Are you ready to start the new year with a clean slate? Now is the perfect time to digitally declutter and get your digital world in order. Here is a checklist to help you get started.

STEP ONE: CLEAN YOUR DESKTOP

Take some time to clean up your computer. Go through your files and folders, delete anything you no longer need, and organize the things you want to keep. Create new folders and subfolders to keep them organised. Whilst this may take seem tedious, it is so worth your time as finding files will become so much easier.

STEP TWO: DOWNLOADS

Go through your downloads folder and sort them into new folders to keep things organised.

STEP THREE: DELETE

Take a look at your applications and software. Uninstall any you don’t use and update the ones you do use. Delete any files you no longer need.

STEP FOUR: APPS

Start making your way through each app to do a quick clean-up. Uninstall the app if you no longer use it.

STEP FIVE: CLEAN UP YOUR WEB BROWSER

Take some time to go through your web browser and delete any old bookmarks, reading lists, and extensions. Create new folders on your web browser and organise your bookmarks so you can access all your commonly used sites, even quicker. Check out your web browser settings and reset/ clear anything you no longer need. Clear your web browser’s cache and cookies.

STEP SIX: PASSWORDS

Take a few moments to review all your passwords. Make sure you have strong passwords that are unique and can’t be easily guessed. Consider using a password manager to store all your passwords securely. This way, you’ll be able to access all your accounts quickly and securely. Reset any/ delete ones that are incorrect.

STEP SEVEN: EMAILS

Go through your emails, delete anything you no longer need, and archive emails that are important. It’s easier to type the email in your search bar and then tick all the emails you want to delete. You can also use the unsubscribe link to stop receiving any messages in the future. Delete and unsubscribe to junk emails or newsletters you no longer need. Create folders to keep your emails organised.

STEP EIGHT: SYSTEM PREFERENCES

Go through your system preferences and reset or delete anything you no longer need. This includes any old printers, speakers, or other devices that are no longer connected to your laptop.

STEP NINE: BACKUPS

Take some time to create backups for your important files. This is a good way to make sure you don’t accidentally delete something important.

STEP TEN: NEW BACKGROUND

Finally, update your background and make sure it reflects the new, organised you. Change the background image to something that will remind you to keep your laptop decluttered.

STEP ELEVEN: WIDGETS

Add widgets to your laptop to make it easier to access important information quickly. Widgets are small programs that provide you with convenient access to frequently used content such as weather forecasts, news, stock prices, and more. Widgets can be customized to match your needs and preferences.

STEP TWELVE: CLEAN YOUR DEVICE

Finally, take a few moments to clean up your device. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the outside of your laptop and make sure everything is clean. Also clean up the inside of your laptop, using a compressed air can to blow away any dust and debris. Then, give your laptop a restart and you’re done!

Now that you’ve decluttered your laptop, you can start the new year with a clean slate. Having a clean and organised laptop will make it easier to find files and documents, and you’ll be more productive.