The Best Way to Manage Files and Folders (ABC Method)

Organizing all of your files and documents can be a major pain. You may have started out with a simple folder structure. But over time, the addition of many sub-folders can make it difficult to find what you’re looking for. In this video, Scott Friesen shows you an incredibly easy but powerful way to manage all of your files. Say goodbye to folder frustration and say hello to the ABC method.

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Let's Connect!

Scott Friesen is a productivity specialist and founder of Simpletivity training and consulting. He is also a prolific public speaker, workshop leader, and time management coach.

#files #folders #organize

[minutesofcreativity]

I always love finding out new ways to organize digital files. Usually people underestimate the importance of having an easy to understand (and organized) system so that their files don't get lost in the black hole that is our computers. Though I never really considered anything like this method. I might need to sit down one Sunday afternoon and give this a try.

[raccoonaccount]

Nice system that can be improved by removing the first level of folders (A-Z) and keeping all the main folders in the root since they will be listed alphabetically anyway.

[SuperBeanson]

This is a Terrible way to file. What happens when you forget which title you have named a particular file. It might work with this guy's files because he has so few files (that's also the reason he can get where he wants in 2 clicks). For anyone with a normal amount of files this method will quickly become unworkable.

[InnerProp]

Unfortunately I forget things like, "did I call that 'links' or did I call that 'websites'."

[zachgentner]

I use the Windows search feature at the top right of the explorer window. It allows me to group similar files into folders but also provides me with the ability to look up any specific file or subfolder from my root directory. This makes more sense logically than if I were to file them with the ABC method, especially if I should forget the name of what I'm looking for.

[doesexistthisname]

I know a simpler method that my wife and mother-in-law use: save everything, absolutely everything, on the Desktop! 😀

[shespeaks]

This approach has a lot of logic and makes sense as long as your files are a collection of data that, once in this format, would meet the objective which is to only have to click two times for your file. But if I had a project with hundreds of files and saved each filed in a ROOT folder according to the file name, that would break the 2 click structure because people work on dozens of files simultaneously during a project so the ABC method means I'd have click every ROOT letter for every file of the project. Right?

[danalvatv]

I just recently found your videos and have been binge watching for a couple of days. Your channel is seriously an invaluable fount of knowledge.

[thetechmandan]

Mind blower. Never would have thought of such a simple/effective process.

[snibushds]

What a great system. It will take a while to organize my files at this point. But I can set up the structure now and start using it and as I have time or use the other files, I can eventually get everything located in the new order. Thank you

[matheusmascarenhas]

I enjoyed knowing a different approach to managing information.


However, I'm +1 to emphasize the issue within remembering the tag system used (how did I call that folder?). For a personal computer, it might be sufficient, as (1) you don't have so many files, and (2) you're often in contact with the naming system previously adopted, strengthening the long-term memory.


For managing team information, it triggers a huge issue for different people adopting different naming systems, sometimes for the same thing.


If the main issue is the number of subfolders, the ABC method could be translated in a rule of thumb of having just 3 levels of folders. In fact, I thought the ABC was an allusion to that possibility.

[ish]

Sounds great, I'm not very savvy at this, but do I start with opening the File Folder and just create A-Z in the list under this PC?

[preciousgladyskamanda]

Wow, this is great, i was really confused not knowing how to start organizing my boss's documents but i have finally found the answer to my confusion, thank you very much.

[lortunder]

This is great! i love the simplicity. I have had migrations of old computers and operating systems combine into a mess of data. Time has finally come for putting reigns on this. is it safe to assume that reorganizing like this won't confuse any of my apps when they are looking for component files for something like a Cad model assembly?

[Y-Soightnie]

Backups might be a problem if you are working on various projects and need only back those up to DropBox or whatever. I am a writer and work on a number of assignments/projects with varying names or titles with aspects such as bookcovers, working art, manuscripts, articles, and their attendant research data. Under this method they would end up scattered all over the place.

[ksenniavisitor]

I did this with my passwords, organized them all alphabetically in one word doc. It never occurred to me to organize my files this way. Genius!

[gregorybasso]

Ironically, I just started this type of system but haven’t converted completely. My theory or thought is if someone had to use my system and only knew the name of what they were looking for would they be able to . So far I think I’m on the right path with the help of your videos. Additionally, I’m working on becoming completely paperless. So all of my archived, must paperwork I’m scanning and keeping in my computer backup with Google Drive . Perhaps, you can give me some creative ideas to keep all the necessary documents for property transfers, which is immense and home improvement documents with all their companion booklets I need for later reference?

[diyfixguy]

I'm searching for an image management/ organizing app. Many times we take photos or vids that are given a digital name on the file. This leads to actually looking at the images latter. All that to say...It would be nice to have a way to see the images larger so you can organize them quickly. Seems that phones, and sometimes computers - don't offer large enough visual icons so I can drag it to a organized folder. I just need to be able to see the images first. Icons or thumb nails are to small.

[ronmullen]

Very good and it is worth considering in my filing system for general. I once worked at a manufacturing factory and in the drawing office they filed client numeric and alpha drawing references by the very last numeric digit, eg, 0, 1, 2, 3 etc. and then filed these drawings under this digital system. So the drawings were in 0-9 as a maximum. It sounds weird, but it worked. We could always find the drawings from this system. 95% of the time. Bit similiar to your Alpha system. Well done on simplicity and always rules

[Sliderk]

"How to kill a perfect tree structure system."