Did you know that the average laptop contains at least 500 gigabytes of storage space?
Whether you’re a professional or casual user, you probably have tons of files on your computer that you need to access easily. If you’re not diligent about your computer file organization, you can create a giant mess in a short amount of time.
Do you want to maximize productivity and make navigating your computer less complicated? Keep reading to learn 5 effective tips that can help clean up your files.
1. Avoid the Temptation to Save on Your Desktop
One of the first steps you have to take for organizing computer files is to stop mindlessly clicking the save button and allowing everything to pile up in one space like your desktop. Not only is this mountain of documents stressful to look at, but it’s also impossible to sort through in a short amount of time. This is why you need to take a few extra seconds to click the proper folder location before you save.
2. Create a File Taxonomy That’s Specific But Not Too Detailed
When people want to improve productivity, they can sometimes go overboard and create a different kind of mess. If you create hundreds of folders for your documents, then you’ll still have too many things to click through.
You should start with a few broad folders that don’t take up a lot of space. Once you click into these folders, you can create more specific subfolders that make the most sense to your brain and how you process information.
3. Name Each Document Strategically
Some people slam their keyboards to make a document name while others type a word like “blah” that reflects their feelings about the content inside. It’s best to put a lot of care into each file name so that you can know the contents of the document without needing to waste time opening it.
4. Take Advantage of Your Computers Tools
If you need help with your organization skills, your computer should have several tools that can make it easier to find what you need faster. For example, you can set your folder to display files by name, date created, unique tags, and other categories. Switching between these categories can help you whether you’re searching for an essay you wrote a year ago or you need to find the paperwork for a specific client under their name.
5. Keep Backups of Everything on the Cloud
There are tons of benefits of investing in private cloud storage for all of your documents. You can keep copies of all your data in case you ever delete a document by accident. In addition, you can always access your files from another location if you ever don’t have your computer on hand.
Computer File Organization Doesn’t Have to Be a Challenge
While it may take some time to master computer file organization, these tips are guaranteed to make your life much easier.
Do you want to learn other ways you can make the most out of your technology? If so, click around our blog so you can discover more helpful guides.