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,
- 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.
- Right-click on the empty space and select New -> Library from the context menu.
- Type a name you want for your library.
- 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
- Navigate to your Libraries folder with File Explorer.
- Click on the Home tab.
- Select New item > Library under the New group box.
- Type a name you want for your library.
- The new library is just created. Double-click it to open it in File Explorer.
- 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
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to the folder you want to include to a new library.
- Right-click that folder, and select Include in library > Create a new library from the context menu.
- A new library will be created with the selected folder included. It will be named the same as the included folder.
- 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
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