How to use libraries on Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

On Windows 10, libraries work similarly to folders, but they have been designed to organize files and folders into logical containers, even when the content isn’t stored in the same physical location. For example, a library can include content stored in the primary and secondary drives, allowing you to view the different places in a single unified presentation.

The system comes with four default libraries, including Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos, and each library includes the locations of the known folders. You can add and remove locations to the default libraries, or you can create custom libraries to organize specific folders.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to enable and manage libraries on your device.

How to enable libraries on Windows 10

To show libraries on File Explorer, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click the View tab.
3. Click the Navigation pane menu.

Select the Show libraries option.

Source: Windows Central

Confirm the libraries in the navigation pane.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, a new «Libraries» item will appear in the left pane. You can then double-click to expand and access the default libraries, including Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos.

If you want to disable the feature, you can use these instructions, but on Step No. 4, make sure to select the Show libraries option to clear the option.

How to add folders to a library on Windows 10

To add folder locations to a library, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Double-click to expand the Libraries option in the left pane.

Right-click the library you want to add a folder and select the Properties option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Add button.

Source: Windows Central

Select the location, such as secondary drive, or any location that is indexed by Windows Search.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Include folder button.

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After you complete these steps, the new location will be available via the library.

Alternatively, you can also include new locations by right-clicking a folder, selecting the Include in library option, and choosing the library you want to include the folder.

Remove library location

To remove a library location, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Double-click to expand the Libraries option in the left pane.

Right-click a library and select the Properties option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Remove button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the location will no longer be available using the library.

How to set the default save location for a library on Windows 10

To specify the default location that apps will use to save files in a library, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Double-click to expand the Libraries option in the left pane.

Right-click a library and select the Properties option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Set save location button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the folder you selected will become the new default location to save files.

How to delete a library on Windows 10

To delete a library on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Double-click to expand the Libraries option in the left pane.

Right-click a library and select the Delete option.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete these steps, the library will be removed, but the folders included in the library won’t be deleted from your device.

If you deleted one of the default libraries by mistake, you can always right-click the Libraries item from the navigation pane, and select the Restore default libraries option.

Hide libraries

Alternatively, you can simply hide the library instead of deleting it with these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Double-click to expand the Libraries option in the left pane.

Right-click the library you want to add a folder and select the Properties option.

Source: Windows Central

Clear the Show in navigation pane option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the library will continue to be available, but it’ll be removed from the navigation pane. If one of the libraries is missing in File Explorer, it’s likely because it is hidden.

How to optimize a library for content on Windows 10

To optimize the view of the library depending on the content, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Double-click to expand the Libraries option in the left pane.
3. Right-click the library you want to add a folder and select the Properties option.

Under the «Optimize this library for» section, use the drop-down menu and choose the type of content you’re planning to store. Options include:

Source: Windows Central

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the default library view will change according to your configuration. For example, if you select the Pictures option, the default view will include large icons and a folder that will show a preview of its contents.

How to create libraries on Windows 10

To create a custom library on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Right-click the Libraries folder in the left pane.

Select the New submenu and choose the Library option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the library and select the Properties option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Add button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Change library icon button.

Source: Windows Central

Select an icon that reflects the content.

Source: Windows Central

Click the OK button.

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the new library will available in the «Libraries» collection from the navigation pane.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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Libraries were introduced in Windows 7, and since then they become very useful way to organise your files. But, for some reason, the Libraries item is missing from the Navigation panel in Windows 10, by default.

And if you use this feature often, you might want it back, and here are a couple of ways to do it.

How can I enable Libraries in Windows 10 Explorer?

Enabling Libraries in Windows 10

To enable Libraries in Windows 10 File Explorer, follow these steps:

• Open FileExplorer
• Instead of Home, go to This PC
• In the left panel, right-click the empty space to open the context menu.
• Check the Libraries item

The Libraries item will now appear in the Navigation panel.

Customizing Libraries in Windows 10

If you want your Libraries item directly in the Home folder, instead of the Navigation panel, you can do it with a couple of registry tweaks.

• After that, go to this key:

• Create the same subkey,
• Close all Explorer windows and reopen it

Libraries will now appear in the Home folder of Windows 10 File Explorer. Strangely, Libraries will be under the Favourites group, but didn’t find the way to change this.

If you can’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, read this handy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.

Additionally, you can open Libraries from the Run dialog box, with entering just one command. To do that, press Win and R keys at the same time and enter the following command in the Run dialog box.

This command is a special shell command which will open the Libraries folder directly in your File Explorer.

Most users don’t know what to do when the Windows key stops working. Check out this guide and be a step ahead.

Fix Libraries issues

Having an issue with your libraries can be a great problem, especially if you stock your data in those folders. For those of you having problems with libraries, we suggest you check our guide on fixing Music Library.

It is a quick fix that will basically reset your Libraries, and you can apply this fix not only for the Music folder but also for Videos, Pictures, and Documents.

That should be all, we don’t know why Microsoft decided to exclude Libraries from the default Navigation bar, but as you can see, you can easily bring it back.

If you have some questions or comments, please express yourself in the comment section, below.