Cleaning and organizing your laptop can improve your productivity and work efficiency because the majority of us use our laptops on a daily basis to complete various business tasks. Not everyone is capable of saving files in the right folders; you probably put everything on your desktop hoping that you will eventually get back to it and move it to the right place.
Time goes by and your computer gets crammed and untidy. Finding the files you want or need becomes almost impossible because you have probably forgotten where you saved them — or even the very names of the documents. Yes, I know that sorting out files can be a bit tiresome because chances are your laptop is filled with various unnecessary things that will probably end up in the recycle bin.
However, if you follow the tips below, the entire process will be quicker and easier.
1. The importance of large folders
Creating a couple of general folders will help a lot. Start by dividing your files from photos and media; you can add subfolders later on. For instance, create one large folder for your work, one for your photos, and one for your private documents. Place them in a visible location, such as your desktop. You can arrange them as you want, but my advice is to keep them close to each other for the sake of organization.
2. Subfolders
Once you have your large folders ready, it is time to add a couple of subfolders to keep everything organized. As an example, you can divide your work folder into “completed work” and “work in progress”, depending on your profession. This is an excellent way to improve your productivity because you will know exactly what you need to do next. The folder with your photos can be divided into “random photos” for your snapshots and “my photos” where you can keep everything in folders with the exact date when the pictures were taken. Your camera usually transfers files to your computer with the dates included, so this step will be quick.
3. Short names
There is no need to get super descriptive with the names of your folders. Keep it short and simple. As an example, if you are dividing your work folder by file type, you should name your folders “PDFs” or “PowerPoint”. You will know exactly what you will find in these folders with a single glance.
4. Archiving
Archiving the files you will not need any time soon is also a great way to clean out the clutter. If you don’t want to delete specific files, create a folder on your hard disk where you’ll place all the documents you might need one day. This is a great way to clean out your desktop without permanently deleting something important; you will know exactly where everything is.
5. Duplicates
Believe it or not, you have numerous duplicate files on your computer. Perhaps you have downloaded the same file a couple of times by accident and all of them are in your “Downloads” folder taking up valuable space. Or perhaps you unintentionally pasted the same folder somewhere on your device. There are a couple of software programs designed to clean out the duplicates if you are unable to do so yourself. Duplicate Cleaner is one of them and it is very easy to use. As a matter of fact, all you need to do is install it and run the software. It will do the rest on its own and delete unnecessary duplicates from your laptop.
6. Unused programs
We all have a bunch of programs on our computers that we haven’t used in ages. They take up a lot of space on your hard disk and it is time to get rid of them. Go to your Control Panel and simply uninstall the programs you do not plan on using any time soon. You will free up a lot of space on your laptop — space that can be used for more important things in the future.
7. Desktop background
Choosing the right desktop background is very important. You can go for a relaxing snapshot of nature or something artistic and abstract, depending on your taste. However, try to keep it clean and fitting. Desktop backgrounds can help you with organization as well; download one that is divided into marked sections telling you which folders to place there. If you are having trouble arranging your desktop folders and keeping them in the right place, this desktop background design can help you out immensely.
8. Be consistent
Once you are done cleaning and organizing, it is important to stay consistent. This might be the hardest part of the process because you need to continue sorting out the files in an entirely new way. If you get the urge to start cluttering up your desktop once again, restrain yourself and remember that you have a folder where you are supposed to save your work. If you go back to your old disorganized behavior, the cleaning process has been in vain and will never be completed. Simply remember these steps before you save a file in a random place on your laptop.
Conclusion
This task might seem pretty hard for you, especially if it is your first time cleaning and organizing your laptop. The best way to start is to simply dive in without a second thought. Don’t wait for the weekend or your vacation because chances are you will completely forget about it or you’ll delay it as much as you can. Plus, the process is not difficult; once you start, you will see how easy the whole thing really is. As soon as you create the right folders, sorting out your files will feel like a breeze. Also, don’t forget to stay consistent and keep your laptop clean afterwards as well.
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