Organizing files into folders on a computer is an important part of managing digital documents. Just as with a physical filing system, this type of organization helps to keep track of information and makes it easier for users to find what they need. Organizing files into folders also allows files of the same type to be grouped together, making them easy to locate and manage.
Creating folders is a straightforward process and can be done on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
CREATING FOLDERS ON WINDOWS
1. Open File Explorer (or “My Computer” in older versions of Windows).
2. Right-click on the folder where you wish to create the new folder. To create a folder within a folder, left-click the folder to open its contents.
3. Select “New” from the context menu and then select “Folder” from the sub-menu.
4. Type in a name for the folder and press Enter.
The folder you created will now appear in the list of folders in the current directory.
CREATING FOLDERS ON MAC
1. Open Finder.
2. Navigate to the folder you wish to create the new folder in.
3. Select “File” from the top menu and then select “New Folder” from the sub-menu.
4. Type in a name for the folder and press Enter.
The folder you created will now appear in the list of folders in the current directory.
ORGANIZING FILES INTO FOLDERS
Once you have created the folders, you can start organizing your files into them. This is best done by grouping related documents together, such as all Word documents in one folder, PDFs in another folder, and images in a third folder. You can also organize your folders into more general topics, like images of family trips in one folder, and business documents in another.
1. Depending on how you want to organize your files, create a new folder or open an existing one.
2. Locate the files you wish to store in the folder.
3. Select the files and drag them into the folder. Alternatively, you can also right-click the file and select “Cut” from the context menu, then navigate to the folder where you wish to store the file and right-click inside the folder to select “Paste” from the context menu.
The files you moved will now appear in the folder. Repeat this process for additional files.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR ORGANIZING FILES
• Add a short description to each folder so you can easily locate the type of file you need.
• Delete unnecessary files to reduce clutter.
• Use file and folder naming conventions to help keep track of your files and make them easier to search and locate.
• Use relevant keywords in file and folder names to make them easier to search.
• Use a cloud storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive to store and access your files anywhere.