Windows® 7 Secrets®

Chapter 5. Where's My Stuff? Finding and Organizing Files

In This Chapter

• Understanding Libraries

• Using the Windows shell

• Understanding virtual folders

• Working with Windows Explorer

• Finding the documents and files you want

• Creating and using custom Libraries and saved searches

Windows 7 finally fulfills a longtime Microsoft plan: to incorporate a virtualized file system whereby physical drive letters, folder locations, and other file system arcana of the past disappear behind a much friendlier interface that works more like you do. From a technical perspective, while Windows 7 includes yet another updated version of the Explorer file system, it begins the transition away from the notion of special shell folders, replacing it with a new Libraries system in which much-needed data files such as documents, digital photos, digital music, and videos are aggregated and displayed for you automatically.

Libraries are a dramatic and important extension of the virtual folders technology that Microsoft first introduced in Windows Vista. In fact, they're really just search folders, and you can make your own as well, a confusing but powerful capability. In this chapter, you will explore the Windows shell and learn how to take advantage of the new file organization features Microsoft added to Windows 7. Get your Library card out, we're heading in.

Understanding Libraries

Most Windows 7 Secrets readers are probably familiar with basic computer file system concepts like files, folders, and drive letters; ...