Want a SUPER easy way to keep your email
clear of clutter?
There are all sorts of sophisticated
programs to streamline things, but
that's NOT what I'm talking about today.
If you're like me - not any kind of a
computer whiz, just someone who wants to
keep your email program up and running -
you might want to try this tip today.
Again, this tip is for Outlook 2007 -
see my note above at the top of this
section - but the underlying principle
remains the same across the board.
First thing is this. When you receive -
or send - email that contains
information you can't afford to lose,
immediately store it in a folder that
makes sense to you (project name,
person's name, whatever).
With your folders open alongside of your
emails (if they're not, look to the left
of the word Inbox and you'll see a small
set of double arrows; click on it to
view your list of folders), just drag
and drop your important email into the
proper folder. Or, right-click on the
email and use the Move To Folder option.
If you do this each time you read or
respond to an email of importance,
you'll have security knowing it's safely
stored. If it's TRULY crucial
information, of course, print out a copy
and file it away in case of a computer
malfunction.
To clear away redundant email and those
that are simply clutter, do this. We'll
use the Sent Items file folder for this
example, but of course you should do
this for your Inbox and Deleted Items as
well.
-
Click on the Sent Items folder to
the left of your individual emails.
It should open up to show the
individual emails on the right. With
one of them highlighted, click Ctl-A
to select all of them en masse.
-
Now, anywhere on the highlighted
group, R-click and choose Delete.
Poof, they're gone, freeing up more
space on your computer.
- Now if you know that you've also
saved your important Inbox email, you
can go ahead and do the same here.
I would caution you in one area, however
(trust me, this was learned from
experience). I would hold off from
deleting your Deleted Items folder for
the time being.
Personally, I now only empty that
Deleted Items folder once a month or so
because I once deleted something that I
didn't recognize and it was actually an
entire program! Had I waited before
emptying my Deleted Items file folder, I
could have gone back to search for it,
and ultimately find it.
If you just don't feel comfortable doing
this yet because you haven't been filing
your email to folders, start with
today's emails. Click on the date header
at the top of your email to sort by
date.
Or, let's say you know you don't need to
save anything from your Uncle Leroy,
then click on the From header to sort by
sender. Click on one of his, Ctl-A, and
delete as explained earlier to get rid
of just his emails.
And if you're REALLY timid, just R-click
each individual email you don't want to
save after reading, and choose Delete.
Then eventually, delete your Deleted
Items folder.
This is definitely the NON-computer
geek's way of keeping your computer
running a little faster, and keeping it
just a bit more clear of the clutter.
We all know how quickly that email piles
up so try it today. Your computer will
love you for it.
