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Spring Cleaning for Your Computer

Time to Clean Up Your Work Area

Feb 16, 2009 Paym Bergson

Those in business or who use a computer for any kind of work or even tax calculation should now turn their thoughts to cleaning up and cleaning out their computers.

It's easy to procrastinate. But with warmer weather and tax time just around the corner, it's important to not just think about, but to start actually cleaning up your computer – inside and out!

Yes, your computer does remind you of extra icons on your desktop that haven't been used in awhile. However, don't let a computer tell you what you need to keep or get rid of – get into the habit NOW of figuring out what you need, and where to put it.

Organize Your Files into Folders

It does NOT matter if you use your Desktop of your computer as, well, a desktop, with lots of files within easy access. What does matter is if you can find what you need quickly. Scanning through rows and rows of files for that one important scanned receipt or letter from Aunt Mary does nothing for your efficiency. So start organizing your files, pictures, whatever, into folders. Give the folders names that actually mean something to you. For example, try gathering all those jokes or fun puzzles into one folder called "Fun stuff". And put those pictures from last year's vacation to the summer cottage in a folder called "Vacation 2008 at Summer Cottage".

If you work from home at all, or have used your personal computer for work related issues – ensure you keep your work separate from your personal stuff. Even better, consider using a memory key or memory stick (portable drive) for all your work related issues. Use as many keys as needed, and label each on the outside as well as using an internal label. For example, keep client work on individual keys with their name on each key or stick.

Get Rid of Extraneous Information

If you haven't opened or used that file or information in a few months, chances are that information does not need to take up permanent space on your computer. So store that info – on a back up disk or CD, or even another memory stick. Then ensure you DO delete said information from your computer. Remember, when you start up or search your computer, it goes through everything to find a solution to your request. Don't waste space or time on information not used on an ongoing basis.

Don't Forget the Outside of Your Computer

Your computer casing and hardware needs to be cleaned on a regular basis as well. Keyboards need to not only have the surface cleaned, but the dust removed from between the keys. A soft brush on the vacuum cleaner will do this nicely. Don't use cloths that can leave fibres behind – think car cloths (but not car cleaners, please!) There are sprays made for computer screens - but a very lightly damp cloth will do the trick as well – BE GENTLE. Also, it's a good idea to have your computer turned off when cleaning it.

Bottom Line

Spring cleaning is not just to refreshen the house, but helps you reorganize and refocus. So clean up your computer using the above tips. This will help you also reorganize your thoughts and create a neater desktop, and Desktop!

The copyright of the article Spring Cleaning for Your Computer in Career Advice is owned by Paym Bergson. Permission to republish Spring Cleaning for Your Computer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Sweep Out Your Computer for a Fresh Start!