Use File Explorer Libraries in Windows 10/11 to Group Folders Without Moving Files

Use File Explorer Libraries in Windows 10/11 to Group Folders Without Moving Files​

Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 10 minutes
If your files are scattered across different folders or drives, you do not need to move everything into one place to make them easier to access. Windows includes a built-in feature called Libraries that lets you group folders together in File Explorer while leaving the actual files exactly where they are.
This is especially useful if you keep documents on a second drive, store photos in multiple folders, or want one convenient view of related content without creating duplicates. In this guide, you’ll learn how to enable Libraries in File Explorer, add folders to a library, create your own custom library, and troubleshoot common issues in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

What Are Libraries?​

A Library in Windows is a virtual collection of folders. It shows content from multiple locations in one place, but it does not move or merge your files physically.
For example, you could create a library called Work Projects that includes:

• C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Projects
• D:\Client Files
• OneDrive\Reports

When you open that library, you see content from all included folders together.

Benefits of Using Libraries​

Libraries can help you:

• Group related folders without moving files
• Access content from multiple drives in one view
• Keep work, school, or media folders organized
• Avoid duplicate copies of files
• Save time navigating through File Explorer

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, make sure:

• You are using Windows 10 or Windows 11
• You have access to the folders you want to include
• File Explorer is available normally on your system

Note: Libraries are built into both Windows 10 and Windows 11, but they may be hidden by default in the navigation pane.

---

Step 1: Open File Explorer​

First, open File Explorer.
You can do this by:

1. Pressing Windows + E
2. Clicking the File Explorer icon on the taskbar
3. Opening it from the Start menu

This will bring up the main file browsing window where you’ll make all changes.

---

Step 2: Show Libraries in the Navigation Pane​

In many Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations, Libraries are hidden by default. You’ll need to make them visible.

In Windows 10​

1. Open File Explorer
2. Select the View tab on the ribbon
3. Choose Navigation pane
4. Click Show libraries

In Windows 11​

The exact layout may vary slightly depending on your version of Windows 11, but the usual method is:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click the three-dot menu on the command bar, or right-click in the left navigation pane
3. Choose Show
4. Enable Navigation pane options if needed
5. In the left pane, right-click an empty area and select Show libraries

After this, you should see Libraries in the left-side navigation area of File Explorer.

Tip: If you do not immediately see the option, try right-clicking directly in the blank space of the navigation pane on the left side of File Explorer.

---

Step 3: Open the Libraries Folder​

Now that Libraries are visible:

1. In the left navigation pane, click Libraries
2. You should see the default libraries, such as:
   • Documents
   • Music
   • Pictures
   • Videos

These are standard Windows libraries and can already contain more than one folder.

---

Step 4: Add a Folder to an Existing Library​

If you want to group folders into one of the built-in libraries, you can add your folder there.

1. Browse to the folder you want to include
2. Right-click the folder
3. Select Show more options on Windows 11 if needed
4. Choose Include in library
5. Select one of the available libraries, such as:
   • Documents
   • Music
   • Pictures
   • Videos
   • Or another custom library if you already created one

Once added, that folder becomes part of the selected library, but the folder stays in its original location.

Important: Adding a folder to a library does not move it, rename it, or copy its files.

---

Step 5: Create a Custom Library​

If the default libraries do not fit your needs, you can make your own.

1. In File Explorer, click Libraries
2. Right-click Libraries
3. Select New
4. Choose Library
5. Type a name for the new library, such as:
   • Work Files
   • School Projects
   • Family Photos
   • Archive
6. Press Enter

Your new library will now appear under Libraries.

Add folders to your new library​

1. Right-click the new library
2. Select Properties
3. Click Add
4. Browse to the folder you want to include
5. Select the folder and click Include folder
6. Repeat for any additional folders
7. Click Apply, then OK

Now your custom library will display content from all selected folders.

---

Step 6: Set the Default Save Location​

Libraries can also have a default save location. This means when an app saves to that library, Windows will use one chosen folder as the actual destination.
To set it:

1. Right-click the library
2. Select Properties
3. In the list of included folders, click the folder you want as the default
4. Select Set save location
5. Click Apply, then OK

Note: This does not affect how the library displays other included folders. It only changes where new files are saved by default.

---

Step 7: Optimize the Library for Content Type​

Windows can optimize a library for certain types of files, improving how it is displayed.

1. Right-click the library
2. Select Properties
3. Find the Optimize this library for setting
4. Choose the best match:
   • General Items
   • Documents
   • Music
   • Pictures
   • Videos
5. Click Apply, then OK

For example, a photo collection library may look better when optimized for Pictures.

---

Step 8: Use Your Library in File Explorer​

Once your library is configured, click it anytime from the navigation pane. You can:

• Browse included folders in one place
• Search across all included locations
• Sort and group files
• Open files normally
• Save time switching between folders

This makes Libraries a great solution for users who want simple organization without changing where files are stored.

---

Tips and Troubleshooting​

Tip: Use Libraries for multiple drives​

Libraries are especially helpful if your files are split across C:, D:, or external storage. You can bring them together in one view without reorganizing your disk structure.

Tip: Great for photos and documents​

If you keep images in several folders, a single library can give you one convenient photo browsing location.

Warning: Not every folder type works well​

Some system folders or special app folders may not behave normally in libraries. Standard user folders usually work best.

Troubleshooting: “Include in library” is missing​

If you do not see Include in library:

1. Make sure Libraries are enabled in File Explorer
2. On Windows 11, click Show more options after right-clicking
3. Try adding the folder through the library’s Properties window instead

Troubleshooting: Network folders may not add properly​

Some network locations are not supported directly unless they are indexed or made available offline.

Note: If a network folder refuses to join a library, try syncing it locally or using an indexed location.

Troubleshooting: Library not visible anymore​

If Libraries disappear from the left pane:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Right-click the left navigation pane
3. Re-enable Show libraries

Tip: You can remove folders later​

If you no longer want a folder in a library:

1. Right-click the library
2. Select Properties
3. Select the folder
4. Click Remove

This removes it only from the library view, not from your computer.

---

Conclusion​

Libraries remain one of Windows’ most useful but overlooked organization features. They let you group folders from different locations into a single view, making File Explorer much easier to use without moving, copying, or duplicating files. For beginners, this is a fast and low-risk way to tidy up file access while keeping your existing folder structure intact.
If you regularly jump between multiple folders for work, school, photos, or personal files, setting up Libraries can save time and reduce clutter almost immediately.
Key Takeaways:

• Libraries group folders together without moving files
• They work in both Windows 10 and Windows 11
• You can use default libraries or create your own custom ones
• Libraries support multiple folder locations and searchable views
• They help organize File Explorer while preserving your current folder structure

---

This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.