How to Keep Your Computer Files and Folders Organized

Before you know it your new computer is full of pictures, word documents and other data. The good news is you are making good use of your computer. The bad news is you can't find the document you need. It's time to do some spring cleaning and organize your files. Below you will find some tips and tricks to get things organized.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Folders - The most important thing to remember is to know what folder you are in. Take a look before you save. At times you may think you are saving it in the right folder but it ends up someplace else. You also need to name your folders accordingly. Create broad folders such as Family, Work & Finance. Inside of the family folder create folders for photos, soccer team, education, vacation info, etc. In the Finance folder you might include folders such as Taxes, Budgets, Loans, etc.

2. Name Game - Name your files properly. The name "resume" or even "cris resume" simply will not due. A better name is "cris aguilar resume rev 11709" which tells you this is your resume and the date it was created. Another example would be to name a picture with as much description such as "children roller coaster june 09" The bottom line is to be as descriptive as possible so that you are not having to open the file to know what is in it.

3. Trash - My files are a resource and I hardly throw anything out but there are some things that will simply never be used and need to be trashed. If you know you will never need it then trash it. If you know that you only need it for a week or two and then it is trash then name it something like "old resume for cris JUNK". Once a month or so do a search on your hard drive for "junk" and delete all those items that are "junk".

4. Other Users - My clients are always claiming the reason their files are such a mess is because their kids, spouses or others use their computer and create a mess. Print this out and post it near your computer and make sure everyone reads it. Also create a folder just for them. Let little Johnny know he can save all his files in the folder titled "Johnny".

5. Consistency - GIGO - Garbage In Garbage Out. If you don't keep things organized then you will have a mess on your hands. If you don't have time to file something properly then save it to the desktop. When you have a moment file those items. The system you create should make sense to others but the most important part is that it makes sense to you and that you consistently work on keeping things organized.

Tips & Warnings

• Reader Beware! This will take some time to do but in the end it will save you time. If you like to misplace files do not follow the above instructions.

[kaytay]

on 3/9/2009 great organization tips. 5* and a recommend