How to: View, Create Libraries in Windows 10

Infopackets Reader Tim G. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

Since I upgraded to Windows 10, I cannot find how to view or create Libraries. Previously I was using Windows 7 and used Libraries extensively to sort my files. Can you help? "

My response:

The Libraries feature in Windows 10 is somewhat hidden, but you can make it viewable if you do the following:

1. Click Start and then click This PC.
    
2. A Windows File Explorer window will open; at the top left of the screen you will see the following tabs: File, Computer, and View. Click the View tab. The first option is Navigation Pane; click that, and then click Show all Libraries.

Once you have enabled the Libraries icon, you may want to create your own Libraries, described next.

How to Create a Library in Windows 10

Creating a Library is easy once you have enabled the Libraries in the Navigation Pane (as per instructions above).

To create a Library, do the following:

1. On the left of the screen (under the Navigation Pane) you should see the icon for Libraries. Left click the Libraries icon to select it, then right click over top of it and click New to create a new Library.
    
2. A Library icon will appear with the default name "New Library". Rename the Library to whatever you want (for example: my vacation pictures).
    
3. Once the new Library has been labeled, double click it to access its contents. Since the Library was just created, it will be empty and you will see a message stating that "No folders have been included in this library". Click the button underneath that which says "Include a Folder", and choose a folder that belongs to that Library.
    
4. To include more folders in the Library, simply drag and drop them into your desired Library. If you don't want to drag and drop, you can also right click on any file or folder at any point and select the 'Include in Library' option.

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About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat service (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.