'm not sure I can intelligently ask what that is except should my personal folder be in the Libraries? If not, how do I get it out of there, without loosing everything in it?

Thanks for any help.

 

[whs]

Hmm, a lot of people seem to have a problem understanding the library concept. But it is dead simple. A library is nothing but an index of folders - like the index in a book indexing chapters. It is neither a file nor a folder. It is just a concept (of course somewhere the info is stored, but that does not matter for this discussion).
If you have a new library, you must have created it - possibly by a false drag and drop. The folder(s) in that library physically reside someplace else. You can delete them (the library entries that is) if you right click on the library and go to Properties. Then highlight the folder(s) in question and click the "Remove" button - that does not delete the folder itself but the entry into the library. When the library is empty, you can delete it.
If you have more questions, post back.

 

[windsorlady]

Hum -- I thought I posted here again, but sure don't see it. Anyway, thanks for the help as I did delete the Libraries folder with my name on it and do still have all my files under the Users\My Documents - whew. I was concerned it would delete everything.

Now, when I work in my folders, should I stay out of the Libraries in the windows explore tree and save and open in the folder under USERS? When I view the tree, there is a My Documents folder up towards the top, but is it necessary for me to scroll down and find the Users My Documents to work in and save files in?

Thanks.

 

[whs]

You cannot save or store anything in libraries - only in folders. There is one exception. That is if the library contains only 1 folder. Than it does not make a difference whether you store to the library or the folder. But in most cases a library will contain several folders. In that case you will have to go to the folder. If you double click on the library, the folders will show up.

 

[CassieFWinTeam]

Oh no Windsorlady! The library feature in Windows 7 is supposed to make your life easier, not harder. Libraries are designed to give innate organization to your files and folders, making it easier for you to search and find what you are looking for. Here is a easy read that will hopefully help explain the libraries feature: Working with libraries.

Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Cassandra
Microsoft Windows Outreach

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello windsorlady, welcome to Seven Forums!



You can view many well written and easily understood tutorials on the subject of "Libraries" here at Seven Forums, just click the link to the tutorial index below; be sure to keep us informed.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/257-windows-7-tutorial-index-2.html#post1075

 

[whs]

Oh no Windsorlady! The library feature in Windows 7 is supposed to make your life easier, not harder. Libraries are designed to give innate organization to your files and folders, making it easier for you to search and find what you are looking for. Here is a easy read that will hopefully help explain the libraries feature: Working with libraries.

Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Cassandra
Microsoft Windows Outreach

Cassandra, this is nice and jolly. But believe me, a lot of people have difficulties to understand the library concept. I teach in a computer club with 650 mostly senior members and there is not a day when the subject does not come up. I try to give as simple an explanation as I can (e.g. comparing it to a book index) - something people can relate to.
For us "system people", the thing is easy. But for laymen/laywomen, it is not that obvious.

 

[windsorlady]

Well you all have certainly given me some novel reading (LOL). I will review these and see if it helps. It seems to go in circles, but maybe it won't after I check some of the information above out. I do appreciate your help. I too help teach classes for our local computer club (mostly seniors) and it's confusing to many. I'm just trying to get a handle on it myself. I understand the concept of the library being an index, it's just where do I work -- in the library or in the users folder?

All my folders/files appear in the Explore Tree right up next to the Library in My documents, so it seems way too easy to work right there, rather than to scroll down the "tree" to users.

Anyway, I'll see if I can make my life easier with these libraries - which sure seems like a duplication of efforts.

Thanks again.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again windsorlady.



If you're more comfortable using folders than libraries then by all means do that, I don't use libraries myself; I just wanted to point out the existence of the tutorials to you.

Libraries are basically just junction points to folders.

 

[CassieFWinTeam]

I second Bare Foot Kid - If libraries are not for you, you do not have to use them, but I do think Windows 7 - Tutorial Index is a great resource to read through. And, if you find a good way to explain libraries to you class, you should share your technique with whs so he can use it in his class as well

 

[manhunter2826]

I concur. Just because MS provide another feature as they 'improve' on an OS - and what a fantastic OS is W7 - folks should not feel the need to learn new tricks. I'm not using Libraries myself here but it's early days

 

[windsorlady]

Thanks to everyone who provided input here!

Goodness, what a weath of information your tutorials have -- the ones yo passed on to me re: Libraries. It did help me a lot -- I feel I have a better understanding of how they work.

I'd like to add one comment. I notice the default for folders options does not have checkmarks in the 2 items listed under Navigation pane. It seems as if those should be part of the deafult settings, but I had to place a checkmark in those items to "easily" see what I wanted to see. Maybe that is something for the instructor in this thread -- but bet he already knows that.

Thanks again -- off to do more reading. I appreciate you all.

Windsorlady

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello windsorlady.



I'll bring this to the attention of Brink but as you say I'm sure he'll have an explanation for you.

 

[noobvious]

I concur. Just because MS provide another feature as they 'improve' on an OS - and what a fantastic OS is W7 - folks should not feel the need to learn new tricks. I'm not using Libraries myself here but it's early days

I was skeptical at first, but now I like them. My hard drive is on 2 partitions, the OS/programs on C:, and everything else on D:. So the Library feature makes it quicker for me to access my stuff.

 

[manhunter2826]

I concur. Just because MS provide another feature as they 'improve' on an OS - and what a fantastic OS is W7 - folks should not feel the need to learn new tricks. I'm not using Libraries myself here but it's early days

Very nice and detailed guide here:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_libraries.asp

 

[windsorlady]

I do like the Libraries

When I started this thread, I was using the libraries -- finding files/folders there, moving files/folders within, etc. Where my confusion came was I've been told to NOT "work in he libraries" but only in the User MY DOCUMENTS file. I could not see any reason not to use the libraries. It's much easier to view the libraries than to scroll down an entire list looking for the User account folder and work in and out of there. I use the Windows Explorer "tree" in all cases, but seems useless to make extra hunting for the folders. The libraries feature is great. Since making my post, I've gathered lots of good information in this thread and appreciate you all.

Thanks,

Windsorlady

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again windsorlady.



We're glad we've been able to help.

 

[Sheree]

saving in windows 7

Hi I am still as confused as ever about the way windows is storing my work.

I seem to have folders everywhere, i deleted one lot and lost the compete folder of pictures because it went from everywhere.

I dont know if I make amendments to one folder if it changes in the other folders, are will they have the old work in them?

All i want to do is to save something go to my documents and open it, but i have folders here there and everywhere now.

I run training course which i am constantly updating and dont know which file i am working on.

I am thinking of just putting the courses on a disk and taking the lot of the computer, i could be updating something and then sending the old stuff out how am i suppose to know, if i put the course name in search bar i get 4 copies of the same thing, can anyone help me before dump windows 7 and business home and office and go back to my old computer that saved everything once. Sheree

 

[Barman58]

In win7 thare are two main ways of working with user folders

User folders or Libraries

Both use special types of shortcut links that provide an index to where the actual files are kept

Each user has an area assigned to them for their personal data (this includes documents, videos, music and pictures) and their settings and the settings of the programs they use.

This area is found under the c:\users and each user has an entry using their actual user name

there are also entries here for the public folders and settings.

As there is a possibility that a user may cause damage to their system settings if they work in the actual folders and accidentally delete the wrong file or folder, windows provides the user shortcuts to those folders which only contain user data.

These shortcuts are available on the start menu either grouped together under the username at the top of the list or as individual entries. Clicking an the user folder shortcut is exactly the same as clicking on the actual folder under c:\users\username

I strongly advise that users only access these locations via the shortcuts provided.

Libraries are also a special type of shortcut but one that point to more than one location.

The default is for the libraries to point to the relevant user and public folders.

For example the documents library will point to the users and the public document folders.

You can, if you have an existing folder structure, maybe on another disk, add these folders to the relevant library or even create your own to, for example, pull together all the relevant folders for a particular project.

If you only use the standard user folders in c:\users then there is no need to use the libraries if you do not want to, and of course the same applies for the user folder shortcuts on the start menu - although this does make things easier and safer

These systems were put in place to prevent regular problems encountered in XP where the documents and settings folders were incorrectly edited

 

[windsorlady]

I'd like to mention something I have happen sometimes. I do work in the user folders and not the libraries. Sometimes when I save a file, I do not see it added to the list of files on my screen. If I to to the address bar (or the bar where it shows the location of where you are) and click 1 level up and the back, it does then appear. This doesn't happen all the time and I've not figured out what I'm doing when that does happen. At least I do find it once saved, but have to use the method above to see it at times.

Here's an example of the address bar -- C:username/MyDocuments/Computer Information. If I saved a file in Computer Information, I sometimes don't see that file; however, if I click on MyDocuments, then click again on Computer Information in the address bar, it will then appear for me.

Sure seems weird to me, but I figured out the fix (LOL).