I use my desktop a lot for storing files I quickly download, extracting wordpress plugins, image captures for my blog, and a host of other things. In about 3 days, my desktop gets cluttered up with things I don’t need, so I just delete everything. Every once and a while though, I delete something I do need and spend hours in the trash searching for it. If this has happened to you, here’s a method which makes your trash can a much more friendly place.

Basically, when I have a load of files to delete off my desktop I don’t highlight them all and drag them to the trash. Instead I create a folder, name it: “Deleted from Desktop on july 26″, I move all my files in there, and delete the folder. This means that I can delete everything and then when I remember I need something, just go back to the relevant folder and resotre it.

You can also use this method to group deleted files by other criteria, lile client the file was for, or the job you  used the file for. Since I develop loads of Wordpress themes and all have index.php files, style.css files and so on, I can just drag all the files for a theme I don’t need anymore into a folder with the name of the theme, and drop that into the trash instead of all the separate files.

When I use Outlook I really hate the Trash. I have to delete a message, then it goes to the trash, and then I have to delete it from there as well and if I deleted an unread message, an ugly bracketed number will show its face there until I do so! How awful!

There is a keyboard shortcut you can use to skip the Trash altogether. All you need to do is press “Shift + Del” together, and the Trash is out of the way. You do have to tell Outlook you are absolutely positive you want this, but it’s still quicker.

That being said, I think it’s easier to have the right filters set up. I have to delete a message about once every month and I get about 300 e-mails a month.

Tip thanks to My GTD Stuff