Simply Happier

Its easy to let your computer become a complete mess. If you have 5 folders all named New Folder, then it may just be time to sort through some of your files and do some organization. This can make it easier to find files your looking for when you need them, and makes your computer look much more neat and organized.

Here are a few tips for making this process of cleaning up your pc go much easier and be more efficient.

Clear duplicate Files

One of the simplest things you can do to clear up files is to delete duplicate files sitting around. After all, do you really need 10 pictures of your neighbors car which all have different names? Be aware that duplicate files can be very good at hiding. You could have a picture with a name given to it by your digital camera, and also one which you copied and renamed somewhere else.

If your a windows user, and don’t check your my documents folder very often then it may just be a good place to start. You never know what old files may be sitting around in there.

Move rarely used files

If you have an external storage device such as a large flash or hard drive, you can back up many of your unused files onto it. This gets these files off your computer, and out of your way. Re-Writable CDs and DVDs can also be good for this, especially since they are generally much cheaper then some of the alternatives. If your using the CD/DVD method and the data is important than you may want to spend the extra money and invest in high quality media that is rated well for archiving to protect your data. Also, remember to store them in a place that they will not easily get damaged.

Use a bulk re-naming program

This is especially useful for things like music and media files. These programs can be used to rename those hundreds of songs or photos with random auto-generated names into something more meaningful. You are likely to find many variations of these programs that can meet your specific needs by doing a simple internet search.

Create Structure

Its easy to just make a new folder and forget to give it a meaningful name when your just looking for a place to put something. The downside of this is when your looking for it a week later and cant find it because you don’t remember that its in New Folder(10). There is no easy solution I know of to this problem other than going through your folders and giving them meaningful names.

This can also be a good time for folder consolidation also. For example, you can have a Pictures folder and an Vacation sub-folder instead of having two folders in two completely different places.

Things we forget to do

Here are a few of the routine maintenance tasks that are easy to forget, but can really be helpful when we remember to do them.

Check for unused programs

Clean unused icons on your desktop

Run the defragmentation tool

Empty your recycling bin

Clear old emails