Library - Add a Folder to in Windows 8

How to Add a Folder to a Library in Windows 8 and 8.1

Information

Libraries are collections where you can get to all your documents, music, pictures, and other files in one single place. In some ways, a library works like a folder: you can use it to browse and sort files. But unlike a folder, a library gathers files that are stored in several locations. This is a subtle, but important, difference. Libraries don't actually store your items. They pull from included folders that contain your items, and let you access and arrange the items in different ways. For example, if you have music files in folders on your PC, a shared folder on your network or homegroup, and/or on an external drive, you can include these folders in your Music library so that you can access all of your music files from your Music library.

This tutorial will show you how to add a folder or drive to be included in a library in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note

These folders below are added/included in your libraries by default.

Documents library

C:\Users\(your-username)\My Documents
C:\Users\Public\Public Documents

Music library

C:\Users\(your-username)\My Music
C:\Users\Public\Public Music

Pictures library

C:\Users\(your-username)\My Pictures
C:\Users\Public\Public Pictures

Videos library

C:\Users\(your-username)\My Videos
C:\Users\Public\Public Videos

Note

Your libraries are in the hidden folder below.

C:\Users\(User-Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries

Only folders or drives can be included in libraries. Individual files and other items can't be included.
You can include folders in a library from many different locations, such as your C drive, an external drive, or a network (ex: homegroup). The C (Windows 8) drive itself cannot be included.
A Library can include up to 50 folders and drives.
Included folders from external drives are only accessible in the library when the device is connected.
Folders on removable media (such as CDs and DVDs) and some USB flash drives can't be included in a library.
To be able to search in libraries, the Windows Search service needs to be set to be Running and Automatic.
Libraries require it's included folders to also be added to the index to be tracked properly even though they will still open properly.

Libraries: frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows Help

[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-600][TR][TD]
Where is the folder stored?
[/TD]
[TD]
Can it be included in a library?
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
On your C drive, or other internal drives on your PC
[/TD]
[TD]
Yes
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
On a CD or DVD
[/TD]
[TD]
No
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
On a USB flash drive, SD card, microSD card, or portable external hard drive
[/TD]
[TD]
Yes, but the files and folders will be available only when the device or drive is connected.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
On a network
[/TD]
[TD]
Yes, as long as the network location is indexed, or the folder has been made available offline.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
On a different PC in your homegroup
[/TD]
[TD]
Yes
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
On a network-attached storage (NAS) device
[/TD]
[TD]
No
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

OPTION ONE

To Add a Network Folder to a Library

1. For how, see:

How to Include a Network Drive or Folder in a Library in Windows 7 and Windows 8

OPTION TWO

To Add a Folder or Drive to a Library using Manage Library Tools

1. Open File Explorer, select or open a library (ex: Music), click/tap on the Manage (Library Tools) tab, and click/tap on the Manage library button in the ribbon. (see screenshot below)

2. Click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)

3. Browse to and select a folder or drive that you want to include in this library, then click/tap on the Include folder button. (see screenshot below)

4. Repeat step 2 above if you would like to add another folder or drive to this library.

5. When finished, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 2)

OPTION THREE

To Add a Folder or Drive to a Library using Library Properties

1. Open File Explorer, right click or press and hold on a library (ex: Music), and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

2. Click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)

3. Browse to and select a folder or drive that you want to include in this library, then click/tap on the Include folder button. (see screenshot below)

4. Repeat step 2 above if you would like to add another folder or drive to this library.

5. When finished, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 2)

OPTION FOUR

To Add a Folder or Drive to a Library using "Include in library"

1. Do step 2 or 3 below depending on if you want to add a folder or drive to a library.

2. To Include a Drive to a Library

A) Open File Explorer to the Computer window, right click or press and hold on the drive (ex: System Backup D: ) you want to add, click/tap on Include in library, and click/tap on the library (ex: Music) that you want to add the drive to. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 4 below.

3. To Include a Folder to a Library

A) Do step 3B or 3C below for what you would like to do.

B) Open File Explorer, navigate to the folder (D:\HomeFolder) you want to add, right click or press and hold on the folder, click/tap on Include in library, click/tap on the library (ex: Music) that you want to add the folder to, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

C) Open File Explorer, navigate to and select the folder (D:\HomeFolder) you want to add, click/tap on the Home tab, click/tap on Easy access in the ribbon, click/tap on Include in library, click/tap on the library (ex: Music) that you want to add the folder to, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

4. You will notice that the included folder (ex: HomeFolder) or drive has now been add to the library (ex: Music). (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Library - Add a Folder to in Windows 8

To Add a Network Folder to a Library

To Add a Folder or Drive to a Library using Manage Library Tools

To Add a Folder or Drive to a Library using Library Properties

To Add a Folder or Drive to a Library using "Include in library"

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