Getting Rid of a Built-in Windows Library

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated November 16, 2020)

1

Libraries are a great feature of Windows. They collect in one place files and folders that may be scattered among several disks and several folders. The libraries don't actually contain the files, so if you delete a library your files are still in place. Windows comes configured, by default, for four default libraries:

  • Documents
  • Pictures
  • Music
  • Videos

These libraries are maintained by Windows in system files located at the following path. (Replace the username placeholder with the username of the person whose libraries you want to get rid of.)

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

If you want to get rid of one of the built-in libraries, launch File Explorer, navigate to the aforementioned folder, and delete the library file you want to get rid of. Remember—you are only getting rid of the library file, not getting rid of any files that may be aggregated in the library.

Alternatively, you can also simply navigate to the "Libraries" node in the Explorer navigation pane and then delete the library in the right pane. Again, the files that the library pointed to are not affected; just the library that pointed to these files is now gone.

 This tip (12719) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Settings Compared to Control Panel

Windows 10 has moved a lot of the settings previously found in Control Panel to the Settings app. How is the settings app ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Notification Area Icons

Getting notified of events can be useful, but if the notification icons get too numerous you may wish to turn some off. ...

Discover More

Minimizing All Open Windows in One Step

There may be times when you need to minimize all of your open windows in one quick step. Windows provides a few methods ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding the Search Index

You can utilize Explorer's search utility to find text within files. To make searches fast, Windows maintains a search ...

Discover More

Understanding the Music Folder

The Music folder is one of several system libraries specifically optimized to hold digital music. This tip tells you ...

Discover More

Creating a Library

Creating a library can be done with just a couple of clicks. Although it appears that libraries have some issues, you can ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 4 - 3?

2024-12-31 18:52:16

Faz

Thanks i can't ever remember needing those libraries, now they are no longer cluttering my explorer tree.

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.