4 Steps to Digital File Maintenance
Do you feel stressed as soon as you turn on your computer? Do you have trouble concentrating because there’s too much clutter on your screen?
Many people don’t realize that the benefits of organization extend to our computers and electronic devices as well.
If you struggle to keep up with file maintenance, then keep reading. We’ve put together a quick starting guide that’ll turn your messy digital files into an organized masterpiece!
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Pick a Location
Do you have four folders listed as ‘recipes’ located in four different locations? This is a sure sign you need to go through file system maintenance.
Before you begin moving things around, it’s best to pick your system hub. The place on your computer that’s both easy to access and easy to manage is the perfect spot to use as a central hub.
Many people enjoy putting their organizational hub on the desktop. Others prefer working with cyberlockers, such as Dropbox, so that they have access to their files from any device. If you’re having trouble with organizing your Dropbox account, make sure to go here for more information!
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Create the Right Organization System
There is no right or wrong way to organize your files. It all stems from what works best for you and your needs.
As a beginner, you’ll want to figure out if you prefer going alphabetical, numerical, or by dates. Some people prefer to separate their files and folders into important sections and then organize further from there.
Don’t be afraid to try something out and then change it later. As you get more use out of your system, you’ll learn what works for you!
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Utilize Metadata
As you’re going through your file cleanup, make sure you use the metadata feature. This is something many people don’t realize is available on their regular computer files.
Even when you have everything organized to your desires, sometimes a file belongs in two places at once. This makes it difficult to know which is the best place to ultimately put it.
By using metadata, you can assign tags to each file. This way, when it’s time to search for something specific, all files with that tag will come up in the results. This makes it easy to find what you need without any hassle.
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Stay Vigilant
Once you’re organized, it’s important to keep up with your new system. Take some time every week to go through your files and put them where they belong. Do a disk cleanup of temporary files so that you don’t have unnecessary things slowing down your efforts.
Emphasizing organization once a week will ensure you never have to do a deep dive file cleaning ever again!
Proper File Maintenance Is Easy Once You Start
Whether you want good file maintenance for your business or to give yourself a clearer head at home, all of these steps will help you achieve your goals. It seems overwhelming at first, but once your system is in place, you’ll feel much better.
Clearing away clutter is always the best choice!
If you’re on the lookout for more ways to improve your lifestyle, check out the rest of our blog!
