Each folder is stored at a specific point in your computer's file system. A library is a kind of smart folder that presents files from different folders as if they were all stored in the same location. In fact, each file remains in the folder in which you stored it, but the library gives you an easy way to access it., Libraries gather folders that are stored in different locations so you can browse them in one place. You can include folders and drives to a library as you like. When you include a folder in a library, the files appear in the library, but continue to be stored in their original locations., It is virtual because it does not exist as a real folder. A library is a reference to one or more folders on your computer and the files found inside those folders. For example, you can have documents stored in multiple locations like your Documents folder, on the desktop and some other locations., A Library is a virtual storage space that accumulates files from several locations and provides them as a single collection. For example, you can specify three folders with different collections of photos as part of your pictures library, which are grouped together as a single collection., Windows libraries allow you to organize files without moving them from their location. Libraries can be created and customized to improve data management. It is important that the included folders are indexed to ensure better performance. Some storage locations do not support Windows libraries., Windows Libraries, introduced in Windows 7, pull multiple folders into a single view for convenience. They can be confusing because they’re not actual folders but a virtual view. While useful for organizing, they require proper understanding to avoid issues. They’re safe to ignore entirely..