What's your secret to keeping an organized computer filing system?

Its called a Directory Tree

Best thing to do is Categorize them.

Like having a folder called USERS... and inside of it will be a folder for everyone who uses that system.
And within that would be that Users own Programs and own Documents.

Or create a Folder called Applications... and Microsoft can be a Sub Directory and inside that would be MS software.

Some of the previous answers contradict being organized. The people who answered make their systems waaaaay too complicated. Three layers, four layers, keeping records for 15 years, etc, etc. I keep only two years on my computer. Anything older than two years are on memory sticks. Everything is filed into folders listed in alphabetical order. Within those folders are folders listed by month. Photos older than 12 months are on memory sticks. More than one stick, by the way. I have tags attached to the memory sticks labeling them as documents or photos. Then the year. I do not intermix documents and photos. Some of my backups are on CD's and some are on memory sticks. If a CD goes bad, I have a memory stick. If a memory stick goes bad, I have a CD. I can find just about anything on my computer within a couple of minutes. Things are either documents or photos, and installer programs are stored in a separate folder, so if I have to reinstall something, the installer is tucked away in case it's needed. It is not necessary to make things so terribly complicated.

Some of the previous answers contradict being organized. The people who answered make their systems waaaaay too complicated. Three layers, four layers, keeping records for 15 years, etc, etc. I keep only two years on my computer. Anything older than two years are on memory sticks. Everything is filed into folders listed in alphabetical order. Within those folders are folders listed by month. Photos older than 12 months are on memory sticks. More than one stick, by the way. I have tags attached to the memory sticks labeling them as documents or photos. Then the year. I do not intermix documents and photos. Some of my backups are on CD's and some are on memory sticks. If a CD goes bad, I have a memory stick. If a memory stick goes bad, I have a CD. I can find just about anything on my computer within a couple of minutes. Things are either documents or photos, and installer programs are stored in a separate folder, so if I have to reinstall something, the installer is tucked away in case it's needed. It is not necessary to make things so terribly complicated.

Dear Yahoo Answers Team:

The way I do it is to realize that a good electronic filing system is no different in principle from a good paper filing system. Understand the heirarchy. Documents (or spreadsheets or inventories) go in files; files go in drawers; drawers go in cabinets.

Organize the files by immediacy of need. Keep current files easily accessible for immediate use. Put older but still necessary files in separate archives. Keep really old files (like fifteen year-old business records) on CD. Incidentally, make sure your oldest records remain accessible. If they are stored on a dinosaur medium or format, they may be difficult or even impossible to access when you need them. Have the really old files professionally transferred to updated mediums/formats as needed. Review this point yearly.

Then, follow the acronym of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). One should not have to dig down more than three layers to get the information being sought.

Finally, remember the Three Commandments of Computing: 1. Backup. 2. Backup. 3. Backup. Have multiple backups, and store them in different locations. Put the CDs in a safe deposit box if necessary. Consider using an online backup service if your records are really, really important.

As to how exactly to organize? Everyone’s needs are different, so everyone’s filing system is different. Make your heirarchy creative, but also easy to remember.

And, of course, clean out unneeded or junk files as best you can. Neatness counts.

Flash Kellam

I don't have my own computer so I don't organize it, but if I did I probably wouldn't make many folders, but if I did I would probably do as you said, folders in folders in folders! I would have one for school/work and for each subject for school and the month we're in, and since I want to be a teacher I'd also have one for each student. It would include behavior, and another folder for each student for progress and what they've learned. I couldn't mix students or subjects. I just don't!

well one thing is, i try to backup as much as possible by having a spare hard drive to transfer everything to, copy files/folders... i mark it with copy so i know this is just a copy not the original... i try to make it in batches and reorganize it all, so one batch is finalized, meaning i don't have to delete it and put the originals back on, i know it's good already so no need to add to it, rewrite, change it, modify, or whatever, for those files on my backup drive... it's the same content on the backup copy folder, as the ones on the original...

It depends on what you mean by "organized"...

Do you mean making files easy for me to find as a user, or minimizing computer memory used?

For ease of my personal referencing, I may access a single file through multiple folder accesses.
After all... a single file CAN refer to more than one subject matter.

Make sure your not online organizing it. Make sure it's on an external drive or DVDs if have the patients. Make sure whatever medium isn't remotely accessed by NSA(DVDs recommended) . Otherwise they organize or delete it for you. There is also something called organization through disorganization. When you do piece it together, you need to take into consideration what audience your trying to accommodate.

In section download files,when box is appear to save the file ,you need to make an alphabetical order to name the file .This will allow you when you going to search for a file as soon as first word in search box been type a drop list name include file location will open in new window .This will fastener your search for a particular files .Also type of the file during the save option can help you to organize all the files in routine of the file type .mostly files are saved in picture ,downloads and documents ,you can also optionally create a new folder for particular files from same group or serials . For example if you doing a research that need documentaries include images or charts ,then you can create a folder with same name or topic and during save download at left window in drop down folder section click on the folder name and after folder window is open name and date the file and the click save .

I use many helps. Besides all types of folders, named for subjects I have stored in them, I also use a large "CONTACTS LIST" with everyone listed by name. Since for me I have a tendency to remember ppl by their "first" name that is the way they are listed. So I have a few "Marys" and others with the same first name, but then the last name identifies the person I am seeking, When sending an email I enter the first few letters into the send space and the PC does the rest. If more than one pops up then I choose the one I want. My photos are also listed separately. I know most of my passwords by heart. I am on several sites, with separate friends, etc. I do not seem to have a problem keeping them separate in my mind. I do have a simple cheat cheat with info I cannot afford to loose, but I have ways and means of coding it so no one else can understand it. Hope that helps. I think the key is "diversity," rather then doing it all one way.