Don’t let the digital clutter keep building up!
Spring is not only a time for cleaning out closets, but also for tidying up our digital lives.
Tech expert Sarah Kimmel shared her advice for digital spring cleaning that will ensure your devices run smoothly and efficiently.
Malware Scan: The First Line of Defense
Start your digital detox by scanning your devices for malware.
“As you’re browsing the internet, you will get different kinds of malware on your computer, especially if you have kids that just like to click around,” Sarah said. “It’s not necessarily that you’re going to bad sites.”
Malware Bytes is a recommended free program that can help you detect and remove unwanted software. Regular scans are crucial, especially if you have children who might inadvertently download harmful programs.
“There’s going to be a lot of things that can be cleaned up on your computer. Scanning it for any malware or viruses is really important to do at least once a year,” Sarah emphasized.
App Inventory: Declutter Your Device
Next, look at the apps on your phone and computer. Uninstalling unnecessary apps can free up significant space and improve device performance. Remember, apps accumulated from past events like conferences or flights can quickly become digital clutter.
“Do the same on your computer. Go through any programs that have been installed that you don’t want and uninstall them to free up some more space,” Sarah suggested.
File and Photo Management: Organize and Optimize
Sorting files and photos can be a daunting task, but it’s necessary for a digital detox.
“It’s a manual process for the most part, but there are a couple ways you can speed it up a little bit,” Sarah said.
A quick way to manage this is by sorting items by size or date, which helps identify what can be deleted or moved to a designated folder for later review.
“Move anything you want to keep permanently to permanent storage. Don’t just put it on an external hard drive because those fail all the time,” Sarah warned.
Instead, opt for cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive, or consider a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device for added redundancy and security.
“A NAS has multiple hard drives, so if one fails, you’re not going to lose everything,” Sarah explained.
Physical Cleaning: The Finishing Touch
Don’t forget the physical aspect of device maintenance. Use canned air to clean out crevices and dust from fans, which can affect your device’s performance. For screens, a damp microfiber cloth or electronic wipes designed for safe use on electronics will do the trick.
By following these steps, you’ll not only have a cleaner, more organized digital environment, but also improve the longevity and functionality of your devices.
Find more of Sarah’s tech advice on Instagram, @familytech, or at familytech.biz.
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