A new year brings excitement and hope of new beginnings. You’ve probably already made New Year’s resolutions and perhaps already abandoned a few. Cleaning up your digital life is one resolution that you should make and keep.

January is Clean Up Your Computer Month. Follow this simple list for an easy digital update, and check at least one new year’s resolution off your list!

Clean out the clutter
We have all been there—in a time crunch, maybe late for a parent–teacher conference, and named a file something like letter.doc and saved it to the desktop. File management is a simple way to get your digital life under control, yet it is so easy to let our digital filing cabinet become a scattered mess. Start your new year with a clean slate by organizing your files and folders. Clearly name and categorize all folders and give all files descriptive names. Last but not least, delete files you no longer need.

Occasionally I will open an email and save it for when I have time to read the whole thing. Unfortunately, that occasion happens all too frequently for me, and before I know it, my inbox is a bottomless pit. Resolve to find the bottom of your email inbox this month. Organize the emails you would like to keep and delete the ones you don’t.

Secure your files 
By now you have heard it a thousand times: backup everything! While this rule is tried and true, if you’re like most people, you probably have at least a few important files that you haven’t backed up yet. Make sure you have saved all school- and work-related documents, photos, and other important files to an external hard drive or the cloud. While the chances are slim that your computer will crash or a power surge will take place, it is a chance you don’t want to take.

Updating passwords is a tedious process with a great return on investment. How many times during the last year did you have to click “forgot password”? Take the time to update all your passwords to something that’s consistently memorable for you.

Give yourself a digital makeover 
Remember when MySpace was the big thing? I am glad that phase came and went. I’m one of many who logged off and never returned. If you’re in the same situation take the time to delete any profiles you are no longer using.
While you’re giving your digital life an upgrade, update your profiles on the social networking sites you still use, including pictures. Updating your profile and outlining your reason for being there has become a necessity now that the lines have blurred between personal and professional social media presences.

Tune up your machine
Ever noticed that pop-up box in the lower right corner of your screen reminding you to update your antivirus software? If you’ve been hastily clicking close on that box and grumbling at it to go away every day, it is time to finally quit ignoring the sign and make sure your antivirus software are up to date.

I saved the best for last. Updating your operating system and browser is usually free and painless. Upgrading will also provide a significant boost in speed and efficiency for your machine.

We all can relate to the feeling of excitement when we get a new computer and a new beginning. Taking the time to clean up your computer will not only help your computer run like new, it will give your digital life a much needed refresh.