How to Show or Hide the Libraries Folder on Windows 11

Windows 11 comes with a separate Libraries folder which is found in the File Explorer and is hidden by-default. This is a nice way to organize your important files and folders that you access frequently. So, if you have multiple folders stored on your local PC or in some hidden storage folder, you can store them all in the Libraries folder  and access the files and folders from this single location.

The actual location of the Libraries folder is – %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries. This folder works as an aggregator where you can store all the files you access regularly an save time from accessing multiple folders from different locations. And, the best part is, if you think that copying the files and folders to Libraries will occupy more storage space on the hard disk, it won’t. So, you do not lose any disk storage if you copy folders to the Libraries folder, and rather, gives you easy access to all your important documents from a single location.

Moreover, some folders like the Music, Videos, Camera, or Saved Pictures all appear automatically in the Libraries folder. However, you won’t be able to access the Libraries folder directly, since it’s hidden. This post will help you to show or hide the libraries folder on your Windows 11 PC. Here’s how..

 

How to Show or Hide Libraries in Windows 11 File Explorer

 



To unhide the Libraries folder and store your important documents in it, follow the below instructions:

 

Step 1: Press the Win + R keys together on your keyboard to launch the Run command window.

Step 2: In the Run command search bar, type control.exe folders and hit Enter to open the Folder options dialogue box

 

Run Command Control.exe Folders Ok

 

Step 3: In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.

Now, in the Advanced settings field, scroll down and under the Navigation pane section, check the box next to Show libraries.

Press Apply and then OK to save the changes and exit.

 

Folder Options View Tab Advanced Settings Navigation Pane Show Libraries Check Min

 

Step 4: The Libraries folder is now visible and it appears on the left side of the File Explorer pane.

 

File Explorer Libraries Folder Added To The Left Side Of The Pane Min

 

*Note – To hide the Libraries folder in the Windows 11 File Explorer, repeat the Steps 1 and 2, and then navigate to View tab > Advanced settings > Navigation pane. Now, uncheck the box next to Show libraries.

How to Add/Remove Folders to the Libraries on Windows 11

 

Now that you can see the Library folder, you can add folders to the Library and even remove them. Here’s how you can add a folder to Libraries on your Windows 11 PC:

 

Step 1: Press the Win + E shortcut keys on your keyboard and the File Explorer window opens.

Step 2: In the File Explorer window, go to the folder which you want add to the Libraries folder.

Now, select the folder, right-click on it and click on Show more options in the context menu.

 

Navigate To Folder To Be Added To Libraries Right Click Show More Options Min

 



Step 3: This will open another set of options.

Select the Include in Library option and then either click on the current folder or select the Current new library option.

 

Include In Library Select Current Folder Or Current New Library Min

 

You have successfully added the folder to the Libraries folder. Now, when you go to the Libraries folder, you will now be able to access the new folder directly from here.

 

*Note – To remove the folder you added or another folder from Libraries, simply select the folder and hit Delete, just like you would do in normal cases. Moreover, the deleted folder is only deleted from the Libraries folder and not from the original location. So, nothing to worry. It’s like deleting a shortcut icon.