Perform Monthly File Maintenance

January 2020 — Tip of the Month

It's the beginning of a new year, which is a great time to get organized. One way to clean up is to "virtually declutter" your PC. It may be time to finally sort all those random files floating around your computer.

Most of these free-floating files are located in the "Disorganized D's":

• Desktop
• Downloads
• Deleted Files

A cluttered desktop can make your entire workspace feel disorganized. Dozens of downloads (archives, installers, etc) can make it hard to decipher which files you need and which ones you don't. Deleted files in your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) that haven't been "emptied" can take up valuable disk space. Cleaning these three categories will increase the zen level of your PC.

But how did your computer get so cluttered in the first place? Lack of regular maintenance. I speak from personal experience as I have more than once felt overwhelmed by the number of unorganized files on my computer. As a solution, I now perform monthly manual maintenance (usually the first week of each month) when I clean out and organize these areas on my PC. The screenshots and downloads still pile up at times, but not as much as they used to.

If the number of files floating around your PC is constantly growing, try some monthly maintenance. It will keep the situation from getting out of control.

- Per Christensson