Technology Tips - End of the Year Computer Housekeeping
Here is a shortlist of end-of-year housekeeping items you can do with your computer to prepare for 20201. Please note, I am a PC user and Microsoft Office Specialist, so certain housekeeping items are written for PC users but there are some that apply to everyone.
Backups: Ensure files are backed up. Even if you think your backup program is running fine, double-check it just to be sure. If you don’t have a backup program in place, consider using Backblaze.
Storing your files in the cloud, such as Dropbox, Google, Box, etc. is not considered a “backup”—it’s considered file storage where you can share files with others. You need to ensure you have a backup of your files.
Computer Desktop: Is your desktop cluttered with shortcuts to files or programs you can access another way? If so, spend some time to remove those you no longer need and file documents in your file storage area, giving your computer desktop a clean slate.
Downloaded Files: Find your Downloads folder on your computer and clean out all files you’ve downloaded and no longer need. Move items you want to save to your file storage area.
Website: Ensure your website is backed up. Update your copyright notice on your website for 2021. If you don’t have a copyright notice, add one.
Outlook Users
Clean up old e-mails: In Outlook, go to File| Tools | Mailbox Cleanup
In the Mailbox Cleanup dialog box, you can:
- Find items older than a certain number of days—so you can clean them out or take action on them
- Find items larger than a certain number of kilobytes—again so you can clean them out or take action. Note: I would set the default of 250 kilobytes much higher, say 2000 kilobytes
- Empty your Deleted Items folder
- Delete alternate versions of items in your mailbox
PC Users
Windows Cleanup: Right-Click on the C Drive | Select Properties | Click on the Disk Cleanup Button | Review the Files to Delete list and determine what you can delete.
Now, if only there were an app or program that could “uninstall” 2020.
Wishing you and your computer a fresh start in 2021.
