In Windows 7, Microsoft decided to add a feature that made it easier to organize folders; They, however, got rid of the ability to access your user folder (unless you go through the C drive and the Users folder). In Windows 8, Microsoft did what seems to be a throwback to Windows XP where they put links to your user folders in This PC; The same problem that libraries had is still present, however; It didn't really "take" you to your user folder.
As you can see, Windows 8's system, in comparison to Windows 7's equivilent, is pretty bad, but then again, this is the same version of Windows that introduced the infamous metro interface. The thing is, what about if I told you the better libraries system was still in Windows 8?
Yep; You heard that right; The libraries system is still in Windows 8! If you want it back, click or tap View in the ribbon, then Navigation Pane > Show libraries. When you do this, the libraries will appear at in the 'navigation pane' above Network (Yep; It's at the bottom, as if Microsoft never wants you to use it!). It's in the worst possible position, however; It should be above Homegroup like it was in Windows 7.
It almost seems like Microsoft didn't want you to use it, but at the same time, it seems like they wanted you to; When you have libraries visible and start File Explorer (what Microsoft renamed Windows Explorer to), rather than showing you This PC, it will show your list of libraries just like it did in Windows 7, minus the little 'This is your list of libraries; Choose one to enter it' message at the top.
You can still create additional libraries by right-clicking and choosing New > Library and you can edit them using the Manage tab in the ribbon.
To hide the libraries, do the same thing you did to 'show' them. You can pin libraries or the list of libraries (even if you have libraries hidden) by right-clicking them and choosing "Pin to Start".
Certain Microsoft-made apps change slightly when you have libraries 'shown'; The Pictures app says "Pictures library" instead of "Pictures" and OneDrive says "Libraries" where "This PC" once was.
In conclusion, Microsoft, regardless of whether they intended or didn't intend libraries to be shown, did something right...for once.
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