Jan042013

Is a library folder taking up twice the disk space in Windows?

Frank Leonardo asks:

Since I cook a lot, I created a library called Recipes for easy access. If I have included the Recipes folder from My Documents, and the files are in both places, are they taking up twice the disk space?


Browser: Chrome 23
System: Windows
Tagged: , , ,

8 Answers - Write an Answer

1 votes
Reply

Yiz Borol

January 4, 2013

No the library “folder” is really just a shortcut.

The way libraries work in windows is similar to their real-world counter-parts.
A library is a conglomeration of different folders from all over your computer, or even network. It make them appear together but really they’re stored separately.

0 votes
Reply

Ahmed Musani

January 4, 2013

No, of course not. It appears as only a shortcut worth few Kbs. Just like when you install a program it creates startup shortcuts.
Hope it helps.

1 votes
2 votes
Reply

ha14

January 4, 2013

Windows 7 Libraries Explained – And Why You Want Them
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/windows-7-libraries-%E2%80%93-and-why-you-want-them/
if you have multiple copy of the same file so will take more space that reserved to a single copy, another way is to make a link which of course will not take a much of space.

0 votes
Reply

FIDELIS

January 5, 2013

Hello, the libraries just include shortcuts for content from other folders. You can check the properties of folders/files when you right click on the folder/file and it will tell you the real path for it.

1 votes
Reply

Alan Wade

January 5, 2013

Reading through your question:
“Since I cook a lot, I created a library called Recipes for easy access. If I have included the Recipes folder from My Documents, and the files are in both places, are they taking up twice the disk space?”

When you say you created a ‘Library’ are you in fact referring to a shortcut icon in the Libraries folder pointing to the Recipes folder or are you referring to the fact that you created a library with your recipes in?

A little extra information will help us give you the correct answer.

0 votes
Reply

Shankar C

January 6, 2013

definitely they wont take up twice as space.
THey are just shortcuts to your preferred directory

0 votes
Reply

Jacques Knipe

January 23, 2013

Yes like everyone says, it is just a central link to all your media, where you can add numerous folders.

Write an Answer

Log in to MakeUseOf using one of your online accounts below.
(Why? Earn points, unlock giveaways, access exclusives)

Or, comment anonymously