Add Custom Libraries To Windows 7 Explorer [How To]

By Stu on September 9, 2009 (53 Comments)

Windows 7 comes with plenty of new features. Notably, Libraries. 113 Add Custom Libraries To Windows 7 Explorer [How To]

In Windows 7, the Libraries are not individual folders by themselves. Each library folder is an aggregate of various different folders and each library view is tailored to specific content.

By default , MS have provided us with four libraries. Documents, Music, Pictures & Videos.

What if you want to add a custom Library and assign a specific icon to it?

Step 1.

1a. Open an Explorer window and Right click on Libraries in the left hand pane. Navigate to New > Library.

1b. Name your Library.

Skip adding folders to the library for now.

Step 2.

You’ll need to use a 256×256 pixel icon that was made for Windows 7 and Vista for them to display properly at all of the available icon view sizes in Windows 7.

Get free icons here (You’ll need to use .ICO files for this tutorial.)

2a. Firstly, open up Notepad.

2b. In Explorer navigate to;

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries

2c. Find the new library and drag it into Notepad.

You’ll now have a bunch of text in Notepad.

Minimize Notepad for the time being.

2d. Find the icon you want to use. Hold Shift & Right click the icon and select Copy as path.

Restore Notepad.

2f. You’ll need to add the line; <iconReference>PASTE PATH HERE</iconReference> Directly beneath the <isLibraryPinned></isLibraryPinned> line in Notepad.

Example

2g. Save the file, exit Notepad and check out your new Library!

Step 3.

To are several ways to add new folders to your library.

Method 1.

The first is to double click the Library and select Include a folder. (only applies when library is empty)

Method 2.

Right click on the Library, choose Properties.

Click on Include a folder…

You can optimise the library for; Music, Pictures, Video & Documents. With this method you can also choose whether or not the library is shown in the navigation pane.

Hit Apply > OK when you’ve finished.

Method 3.

In Explorer navigate to the folder you wish to add to your Library. Make sure the folder is selected (left click once) & Right click ON the folder. Go to Include in library and choose the library you want the folder to be included in.

See this article by Thomas on putting Libraries to good use.

About Stu

Continue Reading

Free PC tips by email

Search Windows Guides

Comments

Add Custom Libraries To Window

[…] Read more: Add Custom Libraries To Windows 7 Explorer [How To] | Windows 7 #8230 […]
Pingback: Add Custom Libraries To Windows 7 Explorer [How To] | Windows 7 … | Windows (7) Affinity
Ramoncito Balboa

quite handy! i’ll try this one out. thanks
Ramoncito Balboa

quite handy! i’ll try this one out. thanks
Ramoncito Balboa

quite handy! i’ll try this one out. thanks
Jon Edlund

Awesome Rich, this is just what I had been looking for, but I never got around to asking about it. Thank you for the tip.
Jon Edlund

Awesome Rich, this is just what I had been looking for, but I never got around to asking about it. Thank you for the tip.
Jon Edlund

Awesome Rich, this is just what I had been looking for, but I never got around to asking about it. Thank you for the tip.
Add Custom Libraries To Window

[…] See the original post here: Add Custom Libraries To Windows 7 Explorer [How To] | Windows 7 #8230 […]
Pingback: Add Custom Libraries To Windows 7 Explorer [How To] | Windows 7 … | Current Technology Updates daily
rsvr85

LOL, I think we need that introduction!
rsvr85

LOL, I think we need that introduction!
rsvr85

LOL, I think we need that introduction!
Rich

I agree :) I am sensing it will be online today… I cannot reveal how I know this.
Rich

I agree :) I am sensing it will be online today… I cannot reveal how I know this.
Rich

I agree :) I am sensing it will be online today… I cannot reveal how I know this.
Mel

This is kinda cool…it just seems like msft makes it a little harder than it should be…
Mel

This is kinda cool…it just seems like msft makes it a little harder than it should be…
Mel

This is kinda cool…it just seems like msft makes it a little harder than it should be…
rsvr85

I agree, why they can’t give a context option to add new libraries WITH a custom icons seems silly!
Once you’ve done the above method a few times however, it’s really not that much of an issue.
http://www.mintywhite.com RSVR85

I agree, why they can’t give a context option to add new libraries WITH a custom icons seems silly!
Once you’ve done the above method a few times however, it’s really not that much of an issue.
rsvr85

I agree, why they can’t give a context option to add new libraries WITH a custom icons seems silly!
Once you’ve done the above method a few times however, it’s really not that much of an issue.
rsvr85

It’s OK Rich, my PC talks to me too….;)
http://www.mintywhite.com RSVR85

It’s OK Rich, my PC talks to me too….;)
rsvr85

It’s OK Rich, my PC talks to me too….;)
Introducing: rsvr85&md

[…] Add Custom Libraries To Windows 7 Explorer [How To] […]
Martin Hyson

The one thing that I wish that I could do with my Libraries is add network folders. All of my media is stored on network shares and I can’t use them with my libraries unless I change the folder location (which I don’t mind doing).
Martin Hyson

The one thing that I wish that I could do with my Libraries is add network folders. All of my media is stored on network shares and I can’t use them with my libraries unless I change the folder location (which I don’t mind doing).
Martin Hyson

The one thing that I wish that I could do with my Libraries is add network folders. All of my media is stored on network shares and I can’t use them with my libraries unless I change the folder location (which I don’t mind doing).
rsvr85

You can add network folders, all you need to do is make it available offline. (Right click network folder and ‘Always Available Offline’)’
It’ll then be indexed and ready for adding to your library ;)…..simples!
http://www.mintywhite.com RSVR85

You can add network folders, all you need to do is make it available offline. (Right click network folder and ‘Always Available Offline’)’
It’ll then be indexed and ready for adding to your library ;)…..simples!
rsvr85

You can add network folders, all you need to do is make it available offline. (Right click network folder and ‘Always Available Offline’)’
It’ll then be indexed and ready for adding to your library ;)…..simples!
Billy Vrahnos

I can use this one!
Billy Vrahnos

I can use this one!
Billy Vrahnos

I can use this one!
George S

This dosent work. I just get : The folder is corrupted. You can safely delete the library.
George S

This dosent work. I just get : The folder is corrupted. You can safely delete the library.
George S

This dosent work. I just get : The folder is corrupted. You can safely delete the library.
rsvr85

It does work George. Post your problem in the forums and we’ll try to help you through it. :D
http://www.mintywhite.com/forum/
http://www.mintywhite.com RSVR85

It does work George. Post your problem in the forums and we’ll try to help you through it. :D
http://www.mintywhite.com/forum/
rsvr85

It does work George. Post your problem in the forums and we’ll try to help you through it. :D
http://www.mintywhite.com/forum/
Good_Bytes

Exactly what i was looking for! Thanks!
Good_Bytes

Exactly what i was looking for! Thanks!
Good_Bytes

Exactly what i was looking for! Thanks!
Taha El-Agamy

The Same Problem, There Is Something Wrong…
Taha El-Agamy

The Same Problem, There Is Something Wrong…
Taha El-Agamy

The Same Problem, There Is Something Wrong…
Pingback: How To Create Custom Libraries in Windows 7 « Pale Musings
Bruno Giordano

Thank you very much for this. I was wondering for a while how to change the icons of the libraries I’ve created. Now I’ve created some icons and put them on my libraries. Thanks again.
Bruno Giordano

Thank you very much for this. I was wondering for a while how to change the icons of the libraries I’ve created. Now I’ve created some icons and put them on my libraries. Thanks again.

Windows Tools, Help & Guides