Create New Library in Windows 10

How to create a new a Library in Windows 10

With Windows 7, Microsoft has introduced Libraries: a wonderful feature of the Explorer shell, that allows you to group multiple folders in a single view, even if they are located on different volumes. Searching through Libraries is also very fast, because Windows performs indexing of all locations which are included inside a Library. Here are different ways to create a new library in Windows 10.

Whenever we think of organizing our files in a single location, we create a folder. But do you know what can be done if we wish to combine all our important folders in one place? Well, you simply go ahead and create a library.

You can define Libraries in Windows 10 as a virtual collection of folders which can enhance the working experience of its users. It also becomes possible to view folders located on different volumes by grouping them together in a single pane.

By default, Windows 10 comes with the following libraries:

• Documents
• Music
• Pictures
• Videos
• Camera Roll
• Saved Pictures

Note: If the Libraries folder is not visible in your File Explorer, see the article:

Enable Libraries in File Explorer navigation pane in Windows 10

The following libraries are pinned to the navigation pane by default:

• Documents
• Music
• Pictures
• Videos

Also, check out how to move Libraries above This PC in Windows 10.

Besides the default libraries, you can create a custom library to include your favorite folders and locations. Here is how it can be done.

To Create a New Library in Windows 10,

1. Navigate to your Libraries folder with File Explorer. Tip: Even if you don't have Libraries in the navigation pane on the left, you can press the Win + R keys and type shell:Libraries into the Run box. Learn more about shell: commands.
2. Right-click on the empty space and select New -> Library from the context menu.
3. Type a name you want for your library.
4. Double click on the library you created. Click on Include folders to add them to the new library.

You are done!

There's an alternative way to create a library.

Create New Library Using File Explorer Ribbon

1. Navigate to your Libraries folder with File Explorer.
2. Click on the Home tab.
3. Select New item > Library under the New group box.
4. Type a name you want for your library.
5. The new library is just created. Double-click it to open it in File Explorer.
6. Click on Include folders to add them to the new library.

Finally, it is possible to create a new library directly from the context menu in File Explorer using the Include in Library context menu.

Create New Library Using File Explorer Context Menu

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder you want to include to a new library.
3. Right-click that folder, and select Include in library > Create a new library from the context menu.
4. A new library will be created with the selected folder included. It will be named the same as the included folder.
5. You can now include more folders to that library if required.

You are done!

Note: Windows 10 allows adding up to 50 locations to a library. You can add a local drive to a Library, an external USB drive or an SD card (starting in Windows 8.1), a network location (using Winaero Librarian but it won't be indexed). You cannot include folders stored on NAS or network-attached storage devices in the libraries. Also, you cannot add a DVD drive. These are limitations by design.

Related articles:

• Include Drive in a Library in Windows 10
• Restore Default Settings of Library in Windows 10
• Remove Folder from Library in Windows 10
• Rename Libraries Folder in Windows 10
• Change Libraries Folder Icon in Windows 10
• Add Manage Library Context Menu in Windows 10
• Include a Folder to a Library in Windows 10
• Change Icons of Default Libraries in Windows 10
• How to re-order folders inside a library in Windows 10
• How to change the icon of a folder inside a Library
• Add or Remove Library From Navigation Pane in Windows 10
• Set Default Save Location for Library in Windows 10
• Add Change Icon to Library Context Menu in Windows 10
• Add Optimize Library For to Context Menu in Windows 10
• Remove Include in Library Context Menu in Windows 10