Organize Computer Files

Step by Step Computer
Clean Up Instructions

If you don't organize your computer files, your computer can become a nightmare of electronic clutter fast! It doesn't have to be this way. Simply think about decluttering the computer files and e-mail the same as you would paper.

Let's get busy on your computer cleanup!

First let's organize computer files then move onto organize e-mails. So, you'll want to first declutter by deleting any electronic files you don't need.

Second categorize and organize what's left over.

Now onto organizing your e-mails. You'll organize these much the same way you organize computer files. Create folders for each of the main categories of your work. Weed through your e-mails and delete those you don't need and file the rest in the appropriate folder.

To maintain this system of organization, delete e-mails as they come in if you don't need them, or file in the appropriate folder. Be sure to go through all your folders and delete any e-mails that you absolutely don't need on a regular basis, say every few months. Remember, the more you utilize your folders to organize e-mails and delete any unnecessary e-mails as they come in, the less you will have to go through your folders.

So, delete any items that are old and you don't need and

Organize e-mails as they come in and you'll have a cleaned up e-mail in no time!

Computer Clean Up - for a Faster System

Once you have your computer all cleaned up, you'll want to run a disk clean up and defragmentation to keep it running fast and smooth. If you have a system maintenance like Norton from symantec, then use that, otherwise follow the following steps:

• Go to the "My Computer"
• Right click on your "C"
• Choose "properties"
• Click on "Disk Cleanup"

Your system will check for items that are safe to be removed and you'll be asked if you'd like to delete them. Click "Ok" to delete them, and your system will do the rest.

Now it's time to defrag your computer. It's a good idea to defrag your computer every week or so. Defragmentation happens when you move and or delete files like you did above when you organized your computer files.

To defrag your computer you will need to go to "My Computer" again and right click on your "C" drive. Click on "Properties", Click on "Tools", then click on "Defrag Now" and you're done.

Remember you'll want to perform these steps periodically to keep your computer system clean and defrag it to keep it in top running order.

Congratulations, you've learned how to organize computer files and maintain a system of organization that will pay itself back in time saved!

back to top of page

Return from Organize Computer Files to Home Office Organization

Return to Life Organize It