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The reason to do these steps (sorting files into the _Inbox and 2022 folder) at the same time is because you will invariably find some files that don't fit neatly into either category. Select them all and move them into the 2022 folder.
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Some clear-cut examples are photos you took in 2022. Identify other files that you worked on this year and move them into the current year folder. The next step is to identify your active files, meaning files you open or work on at least once a month. Move Active and Recent Files Into the Folders You Just Created
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The underscore causes the folder to appear at the top of the list when folders are sorted alphabetically.ģ. I address those points a little later too.Ĭreate a second folder and call it "_Inbox." Put this new folder at the same level as your 2022 folder so they appear next to one another. Similarly, Google Drive users will find they need a few unique pointers related to cleaning up files shared with them. In OneDrive, put it in My Files.įor this method of organizing, OneDrive is perhaps the most cumbersome system to work with, but I have some additional tips for OneDrive users, which I cover toward the end. For example, in Dropbox, put this new folder right in the Dropbox folder. This folder should live in your topmost layer of organization. Create a Folder and Name It for the Current Yearįirst, make a folder and call it "2022," or whatever is the current year. But let me cut to the chase and show you what it is and how to do it.ġ. I've used it reliably for almost two decades, and it has never failed me.Īt the end of the article, I have a few words about what makes this system work. It works for cleaning up your online storage, as well as tidying up email accounts, local storage, and even paper files such as family documents (which you should also digitize). This strategy is one I've written about numerous times. So let me share with you the simplest, most efficient way to quickly clean up your files. The optimism fades after a few years as people accumulate more digital stuff than their minds can remember. How much do you rely on search to find the files and folders you need? I've met many an optimistic person who believes search is good enough to always pull up the files they want in mere seconds.
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