We dust the shelves, sort out the wardrobe, and air out the house — but how often do we apply that same fresh-start energy to our computers and devices? September is the perfect time for a digital spring clean, and it does not have to be complicated or time-consuming.
Here is a simple, friendly guide to tidying up your digital life — from your desktop to your inbox to your passwords — so everything feels a little more organised heading into the second half of the year.
Start with Your Desktop and Downloads Folder
If your computer desktop is covered in files, shortcuts, and folders you no longer recognise, start there. Move what you need into clearly named folders, delete what you do not, and put the rest somewhere sensible. Do the same with your Downloads folder, which tends to accumulate years of files that were opened once and forgotten. Clearing these out alone can sometimes make a noticeable difference to how your computer feels to use.
Do you really need all those newsletters and catalogues coming to your email inbox? If not, take some time to Unsubscribe from those you don’t want, or hardly ever open.
Unsubscribe from Junk Email
Most of us receive dozens — sometimes hundreds — of promotional emails every week from businesses we barely remember signing up with. Spend half an hour scrolling through your inbox and unsubscribing from anything you do not actually read. Most emails have an unsubscribe link at the very bottom. It takes a moment per email but saves you time every single day going forward.
Update Your Passwords
Using the same password for multiple accounts — or a password you have had for years — is one of the most common ways people get hacked. This does not need to be complicated: start by updating the passwords for the accounts that matter most, such as your email, online banking, and any shopping sites where your payment details are saved. Use a different password for each one and make them at least twelve characters long.
If remembering lots of different passwords sounds overwhelming, a password manager app can do it for you — it stores all your passwords securely so you only need to remember one.
Check Your Security Software
While you are at it, check that your computer has current security software installed and that it is up to date. If you are not sure, or if your ESET subscription has lapsed, OJ Computers can help. Home protection through ESET starts from $57.95 per year per device — and we handle the setup and renewal locally, so there is no need to do anything complicated online.
Back Up Your Photos and Important Files
A spring clean is also a good reminder to back up the things that matter. Family photos, documents, and financial records are the kinds of things people only miss when they are gone. A simple external hard drive or a cloud storage service like OneDrive (included with Microsoft 365) can give you real peace of mind.
We accumulate a lot of photos on our devices. Take some time to delete those you don’t need and, while you’re there, backup those you want to keep.
We Are Here to Help
If any of this feels a bit daunting, don’t worry – it’s exactly what OJ Computers is here for. We are a local business that has been helping families and individuals across the Fleurieu Peninsula — from Victor Harbor and Port Elliot to Goolwa, Middleton, Normanville, Strathalbyn and all towns in between — for more than 30 years. Pop in any weekday morning, give us a call, or visit our website for more information.