5 Steps to Removing PC Clutter


It's hard enough as it is these days to get organized and then remain that way for weeks and months down the road. We are all very busy people, some of us with 9-5 jobs and one hour commutes, and others of us busy making our lives at home work for us, with children at tow and a variety of chores to do as well as errands to run.

However, no matter how vastly different our lives may be, we all run into the same problems when dealing with organization, and that's: KEEPING organized. need to develop a system that helps your PC remain free of clutter and organized. Granted, this task doesn't come easy at first, but all it takes is a few extra steps each day, done consistently, that will maximize your results in the long run.

So, let's say you have disorganized files all over your hard drive that you have difficulty finding when you need them. Your PC keeps catching viruses out of the blue. You don't know what to do with all your spam mail. You have extra programs and freeware on your PC that you don't know anything about, and even if you did, wouldn't know what to do with them. Here are a few steps to help you get started in the right direction:

1.) Get rid of any unnecessary files or programs that are on your hard drive. This requires a little homework on your part. You'll need to set aside the time to sit down and actually take a look at all of the files on your PC and delete what you don't need. A few things to do periodically for optimal performance is to run a disk cleanup, use your system file checker, and defragment your hard drive.

2.) Organize all of your files and folders. Once you've deleted everything you don't need, take a look at what's left. Is there some way you could organize these in nice categorical folders, so that it's easier to retrieve them later on? For example, you could create a few folders underneath your My Documents folder, and give then names such as: My Journal, My TV Shows, My Videos, My Business, My Songs, My JobFind, etc. You could then place all respective files underneath these neatly organized folders. You can also take advantage of many of the folders already supplied to you by Microsoft Windows, such as My Pictures and My Music.

3.) Install adware and spyware programs. I don't think I need to stress how important it is to run antivirus and spyware software. I personally like McAffee because of its wide range of protection services, but Norton AntiVirus works great as well.

4.) Delete unnecessary shareware and freeware files. It's very important to keep your hard drive as clean and organized as possible. Remember that shareware and freeware can potentially be harmful to your computer (viruses!), depending upon which source you received your shareware from.

5.) Delete unnecessary emails and take control of spam. By now, you know to have antivirus software installed on your PC. That's a must, and will protect you if you should happen to open emails that have viruses attached to them. Before you open any of your emails, check to be sure you know the sender, and that there are no .zip or .exe attachments. Be very careful about opening files with attachments, especially from senders you don't know.

Hope many of these tips will you help you move toward the right direction in de-cluttering your PC, now and for good.

Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of http://www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of http://www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.







Related News



Personal Tech: Army to use video games for training - Salt Lake Tribune

Personal Tech: Army to use video games for training
Salt Lake Tribune, United States -Dec 1, 2008
It will watch trends in commercial video games and look for technologies that can be used in training -- but it does not plan to compete with the industry. ...

Cancer-stricken swimmer on comeback trail - International Herald Tribune

Cancer-stricken swimmer on comeback trail
International Herald Tribune, France -8 hours ago
Shanteau finished second to Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte in the 200-yard individual medley, beating his personal best when he touched in 1 minute, ...


Washington Post Personal Technology Columnist - Washington Post

Washington Post Personal Technology Columnist
Washington Post, United States -15 hours ago
4 at 2 pm ET to discuss recent reviews, answer your personal tech questions and provide gadget advice for this holiday season. Read Rob's latest tech tips ...

First Western Trust Bank Opens New Office in Denver Tech Center - MarketWatch

First Western Trust Bank Opens New Office in Denver Tech Center
MarketWatch -17 hours ago
First Western's new location, at 5460 South Quebec Street, Suite 200, is a full-service office, providing private banking, investment management, personal...

Padlock your personal data - PSU Collegio (subscription)

Padlock your personal data
PSU Collegio (subscription), KS -13 hours ago
Low-tech scams include mail theft, dumpster diving, rummaging through rubbish containing personal information, solicitation and shoulder surfing, ...

Can Clean Tech Beget ... - InternetNews.com

Can Clean Tech Beget ...
InternetNews.com -23 hours ago
"We found new ways to use personal computers and solve things." Now, he adds, the demand for energy is more, not less. Deninger, speaking at the AlwaysOn ...

AMD lowers revenue target, cites weak demand - MarketWatch

AFP

AMD lowers revenue target, cites weak demand
MarketWatch -13 hours ago
... said AMD's move highlights the softening tech market, particularly for PCs. Intel and AMD are the top makers of microprocessors for personal computers. ...
Three local tech companies lower earnings forecastsAustin American-Statesman
AMD Warns of a Revenue ShortfallBusinessWeek
all 206 news articles

Indiana seeks high-tech edge over Illinois - Gary Post Tribune

Indiana seeks high-tech edge over Illinois
Gary Post Tribune, IN -Dec 4, 2008
"You're competing directly with Chicago and the state of Illinois, which don't have the personal property tax. This is where tech districts come into play ...

Personal Tech: Digital cameras go big on video - Salt Lake Tribune

Personal Tech: Digital cameras go big on video
Salt Lake Tribune, United States -Nov 24, 2008
By Ron Harris AP Writer The holiday season brings good tidings for shutterbugs. Whether you're shopping for someone new to digital cameras or a seasoned ...

10 Things You Can Do to Give Your Computer a "Makeover" - MarketWatch

10 Things You Can Do to Give Your Computer a "Makeover"
MarketWatch -Dec 2, 2008
This according to BluePhone ( www.bluephone.com), the personal tech support hotline and "At Home Help Desk" that helps consumers get maximum value out of ...