Ask HN: How do you organize your files and folders on your computer?

7 points·lawlit··4 comments

Well, I'm having a bit trouble trying to figure out a new model and folder architecture for organizing my life around the computer (Between work, freelance, personal projects, etc.) and thought I might get some inspiration out here

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HD split into OS/Apps/Frameworks/Installations and My files.

myfiles/stuff/* where * is folder name a generalized name for its content's context. EG: 'university" contains everything i've done in school. "books" are all the books i have. "grad" is stuff relating to grad school. "songs" is...well, im sure you get the point. ps: 'songs' is also my iTunes default folder

myfiles/dev/* - * means project name. work/freelance/whatever - all go in here.

myfiles/myname/* - uber personal stuff

This is the final stage of evolution of how i structure my laptop. I actually quite like it now.

C Drive for OS and program installs. D Drive for Music, Pictures and all general life files except those on F drive for films, ISOs and other large media files.

The goal for the future will be that C drive could be formatted for OS reinstalls with minimal data loss, beyond the backup of user profile folders to another drive.

Beyond that, files are organised for ease of backup: 'Pictures' for images, 'Music', 'Written work' etc.

Ease of navigation is achieved through the copious use of shortcuts.

If it's a shared computer then I'd have a root folder for each family member and specifics go underneath those root folders. On my personal computer I have folders for each major activity like work, side-projects etc. and files are grouped under these folders.

I like having three top level directories: archive, current, and scratch. I'd work the model you've presented into 'current', and move occasional snapshots into archive (usually by year, sometimes quarterly). Seems to be working well for me.

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