So much information in our lives is now in digital format, and it is easy to overlook the messy files on your computer’s hard drive. In the Globe and Mail article, Declutter Your Computer in Three Minutes, I provided some tips to tidy your virtual space.
The Three Minute Solution
As I mentioned in the article, the hardest part is starting a project that feels overwhelming. “Conquering the challenge is a matter of “consistency over time… Don’t feel you have to finish the job in one sitting. That’s just setting up an unnecessary burden. Instead, resolve to spend a small chunk of time – it could be three minutes or an hour – organizing your files every time you turn on the computer.”
File Properly
“Choose whatever filing system makes sense for you, whether alphabetical, chronological or arranged in some other way. “It depends on you and your own brain” However, use logical and easy-to-understand file names. If you use a name like “TBQ.doc,” you might not remember what that means in the future.
Keep your folder structure streamlined and straightforward. “People spend so much time with elaborate, perfect systems. They colour code; they get labels to do green files for this and yellow files for this. They create these complicated systems only to have one file in the folder.”
Be Ruthless
Be strict when you declutter your computer. Uninstall programs you don’t use and reinstall them when – or if – you need them. Delete duplicates of documents and media (movies, music, images) and anything you will never need again. If you are worried that you might need it again, save it on an external hard drive. If you haven’t accessed the files in over a year, then it’s probably safe to delete them permanently – except for files you need to keep for legal or tax reasons.
Back It Up
Finally, back up your system to ensure you have all your essential information. You should regularly back up to an external hard drive and a cloud drive.
Please read my article on Digital Downsizing, or contact the Out of Chaos team to learn how to declutter your computer in three minutes.
