Windows7How

How does Windows 7 Library Work?

December 5, 2009

In Part I, the Windows 7 feature known as Libraries was discussed in some detail. However, there are most likely some other questions to answer. These are centered on just how this new system works to allow you the ability to see so much in one central location. The next bit of useful information is to know how to customize – add or delete files to the Library – Libraries to work for your purpose, whatever that may be. Business or pleasure, Windows 7 has yet another useful feature at your disposal.

Actually, this part of the OS is just so easy to use that we can explain how it works and learn how to use it effectively at the same time. To get into a Library and understand all of this, simply open Windows Explorer, select “Libraries” on the left, and they will be right in front of you. Open one of them by your usual method. Inside you will find all of whichever type of file you chose – Documents, Music, Pictures, or Videos. The top part of the Library window will tell you how many locations the Library is looking in for the chosen file type.

This is where the customization comes in. Open the Library Locations dialog by clicking on ‘locations’ at the top of that window. This dialog tells you exactly where the Library is pointing to and registering files of the selected type. Here you have the ability to ‘Add’ and ‘Remove’ the locations where Windows looks for these files. So, for instance, if you have a folder on a networked computer where you store your important documents, you can point the Documents Library Locations right at it. The next time you look in the Library, all files within that folder which meet the criteria (documents in this case) will be there. This is known as ‘Include Folder’ function. Likewise, it is just as easy to remove file locations from the Library as well – a great idea considering there are always some files which don’t belong within any Library – especially at work.

One thing of note – an important one at that – is that Libraries cannot look into or ‘point’ to a folder which cannot be indexed. If the local system, the remote computer, or the server does not allow the folder to be indexed for whatever reason, then Libraries will ignore it. This is part of the Windows Search feature set, and that applet indexes all files and folders on your system to make them known to itself and Windows 7. If you need help with that, you should probably ask your system administrator, use your Help files in Windows 7, or visit the Microsoft Windows help website.

An interesting part of this feature is that Libraries will show up in your default ‘Save As’ and ‘Open’ dialog boxes in any application designed for Windows 7. Some older applications will not do this, but those which are certified by Microsoft for Windows 7 absolutely will. This adds even more flexibility to the Libraries feature. Now you will not as easily lose files you have saved from any compatible application or the Internet.

This is how Libraries work and how you can customize them to your liking or need. It is rather simple, and it is well thought out. This does go a long way towards making the search for some old picture, some important document, some Disco tune, or a home video of your child’s first steps a bit easier, not to mention more likely to succeed. So, will it work for you? Should you adapt your storage strategy to synch up better with Windows 7? You will have to see what works for you, but this feature will be available to keep the files you need easy to find if you choose to use it.

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Tags: documents, libraries, library, library location, remove, windows 7 feature, windows explorer