Include Drive in a Library in Windows 10

How to Include a Drive in 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's how to add a drive to your Library.

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 collate 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.

Today’s article explains the steps you need to be follow to include a drive in a Windows 10 library.

To Include a Drive in a 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 a library and select Properties in the context menu.
3. In the ‘Properties’ dialog, click on the Add button.
4. Navigate to the This PC location.
5. Double-click on a drive in the list to open it.
6. Click on ‘Include folder’ to add the selected drive to your library.

You are done!

There's an alternative way to add a folder to a library.

Add a Drive to a Library with using the Manage Library option

1. Navigate to your Libraries folder with File Explorer.
2. Select the required library.
3. Switch to the ‘Manage’ tab under ‘Library tools’ in the Ribbon.
4. Click on the ‘Manage library’ button on the left side of the screen.
5. In the next dialog, click on the 'Add' button.
6. Navigate to the This PC location.
7. Double-click on a drive in the list to open it.
8. Click on ‘Include folder’ to add the selected drive to your library.

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.

If you found this article helpful, then don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments  below. Your feedback is very welcome.

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