Library - Include a Folder

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    Library - Include a Folder

    Library - Include a Folder

    How to Include a Folder in a Library in Windows 7
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    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Include a Folder in a Library in Windows 7


       Information
    This will show you how to add a folder so that it's contents will also be included in the library as well in Windows 7.
       Note
    Libraries let you access and arrange items from one or more folders quickly without moving them from their original location. Libraries themselves don't store your files or folders. Instead, they point to different locations on a hard disk or external drive attached to your computer. This gives you easy access to a category of files no matter where they are stored. For instance, if you have music files on your hard disk and on an external drive, you can access all of your music files from within the "Music" library.

    For more information about Windows 7 Libraries see:
    By default, you will have the folder from the C:\Users\(user-name)\(same name as library folder) and C:\Users\Public\(same name as library folder) locations included in a libary.

    You can include folders from locations that aren't always accessible by your computer (such as removable drives or networks), but you will not be able to access the contents of those folders unless the drive or network is connected. Although network folders can be included in libraries, searches will likely be slow because the contents of those folders can't be indexed. For more information about Windows 7 Libraries see Understanding Windows 7 Libraries - Windows 7 for Developers - The Windows Blog.
       Tip
    The full path to the hidden Libraries folder is below.

    C:\Users\(User-Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries

    OR

    %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries

       Warning

    • You will not be able to include a library in another library, or include the Computer folder in a library.
    • You can only include up to 50 folders in one library parent folder.
    • Included folders from external hard drives or USB flash drives are only accessible in the library when the device is connected.
    • To be able to search in libraries, the Windows Search service needs to be Started and set to Automatic. Libraries require it's included folders to also be added to the index to be tracked properly even though they will still open properly.





    OPTION ONE

    Include Folder in Library from the Folder


    1. Open a Windows Explorer window.

    2. Navigate to the folder you want to include into a library, and select (highlight) it.

    3. Click on the Include in library toolbar button, and click on an available library to include the folder in. (See screenshot below)
    Library - Include a Folder-windows_explorer.jpg

    A) Go to step 5.
    OR

    4. Right click on the folder and click on Include in Library, and click on an available library to include the folder in. (See screeshot below)
    Library - Include a Folder-include_in_library.jpg
    5. The selected folder (step 2) contents will now also be included (linked) in the library (step 3).

    6. Close Windows Explorer when done.



    OPTION TWO

    Include Folder in Library from the Library


    1. Open the Start Menu.

    2. Right click on the User Name button and click on Open. (See screenshot below)
    Library - Include a Folder-start_menu_link.jpg
    3. Right click on the library (ex: Music) and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
    Library - Include a Folder-libraries.jpg
    A) Go to step 5. (See right screenshot below step 5)
    OR

    4. Open the library (ex: Music) that you want to include a folder in. (See screenshot below step 3)
    A) Click on the # Library Locations toolbar button. (See left screenshot below)
    NOTE: If this is a new or empty library, then you will see the right screenshot below instead. Click on the Include a folder button, and go to step 6.
    Library - Include a Folder-library.jpg

    Library - Include a Folder-new_library.jpg
    5. Click on the Add button (left screenshot below), or Include a folder button (tight screenshot below).
    NOTE: The right screenshot would be from step 3.
    Library - Include a Folder-library_add-remove.jpgLibrary - Include a Folder-properties.jpg
    6. Navigate to the folder you want to include in the library, then select the folder and click on the Include Folder button. (See screenshot below)
    Library - Include a Folder-add_1.jpg
    7. Click on OK. (See screenshots below)
    NOTE: If this was a new or empty library (note under step 4A), then you will not see this. The folder will automatically be included instead.
    Library - Include a Folder-example_add-remove1.jpgLibrary - Include a Folder-example_add-remove.jpg
    8. The folder (step 6) contents will now be included (linked) in the selected library (step 4).

    9. Close the library window when done. (See screenshots below step 4A)



    OPTION THREE

    Include a Network Folder in Library


    That's it,
    Shawn





  1. Posts : 3,141
    Vista Ult 64 bit Seven Ult RTM x64
       #1

    This will certainly make things easier for me. Thank you for another great tutorial.

    Gary
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    You're welcome Gary. I think this feature is a great addition to Windows 7.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    Windows (XP Home Ed, Vista Home Premium, 7)
       #3

    Is there a way to include subfolders just in one click?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Eiber,

    METHOD ONE is the only way that I know of to add a folder to a Library.

    Sorry,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8
    Windows (XP Home Ed, Vista Home Premium, 7)
       #5

    I too believe this is a great feature! maybe I didn't explained myself....

    I mean... for example... I use a hard disk as a media library.. (since Win98 )... so in XP, I just added the specific music folder to my windows media player and I could manage my whole music folder from there.... Now... In Windows 7, I added the same library I use for XP in the Windows Media Player but I only see the files in the first branch.... (as: G:\Public_Library\Music\song.wma)... my question in more related to the songs in the folders inside "Music".... (as in: G:\Public_Library\Music\Jazz\song_2.wma)... I know I can add them manually one by one... so there's my question mark: ¿Is there a way to include subfolders in a especific folder into the Library?

    I know it's kind of boring, but I only remember my dad telling me "it's the small things the ones that make a difference".... Windows 7 ain't small, but so far I don't ever want to go back to XP or Vista....
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Eiber,

    You might see if you changed the Arrange by to Folders inside the Library folder if you can then add the subfolders to only be displayed in the included folders that you want.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Windows 7
       #7

    NAS


    The problem seems not to be able to solve if the folder is on a NAS,
    i.e. a WD My Book World Edition. I can find no way to inclute a NAS share or a folder into a library, and I cannot find any way to index a NAS share or a folder.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hello Sigbjornbrun, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    It just may be that, but I'm not sure.

    I can include a folder on a separate hard drive in my computer to a Library, or create a new Library with that folder without any problems.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 30
    Window 7
       #9

    I have a folder that I added to my Library, but it doesn't sync. How do I get those folders to be in sync? After I add something to the folder, the only way I can see what I just added, is to find it on the C:\\ drive. What am I doing wrong?

    Thanks in advance for any help.
      My Computer


 
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