How to organize your computer filing system

When you first get your computer it is beautifully clean and tidy and runs like a well oiled machine. After a while, however, it becomes a bit more sluggish each and everyday. Then you start to see errors and finally the computer crashes into a screaming heap.

Saving all the usual files, no matter how big or small, all add up and contribute to clogging up your computer. Photos, music, documents, programs, downloads, and more.

The best way to tackle this problem is to keep your computer organized and clear of unnecessary files.

You need to implement a file management system. Here are some tips on how to get organized.

Benefits of a Clean and organized computer filing system

Keeps your computer performing at its highest standard
Makes it easier to find a particular file. Won't need to search through all the clutter to find what you want.
Encourages you to backup your files somewhere else therefore preventing data loss

Some of my rules for organizing files on my computer

Installed programs

Every program you install should go into C:/Program Files if C: is your main drive. Sometimes people accidentally install software directly into C: drive which scatters files all over the place. Hopefully the program you install will automatically go to C:/Program Files/The Programs Name.

Below is a screenshot of my C: drive. Does yours look like this?

Organize your files - Free computer help

Personal Files

I save all my personal files into my documents. I have my own document management system for this folder. All files are arranged into folders according to their file type.

Here are some examples of folders I have in my documents. Some files such as My Music and My Pictures are created by Windows for you.

Word documents
Files from work
My Webs
Downloads
My Music
My Pictures
Saved Emails

You can create folders and name them anything you like.

This is what my Documents folder looks like.

Free computer help - Organize your computer

My tips to organize your files

Make subfolders within your folders. Organize them too.
Set up your own filing system that makes sense to you or follow my tips, but stick to it.
Always save files in the correct location. Don't be lazy.
Name all of your files properly.
Backup your files often, so they can be cleared from the computer.

The most common computer files that create clutter

Music files Music files have shrunk in size over the years, however they add up and you loose track of how many you have stored on your computer. You should regularly remove excess mp3's on to discs to keep your computer clear of clutter. A DVD disk will hold around 800 mp3's.You should store your music in C:/My documents/My music/Artist Name/Album Name. I have found this is the easiest way to find what you want and when you backup you only have to copy the MY MUSIC folder.

Downloads People often download software or files that they never even use. With all the freeware and shareware out there, it doesn't cost anything to download almost anything you like. I usually create a folders in my Documents called Downloads. Each item or program I download also goes into an individual folder. For Example if I downloaded DVD Shrink the path would be C:/My Documents/Downloads/DVD Shrink.

Picture files People send you pictures in emails, you get them off your camera, and sometimes you get them off the internet. They can come from anywhere and they add up quick. Everyone loves to share pictures. Just make sure you get them and store them in the same place re-naming them so you can recognize them later. Within My Pictures folder located in My Documents here are some subfolders I have:

Kids Photos
Screen shots
GIF animations
Funny pics
Xmas holiday
Mum's 70th Birthday
Ebay listing pics

Emails I use Message rules in Outlook Express to organize my emails. Trust me, I couldn't survive without them as I have hundreds every week. Here's how to make message rules. I also regularly clean out my emails on only keep the most important ones like password confirmations, Ebay transactions, special personal emails, and Payment records. I use a small program called Adolix Outlook Express Backup 3.0 This program is amazing. It creates backups of your email folders, addresses, and your account details. It also backups your favorites in Internet Explorer. See more tips to backup email folders

Naming your files correctly

Name your files and folders with meaningful and recognizable names. For example when you rip one of your music cd's to your computer it just names the songs track1, track 2, and so on. By the time you put the whole collection on the computer it turns into a real mess. You should store your music in C:/My documents/My music/Artist Name/Album Name. And all files should be named correctly so it is easy to find. Naming your files also allows you to search for it with Windows search. If you don't know what you are looking for, how will you find it?

Clean your computer for optimal performance

Also when you buy a new Computer from a store they pre-load it with trial software, hoping you will like it and buy the full version. This will slow your computer down right from the start. In this case you will have to go to the control panel and choose Add or Remove programs to get rid of the programs that are taking up precious space. Just make sure you know what you are removing because you could do the wrong thing and cause big problems. If you need help Remote Computer Repair Service will fix it for you while you sit on your computer at home.

New or old, it is never too late to start a fresh and tidy up the clutter of folders you have created. Read 15 Ways To Speed Up Your Computer. After you have completed these steps you should move the files you still use into their appropriate folders. Its like living in a clean house. It just feels good, I don't know why. Get organized today!

Rubbish programs - Free computer help

Extra Tips

To view your computer files in a folder by the date they were last modified, open a folder and on the View menu click Details. On the top of the column, click Date Modified.
Choose to Arrange by File type to put all the similar computer files together. This is handy when you want to move files around as it makes it easy to select them all together.
If you're backing up your information to a CD or DVD, be sure to create labels for your CDs that in some way describe their contents. For example, you might title the CD "2007 backup of my documents" or be more specific with something like "2007 Email contacts, my docs, xmas photos, resume, downloads"
After you delete an email, be sure to also clear out the deleted folder.
In Microsoft Word, you can change the default folder to where files will be saved.
On the Tools menu, click Options, and click File Locations
In the list, click Documents, and then navigate to your main directory; in this example, C:/My Documents/word documents

Here's a fun way to organize your folders and it looks great too..

How to organize computer files and create new folders in Windows Vista (video)

More Articles

Organize your Computer Why is it important and how to do it POPULAR
How to organize computer files and create new folders in Windows Vista (video)
Start your programs automatically Create a Batch File to do it for you NEW TODAY
Backup your registry file Do this before you change anything
Check your Hard drive How to scan your hard drive for errors
What to Backup A list of files you should backup from your computer POPULAR
Shutdown faster How to make Windows 2000 and XP shutdown faster
How to Create Backups Using windows XP Pro POPULAR
Defrag How to use The Disk Defragmenter on your computer POPULAR
Program Files How to change the default install directory
Remove Programs Get rid of unwanted programs safely
Clean Your LCD Screen How To Do It Properly
Remove Dust From your Computer Power Supply NEW TODAY
Backup your files and data Which storage devices are available NEW TODAY
Format your spare hard drive Format your hard drive in Windows XP NEW TODAY
Burn a CD Use the built in Cd Burner Program for Windows XP

Browse Tips4pc.com for more free computer help

About the Author

Mitz Pantic wrote this article and others for http://www.tips4pc.com Browse Tips4pc.com for more articles that are written in an easy to understand interface and FREE computer help.

This article is free to re-produce providing that the author's bio is included and the website links are still clickable...

Get Tips4pc monthly newsletter! 543 members so far!