Windows 7 Libraries

JDtech · 07-13-2010, 05:13 PM

The new Libraries feature in Windows 7 is not exactly hidden, but it’s bound to be used so seldom that it may as well be. Libraries are something of a paradigm shift for the Windows operating system, so it’s going to take a while for people to get used to the concept. Once they do, however, they might find that it’s one of those features they can’t imagine living without.

Ever since Windows was born, it has practically forced you to keep files in certain pre-defined locations--typically under My Documents. My Documents is still around, by the way, but now it’s located under Users…<Your Logon Name>…My Documents. Sure, you could move your document files to another location with previous versions of Windows, but if you did, you were penalised at almost every turn by having to direct Open and Save dialog boxes repeatedly to the location where you would rather save your files.

Libraries, though, put you back in control. Regardless of where your documents, music, videos, or pictures are stored, you can have all of the files instantly accessible using Windows 7’s Libraries.

To see how Libraries work, just open Windows Explorer, right-click the Documents entry under Libraries, select Properties, and then click the Include a Folder button to tell the Documents library to include specific file locations when you click the Documents library. Do the same thing for the Music, Pictures, and Videos libraries. Libraries will aggregate files on both local and network drives, so you can pull together documents from disparate locations.

boristhemoggy · 07-14-2010, 02:09 AM

Fantastic feature!

fotomavin · 07-14-2010, 08:02 AM

Excellent. Thanks

jcjacob · 07-14-2010, 10:18 AM

Just like you said, when I first started using Windows 7, I didn't pay much attention to the libraries, but now that I'm used to them, I love 'em.

Besides being able to include multiple folders and locations, it's great being able to change the default location that files in that library are saved to.

If you use the Windows Backup and Restore program for backups, by default it saves all files in libraries. If you use them to organize your data, it's an easy way to insure your data is protected.

STBear · 07-20-2010, 12:42 AM

I don't have Windows 7 yet but it will be on my next PC. Starting with a new PC will be a good time to start with libraries.

07-13-2010, 05:13 PM	#1
JDtech Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 308 Blog Entries: 1	Windows 7 Libraries The new Libraries feature in Windows 7 is not exactly hidden, but it’s bound to be used so seldom that it may as well be. Libraries are something of a paradigm shift for the Windows operating system, so it’s going to take a while for people to get used to the concept. Once they do, however, they might find that it’s one of those features they can’t imagine living without. Ever since Windows was born, it has practically forced you to keep files in certain pre-defined locations--typically under My Documents. My Documents is still around, by the way, but now it’s located under Users…<Your Logon Name>…My Documents. Sure, you could move your document files to another location with previous versions of Windows, but if you did, you were penalised at almost every turn by having to direct Open and Save dialog boxes repeatedly to the location where you would rather save your files. Libraries, though, put you back in control. Regardless of where your documents, music, videos, or pictures are stored, you can have all of the files instantly accessible using Windows 7’s Libraries. To see how Libraries work, just open Windows Explorer, right-click the Documents entry under Libraries, select Properties, and then click the Include a Folder button to tell the Documents library to include specific file locations when you click the Documents library. Do the same thing for the Music, Pictures, and Videos libraries. Libraries will aggregate files on both local and network drives, so you can pull together documents from disparate locations. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on Tech Today Online, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more. __________________ Follow me on Twitter \| My Tech Blog

07-14-2010, 10:18 AM	#4
jcjacob Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 159	Just like you said, when I first started using Windows 7, I didn't pay much attention to the libraries, but now that I'm used to them, I love 'em. Besides being able to include multiple folders and locations, it's great being able to change the default location that files in that library are saved to. If you use the Windows Backup and Restore program for backups, by default it saves all files in libraries. If you use them to organize your data, it's an easy way to insure your data is protected. __________________ -John

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07-14-2010, 02:09 AM	#2
boristhemoggy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 4	Fantastic feature!

07-14-2010, 08:02 AM	#3
fotomavin Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 21	Excellent. Thanks

07-20-2010, 12:42 AM	#5
STBear Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 26	I don't have Windows 7 yet but it will be on my next PC. Starting with a new PC will be a good time to start with libraries.