Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Microsoft

Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity

By Greg Shultz July 28, 2011, 1:32 AM PDT

Image
1
of 5

6267425.png
6267425.png
Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity

Windows 7 provides you with four Libraries

Windows 7 provides you with four Libraries

ntBy default Microsoft Windows 7 provides you with four Libraries: Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos.

n

ntYou can think of the Libraries technology in Windows 7 as collection points for files of a certain type that can exist in any number of locations. By default, Windows 7 configures the Libraries on a system to display files from your local system. For example, the Documents Library displays files from the My Documents and Public Documents folders on your system. However, you can easily add other locations.

n

ntFor example, you can customize the Documents Library on a Windows 7 system to display all the documents on an external hard disk, on your team members’ My Documents folder, as well as on your company’s file server. Now, instead of having to manually troll all over the network to track down files, all you have to do is just go to your local Documents library and everything that you could ever need is right there.

n

ntIn addition to adding folders to one of the existing Libraries, you can create your own Libraries with narrower focus and add specific folders to your libraries.

n

ntIn this gallery edition of the Windows Desktop Report, I’ll show you how to create your own Libraries in Windows 7. As I do, I’ll discuss Libraries in more detail.

Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity

By default, each of Windows 7's Libraries is configured to collect files from two locations

By default, each of Windows 7's Libraries is configured to collect files from two locations

ntTo begin, when you open a Library, you’ll see a header that tells you how many locations that Library is currently configured to monitor. For example, the Pictures Library is by default configured to collect files from two locations.

Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity

The two default locations come from the Pictures folders in the current user account and the Public account

The two default locations come from the Pictures folders in the current user account and the Public account

ntWhen you click on that link, you’ll see the Pictures Library Locations dialog box. As you can see, the two default locations come from the Pictures folders in my user account and the Public account. You’ll use the Library Locations dialog box to add and remove locations, as well as keep tabs on which locations are in the Library. (Each of the other three Libraries has a similar Library Locations dialog box.)

n

ntWhen you click the Add button, you’ll see a standard browse dialog box called Include Folder in Pictures where you can add folders from any location to which you have access.

Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity

Just click the Include a folder button to get started

Just click the Include a folder button to get started

ntCreating your own Libraries

n

ntCreating your own Libraries is easy; access the Libraries folder and click the New Library button on the Command Bar. You can see that button in Figure A. As soon as the new Library is created, you can assign it a name. Let’s suppose that you want to create a new Library to keep track of all the documents related to a new project that you and your team are working on called the Ideas Project.

n

ntTo continue, just click on the new Library, when you do, you will see that it is empty and can begin adding folder locations by clicking the Include a folder button. When you do, you’ll see a standard browse folder and you can select the folder that you want to include.

Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity

You can add specific folders to your Library to make it easy to find related documents

You can add specific folders to your Library to make it easy to find related documents

ntTo add additional folders, click the locations link to access a Library Locations dialog box like the one shown above. As you can see, I have added three folders from three different locations to the Ideas Project Library on my system. Now, whenever I need to find documents related to the Ideas Project, I will be able to find them easily without having to rummage around multiple locations.

  • Microsoft
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity

    Your email has been sent

Share: Slideshow: Create new Libraries in Windows 7 and increase productivity
Image of Greg Shultz
By Greg Shultz
My first computer was a Kaypro 16 \"luggable\" running MS-DOS 2.11 which I obtained while studying computer science in 1986. After two years, I discovered that I had a knack for writing documentation and shifted my focus over to technical writing.
  • Account Information

    Contact Greg Shultz

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Greg's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×