Organize Your Computer Desktop in 5 Minutes or Less

Is your computer desktop a complete mess? Here is a simple way to create zen and organize it in 5 minutes to get your productivity back.

Before we get started … be sure to download the companion checklist:

How Organizing Your Computer Desktop Will Help Your Productivity

When you open your laptop are you staring at a cluttered screen with pictures of your kids and random files and folders that are scattered willy nilly. (Yes, I said willy nilly.)

Believe it or not, a messy computer desktop is affecting your productivity AND it is costing you time and energy.

Spending more than a few seconds looking for that one file that you know is somewhere right in front of you – is time wasted.

The chaos that you see above is what I call eye pollution. The background and the randomness is so busy that it is mentally exhausting, even if you don't realize it.

Usually we store files and programs on the computer desktop because it is easy – you think that you can easily find things that you use often. Until you can't.

Things quickly get out of hand.

Luckily, there is a better way. You can organize your computer desktop to work FOR you, not against you.

This is how.

Your Computer Desktop is Your Primary Workspace

Think of your real desktop.

Your actual, physical desk – the one that your computer sits on. What happens to your mindset when it gets messy?

Imagine that there are piles of papers everywhere and you can't find anything. (And if your home office desk is really a mess, then this article is one you should read too.)

Your stress level goes up, right?

You spend time looking for things and you panic when you can't find something. You want your work surface to be clean and neat so you can focus on the task at hand.

The same holds true for a computer desktop. Whether you are just reading on the internet, or creating documents – you want the background to be an uncluttered space that doesn't distract you from what you are doing.

You also want files that you need immediately right at your fingertips. I use a Mac but it really doesn't matter whether you use Windows or a Mac – the concept is the same.

Step 1: Change Your Computer Background

I know that it is tempting to use that cute picture of the kids or your latest vacation shots as your computer desktop background. But all of those colors and the busy-ness are a recipe for distraction. In the image above you can see that the zebra stripes, the grass, and the movement in the photo make it very hard to visually find the actual files that are on the desktop.

It may sound boring but the best option is to choose a solid color for your desktop.

I use a soft, light blue, like you see below – but any solid color will do. If you can't bear to use a solid color and you must use a photo – pick a calming image.

Maybe a picture of the ocean or beach from your last vacation. Your photos still have a place to be showcased on your computer. Use them for your screensaver. People will still be able to view them when you are not using your computer.

Related: 

• How to See The Number of Files in a Folder on A Mac
• How to Name Your Digital Files So You Can Find What You Need
• Put an End to Screen Flickering in Chrome on a MacBook Pro

Step 2: Organizing Files and Folders

Now that your computer desktop background is squared away and you can actually see the files and folders that are strewn about – it is time to put these in order. You need to create a file structure that you can rely on to file away your documents.

Create a Virtual File Cabinet

You could use your Documents folder and create subfolders within. I happen to use a folder that I named “File Cabinet” and file everything in that. I set up subfolders to mirror the folders that I would keep in a real world file cabinet.

Use the Quick Method

Depending on the number of files you have on your computer desktop – you could be facing a large filing project.

If you don't have the time to deal with it right now – this quick method will help you do something immediately. Instead of procrastinating, create a single folder called “Unfiled Stuff” and keep it on your desktop.

Now move everything that you don't know what to do with into this folder. Your desktop will be uncluttered, and you know that you will have to deal with the contents of this folder at some time in the future.

Now look at the screenshot below:

What a difference, right?

My background is soothing and the only files visible are the ones that I am using right at this moment for writing a post (looking for a poached egg recipe, anyone? 😉 ) Once I am finished with those photos, I will either move them into my photos app – or I will upload them to Smugmug and get them out of my workspace.

What Does Your Computer Desktop Look Like?

Is a cluttered desktop getting in the way of your productivity? Tell us what works for you in the comments below.

More Articles

Find more information on taking charge of your digital clutter here.

What People Are Saying

“I downloaded your how to clean your desktop from your website and I did it… thank you! now i’m super clear and have been meaning to do that for awhile. Love my new “file cabinet “

-Stefanie Stavola, Health Coach

A Few Reminders

Don't forget to download the checklist.

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