Clutter causes high stress levels and makes you feel less satisfied with life and digital clutter can have the same effects.
Having no computer file organization system means you are likely to misplace files or leave tasks unfinished. And to make matters worse, the longer you leave it the more daunting the task of tidying up seems.
But there are so many benefits of being a smart computer user and clearing up your electronic files. And, creating a folder organization system isn’t as overwhelming as you might think. This guide will show you exactly how.
Delete Duplicate or Similar Files
There is little point in storing or organizing copies of the same file and older versions of documents. So, the first thing to do on your computer file organization journey is to tackle duplicate file removal.
Gemini 2, the duplicate finder is a software you can download for your mac computer to identify files with the same or similar names. Then, you can check what the program found and delete all duplicate files using the program.
Plan a New Folder Structure
Before you can declutter computer files, you need to know what your new folders structure will be.
Make sure it will keep all your files neat but don’t create too many sub-folders. Be realistic and create a filing system that you will stick to.
For photos, splitting up your photos into years and then events might work well for you. And for documents, make a top-level folder for every area of your life e.g. work, medical, hobbies, travel, etc.
Rename and Remove Files as You Tidy
The next step is the most time-consuming but the most important. After you set up your new file system, you need to move your files into their correct folder. Put some music on to make the task seem less monotonous.
Remove any files you no longer need and rename them so they are easier to locate through search. If you need to keep them in chronological order, change their names so they begin with “1_” or with a date.
Choose a Secure Backup System
Once you have a new computer file organization system, you don’t want to lose your hard work or your files! Invest in a hard drive that has the same storage as your computer and perform regular backups.
Or, invest in a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox so you can back up your files straight from your computer.
Computer File Organization Made Simple
You’re likely going to be using one computer or another for the rest of your life. If your computer file organization system is in disarray now, it is only going to get worse. Don’t bury your head in the sand and tidy your files now.
You will feel so much calmer and more productive. And you can feel proud of your achievement, too!
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