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The 13-Step Digital Declutter
Article

The 13-Step Digital Declutter

The Guardian, 2017

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Even some of the tidiest people are digital hoarders. If your computer or smartphone have become unbearably slow and you’re finding it increasingly difficult to locate the files you need, it may be time for some housekeeping. Tech journalist Darien Graham-Smith has compiled a 13-step list that will help you clean out files, detect unnecessary applications and optimize your computer’s efficiency. getAbstract recommends that everyone take time to go through his list step by step.

Summary

To free up space on your devices, protect your privacy, speed up your browsing and focus your attention, follow these 13 steps:   

  1. Use free tools to clear out bloat” – Both Windows and Mac OS Sierra have cleanup tools that you can run to help toss out digital trash and nonessential files.
  2. Track down space-wasting documents” – Deleting a few large files will instantly give you back a lot of storage space. Find the largest ones with WinDirtStat for Windows and Disk Inventory X for Mac.
  3. Audit permissions on your ...

About the Author

Darien Graham-Smith, PhD, is a technology journalist and is deputy editor of PC Pro magazine.


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