Organizing computer files may sound like a dull task, but the truth is, a well-organized computer is far easier to use and more efficient, too. It may take some time, but cultivating a cleaned-up machine is essential for any expert user.
In this guide, we’re going to look at how to declutter a desktop, organize file folders, and maximize productivity.
Are you ready to learn the essentials of computer file organization and make your machine easier to navigate? Then read on!
1. Cleaning Up Your Desktop
The first step to take, when organizing your computer, is to clear up your desktop. If it’s jam-packed with icons, it’s time for a clearout.
If there are any icons that you very rarely click on, you should delete them at once. Please note that deleting icons doesn’t delete the program, so you can still access it whenever you want to.
When you’ve cleared up your icons, you may want to consider resizing the ones that are left. You can shrink them down quite a bit so that they take up less space and make your desktop look even less cluttered.
2. Find Duplicate Files
Duplicate files are the bane of any organized machine. If you end up with duplicates, searching accurately becomes harder and over time, these duplicate files can even slow down your machine.
To find duplicate files, you can use a dedicated program or you can search for them using the search function on Windows or Finder on Mac. You can then delete these files as you normally would do.
3. Start Creating More Folders
Folders are the key to great organization. You should start by navigating to a folder such as My Documents or Photos, and then take a look at all the files there.
You should create some overarching folders, such as “business” and “personal.” These kinds of folders are self-explanatory.
In these folders, you can create more subfolders. For instance, in “business” you can create a folder for paystubs, one for expense reports, and another for current projects, and so on.
Creating folders and subfolders helps to keep everything in the right place. This way, if you ever need a particular file, you can find it fast.
4. Rename Your Files
Despite its best efforts, your computer does a terrible job of naming files. By this, we mean that often, your software will create a filename that’s little more than an alphanumeric. This may be fine for a computer program, but it’s not great for a human.
We’d recommend that you rename your files so that you can tell what they are at a glance. For instance, if your phone bill for July has an overly long file name, simply rename it “phone bill July 2021,” and so on.
Organizing Computer Files Makes Everything Easier
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this guide about organizing computer files. Everyone will have their own particular twist on this system, and it doesn’t matter too much what yours is, so long as you stay consistent!
Consistency is the key to good organization and helps you keep track of your files with ease.
For more helpful articles like this, check out the rest of our blog!