Libraries in Windows 10

A Library is a virtual storage space that accumulates files from several locations and provides them as a single collection. For example, you can specify three folders with different collections of photos as part of your pictures library, which are grouped together as a single collection. It's easy to configure File Explorer so your libraries appear in the Navigation Pane.

Add Libraries to the Navigation Pane

1. Click the File Explorer icon.

   Libraries aren't technically folders, so they won't typically appear in your local disk drive.

2. Click the View tab.
3. Click Navigation pane.

   Navigation pane options appear.

4. Select Show libraries.
   

   Libraries appear in the Navigation pane.

5. Click the expand arrow next to Libraries to view your Libraries.
6. Click a shortcut to open that Library.
   

All the files in the Library appear.

Add a Folder to a Library

Follow these steps to add a folder to a Library.

1. Click the Manage tab.
2. Click Manage library.
   

   You can review the folders currently in the Library.

3. Click Add.
   
4. Click to highlight a folder, and then click Include folder.
   
5. Click OK when finished.
   

The folder appears in the Library.

Create a Library

There are many ways to quickly access files you need; however, there may be an instance where you need to create a brand-new Library.

1. Click to highlight Libraries.
2. Click the Home tab.
3. Click the New item button.
4. Choose Library.
   
5. Type a library name, and then press Enter.

   The Library is created, but it's empty.

6. Click the Manage tab.
7. Click Manage library.
   
8. Click Add, and then choose a folder to add to the Library.

   Repeat for additional folders.

9. Click OK when finished.