Here Are Five Ways to Streamline and Declutter Your Digital Space

It’s 2023! What better way to kickstart the new year than by tidying up your digital life? Just like your humble abode, your computer needs some cleaning up for you to feel more productive and less distracted. Letting go of files such as photos, unused apps, and other documents may seem difficult and taxing, but doing so will bolster your machine’s speed and performance. What’s more, having a decluttered and well-arranged digital space can save time and resources and improve one’s mindset towards work and life. Ready to clear out your digital clutter? Follow the steps below:

Clean Up Your Desktop

Your desktop is the first thing you see when you switch on your computer, so it’s best to delete files you no longer need and arrange the remaining ones accordingly. Start off by removing duplicates and unnecessary documents to avoid confusion. Delete unused and outdated apps and sort the important files into different folders. Decluttering your desktop will make it easier to navigate, run smoothly, and get you more storage.

Transfer Photos to a Cloud Storage Service

Running out of space and don’t want to delete your photos? Consider moving them to a cloud storage service.

In the event of a laptop failure or hard drive malfunction, a cloud storage service serves as a backup solution for when you need to access your documents. Cloud storage services like Google Drive, iCloud, and One Drive allow users to view files from any gadget at any place with an internet connection.

Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications

Notifications continue to fill up your device throughout the day. And while they're helpful in keeping you updated on the latest news and promotions, they can also be distracting. To help you focus better on work, switch off non-essential notifications on your device.

Start off with applications that don’t really provide value such as games and photo editing apps. Remember: You don’t need to receive updates from all the applications installed on your laptop or smartphone.

Sort Your Emails

You probably don’t want to delete emails that are important to you. One great way to tidy up your digital space is by sorting your emails into folders. You can do that by separating them by topic, date, level of importance, and sender’s name.

As for old messages, it’s best to delete them to free up space and improve the speed of your email account. Plus, it’s also the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Run a Virus Scan

One of the best ways to keep a healthy digital life is by running a virus scan on your computer. Virus scans help locate and remove any unwanted issues on your device such as spyware, trojan, adware, and ransomware.

If you don’t already run virus scans, you should schedule at least once per month to rule out whether a virus or malware is causing your device to slow down. It’s also vital to regularly update your machine to improve its features and ward off security threats.