Can Your Computer Files Be Too Organized?

Of course all links and files are renamed or named to look perfect, cannot messy named files.

My thought was about being so organized with a files location, like a sub folder in a sub folder in a sub folder and different off shoots of that theme. So everything is well organized, almost so much that you have to think at times where you placed a file or two because it could fit in more than one location.

Normally I do not believe anything can be over organized, I do believe it can happen a little when it comes to computer files.

files computer organized

asked Jun 12 '11 at 16:23

Xiro
4.4k●37●54●103

7 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

I keep my computer files VERY organised. I can't stand having my files scattered all over my computer. When I go looking for a file I want to know exactly where it is - not having to search my computer for it and then find out its in a completely different folder.

I keep everything in folders and sometimes even sub-folders, these then backed up in several places.

answered Jun 12 '11 at 16:30

DazOwen
5.9k●77●104●159

Yes, I also have folders and sub folders, I just try to avoid sub folders within sub folders within sub folders. I like everything named perfectly and easy to find. Computer says I have 954 Folders, I thought that was a lot and found out that is due to some program folders, still over 250. Backups are a must.

(Jun 12 '11 at 16:35) Xiro

There's only so many sub-folders I can have before it gets a bit annoying.

(Jun 12 '11 at 16:42) DazOwen

^^ I agree ^^

(Jun 12 '11 at 16:50) Zbob750

Very true, I try to keep it simple as possible, when there is a lot of files of one subject than extra sub folders are needed. I try to use a different system when there are only a few of each subject.

(Jun 12 '11 at 16:54) Xiro

after a few hard drive failures, my files have been scattered over 4 hard drives, and are in many different folders, i have duplicates all over the place.

but not going mad, I'm going to organize them into a basic structure. sub folders although a good idea, make things too complicated.

they can also make things easier to find should someone gain access to your computer, it could make it easier to find personal documents that you have put nicely into 1 folder.

answered Jun 12 '11 at 17:39

roguekiller23231
4.2k●72●104●142

The most complicated sub-folders I have would be the art files, Art > Artist > Each Project of theirs has a folder, others would have a system closer to Art > Artist > All their files perfectly named in that one folder. Another one is links, I found it easier to have one larger Bookmark/Link file and place names like - Problem - Paint, Forum - Randomname etc... easy to find without having to created an insane amount of sub-folders based on subject.

All personal data is encrypted, I never worry about anyone getting access to me system.

(Jun 12 '11 at 18:28) Xiro

depending on operating system, if the file location and name are too long, the folder and files will be inaccessible, this is the only major issue with organizing folders and sub folders. keep the folder names short and you shouldn't run into any issues.

(Jun 12 '11 at 20:17) roguekiller23231

I keep my folder and file names over all simple, nothing too long. I have noticed once everything is perfectly in order there are a hundred different ways to organize files and folders.

(Jun 13 '11 at 00:19) Xiro

I know how you feel. Both my internal and external have crashed in the past.

(Jun 13 '11 at 12:08) Coljaboy

KISS. Have changed the w7 default folders to custom locations off of the install drive that are synced with windows live mesh to auto backup. When I log into my laptop these same files are replicated on the laptop while still being in the cloud. Every time something is changed it's seamlessly backed up.

Almost everything I need can be got to in two or 3 clicks.

If it's not easy to get to then it's not important.

answered Jun 12 '11 at 19:53

SignOff
(suspended)

Like you said "So everything is well organized, almost so much that you have to think at times where you placed a file or two because it could fit in more than one location.". The main factor there is that I think that if you have to think where you put it then it is way too organized because you can't remember where you put so I would automatically think there is pretty much no point.

answered Jun 13 '11 at 00:27

Caelan
1.7k●318●337●365

That was an issue with archived bookmarks, found it easier to have one main file and say the type of link (Computer, Bank, Game etc..) than the name of the file. Organized yet simple.

(Jun 13 '11 at 01:52) Xiro

I think there is a point where you will spend more time organizing your files, than it will take you to find them. I have a pretty good idea where all my files are located, and if I don't know where once is, the search feature sure comes in handy. I could spend hours re-naming them all, but its not worth the few seconds extra that I spend on searches.

answered Jun 13 '11 at 01:12

KylePolansky
2.0k●4●8●39

One guy I new had an enormous amount of files, due to the face that he was a teacher. I think having a lot of sub-folders is ok, as long you have enough files to go into the folders. Having one file per folder is not okay. Just make a miscellaneous folder to put all the extra junk.

answered Jun 13 '11 at 12:07

Coljaboy
116●11●12●18

0	I think it can as if you have to go through 10+ folders/sub-folders just to find the file you want it may take you more time clicking through all the folders then looking in a unorganized folders system to get the file you want. answered Jun 13 '11 at 12:55 Feras 5.5k●90●122●179

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