A Method Without Madness: 7 Tips for Organizing Files on Your Computer

Wondering how to organize files on your computer?

Are the files on your computer starting to seem cluttered?

If you use your computer often, especially for business purposes, it’s important that you keep the files on it well-organized. Organizing your files in a smart way can make necessary tasks easier to accomplish and will ensure that you never have trouble accessing the files that you need. 

Luckily, we’re here to guide you. Below we’ll give you 7 helpful tips you can use to organize files on your computer.

1. Have a Clear Game Plan

The first tip to remember when trying to organize the files on your computer is that you should start with a clear plan. Decide on a filing system that works best for you and then try to stick to it with any new files that you create.

You may decide to sort files based primarily on the date, for example. You may also want to sort your files based on the filetype or the purpose it’s being used for whether that includes files related to school, work, or personal interests.

Taking your time to consider a few different file system options early on can be helpful, and if you stick to it, it can help ensure your files remain uncluttered as time goes on.

2. Avoid Common Clutter Zones

One of the best things to remember when keeping files organized is that there are a few common spots that you should generally try to keep clutter-free. You should generally avoid storing files in the “Downloads” folder on your computer or on the desktop for long periods of time.

While you may want to keep files in a download folder momentarily, you should try to move files that you download into a more permanent spot very quickly. Additionally, keeping too many files on the desktop is also problematic as doing so can add a lot of clutter to your system. 

3. Make Use of Sub-Folders

The great thing about organizing files on a computer is that you can use as many subfolders as you want. Using subfolders can be a big help when trying to keep things organized. 

For example, you can have a main folder titled “Photos” that you use to store pictures that you’ve taken. Then, you can create sub-folders within that folder relating to specific dates, to a specific vacation you had, or to certain topics.

While you may not want to go overboard in your use of subfolders, using 2-3 levels of sub-folders when organizing your files can be helpful.

4. Create a Cleanup Schedule

If you’re not careful when managing the files on your system, clutter can build up quickly. Ideally, you should place a file into an appropriate folder as soon as you create it, download it, or move it onto your computer from an external disk.

At the very least, it’s best to stick to a regular schedule of sorting your files and cleaning up your system. For example, you may set a few minutes aside each Monday to sort your files. During this time, you can ensure that there’s nothing in your desktop or download folder that shouldn’t be there. 

5. Delete Files You Don’t Need

If at any point when using your computer you happen to copy a file or create a file that you don’t need, be sure that you don’t leave it lying around.

Deleting these files can be helpful for keeping your computer organized. It can also be helpful for ensuring that you don’t run out of space on your hard drive.

While you should always be careful not to delete anything important, getting rid of duplicated or unnecessary files is an essential part of keeping your computer uncluttered and fully functional.

6. Choose Folder Names Wisely

While it may seem like a simple tip, it’s ideal to make sure you’re naming your folders in a logical way.

Folder names should always be clear and any files you add to it should be relevant to its title. Folders should always have a name that lets you know what type of file you’re likely to see in them right off the bat.

Naming folders based on the date, based on the topic, or based on a specific project or client are usually great options for keeping things as clear as possible.

7. Backup Your Files Regularly

The final thing you should remember when organizing your system is that you should take the time to back up your files regularly. Backing up your files is very important, particularly if you use your computer for business-related duties each day.

You can back up your files in several ways, but in the modern age, it’s easier to do than ever. One option is to use a cloud-based file storage service to back up your files. You may also want to back up your files using an external hard drive.

However, before backing up your system you may want to compress some of your files. Be sure to learn how to compress PDF files and other important documents before getting started with the backup process.

Understanding How to Organize Files With These Tips

If you’re wondering how to organize files in the best way, you need to consider implementing some of the tips and strategies above. By planning carefully and taking the time to organize your system, your computer will become a more useful tool for you to use in your daily life.

Looking for more computer and organization tips? Start looking through our blog now to find more helpful advice.