How to tidy up your virtual workspace
With many of us spending at least some portion of our day on a computer for work or leisure, it doesn’t take long for our virtual workspace to become cluttered with folders and documents.
And with more people working from home than ever, our desktops are increasingly mixing our personal and professional lives, making our screens harder to organise. Luckily, we’ve come up with some nifty tips and tricks to help you regain control.
Master your folder system
Are you overwhelmed by the number of files on your desktop? Move them all to one folder so you can see them in a list and begin working out the categories they fall into.
Next, make folders based on these categories and drop the relevant files inside. Within the individual folders, you can create sub-folders to niche down further.
Of course, you can drag the newly created folders back to your desktop, or you can keep everything in one folder for a minimalist feel. Changing the way you view your files inside a folder can also help.
For example, some people find it easier to view files side by side, while others prefer lists filtered by date. Alternatively, you can view the contents of your sub-folders, along with the main folder, simultaneously to better understand the flow of files.
Choosing a naming convention that details the topic/project, file type, and name will also allow you to quickly find documents with your computer’s search system.
Wallpaper that works for you
Did you know you can download wallpaper with graphics that divide your desktop into separate areas, such as folders, apps, music, to-do, current projects, and much more? This approach might work well for you if you struggle to process visual information. There are plenty of wallpapers online, or you could make one yourself on Canva.
Sort your screenshots
You probably know how cluttered your desktop can become if you regularly take screenshots. While you can organise them all into a folder, a simple browser extension, such as Google Chrome’s Awesome Screenshot, could store them for you – or let you choose where to save them.
Move to the Cloud
Cloud-based storage systems, such as iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, can take the pressure off your desktop while providing you with secure remote access to your important files, apps, and pictures from any computer or device.
Some services allow you to edit, add and remove files from a folder on your computer for ultimate convenience. And if you run out of space, it only costs a few pounds a month to access a considerable amount of storage.
Organise your apps
Businesses rely on various apps and tools to function, but not all are necessary. Add those to the apps you use in your personal life, and your computer will soon become bogged down.
To tackle this, use a productivity app to track your usage over a few weeks to see what you actually need to keep and which are superfluous. Then delete the icons of the ones you hardly use from your desktop and your dock/taskbar.
Change up your icons
We’re all used to folders looking a certain way, but this uniformity can prevent us from quickly finding our target. Luckily, you can colour-code them, change the icon image with your computer’s in-built options, or download a pack of icons online.
Automate & Schedule
Both Windows and Mac allow users to automate the desktop organisation process by moving certain files to specific folders, changing icons, and deleting old documents. As this step is a little more technical, it might be helpful to search for an online tutorial for detailed instructions, depending on your operating system.
Alternatively, why not schedule a few minutes weekly or monthly for a quick clean-up? Simply set a recurring notification on a digital calendar or write it in your diary so you don’t forget.
While sorting your virtual workspace can feel like a chore, it shouldn’t take too long. Like a clean room, a tidy desktop will also improve your focus and reduce your mental load as you tackle important tasks or just have fun online. Why not start right now?
