Organizing Your Digital Files

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Computers are designed to store digital files in an organized and efficient manner. However, if you use your computer frequently, you may find that it gets disorganized and it becomes very difficult to find a particular file when you need it. Just like with real documents, it’s important to find a way to sort things out. Here’s some advice on keeping your digital files organized and easy to access.

Don’t over-complicate it – It’s important to not go overboard with creating folders and subfolders. As long as you don’t have a bunch of files cluttering your “documents” directory, you probably have a good understanding of how to maintain your digital storage. Create folders in a way that is easy for you to navigate and understand.

Organize your file structure – The best way to start organizing your files is by creating several folders for very broad groups of files and moving all of your files into them. For example, you might sort your files into folders labeled “Work,” “Personal,” and “Photos.” Once you’ve done this, look in each folder and see how you can sort the contents into even more subfolders. So you might sort your work folder into subfolders called “Projects” and “Reports.” While you don’t want your system to be too complicated, don’t be afraid to give it some depth.

Delete old, useless files – After a while, files have a tendency to be forgotten and wind up doing nothing more than taking up space. Eliminating these unused files frees up space and makes your filing system more organized. A prime source for this sort of clutter is the downloads folder. If a file isn’t something you use or plan to store, don’t let it hang around on your computer.

Stick to your system – Even if you organize every single file on your computer to your liking, your computer will not stay organized for long. It’s essential that you also sort new files as they come in. Otherwise, you will probably end up with the same mess on your hands that you had when you started. When you receive new files or programs, make sure they end up in their proper place in your filing system – immediately.

Digital storage provides a great opportunity to organize our lives in the most uncomplicated and convenient ways imaginable. There are many tools built right into your operating system that you can use to organize the files on your computer. The trick is to organize them in a way that works for you and then stick with it.

Do you have more tips for organizing digital files. Share them with me!