The Ultimate Digital Declutter Checklist

Physical clutter is easy to deal with. You can see it all around you and bump into them so recognition is immediate. Once you see clutter, they can be sorted, donated, or thrown away.

Digital clutter is harder to detect but the toll is undeniable. As we increase our reliance on technology, keeping our digital space clean, minimal and clutter-free becomes more important by the day.

READ: 18 Mindful Habits That Help Me Practice Minimalism

Would you like to take back control of the situation? Improve your productivity and reduce your stress by following this digital declutter checklist.

Computer

Clean your desk and leave only the essentials.
Organize the wires or upgrade to wireless options.
Wipes the dust off the hardware.
Empty the contents of the Recycle Bin weekly.
Uninstall rarely used programs.
Remove unnecessary shortcuts on the Desktop.
Check for software updates and install them right away.
Schedule virus scans and performance checks.

Internet

Clear the browser history to frustrate trackers, reduce bugs, and many more.
Clear the cache and cookies to save space and speed up the browser.
Delete bookmarks that are no longer needed.
Organize the pages on the Favorites folder.
Remove unused browser add-ons to save resources.
Keep tabs to a minimum and close them before the day ends.
Install a productivity extension like Google Keep or Todoist to keep track of your website visits and limit time-wasting.

Email

Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters.
Sort your emails with filters, folders, flags, and labels.
Delete old emails that have no use.
Archive vital emails for quick retrieval.
Remove emails with big attachments if not needed.
Keep the inbox clean to make future organization a breeze.

Social Media

Update your social media profiles with new info.
Change your privacy settings based on your current comfort level.
Block, mute, unfollow, or unfriend as you deem fit based on their content or your personal criteria.
Remove uninteresting blogs from your reading list.
Unlike pages and leave groups that don’t serve your interests.
Modify notification settings to minimize distractions.
Organize YouTube playlists and cut unnecessary subscriptions.

Website/Blog

Answer questions to build your community and encourage engagement.
Delete spam comments or install an automatic moderator.
Update all the plugins and CMS for added security, reduced bugs, and better features.
Set periodic backups for peace of mind.
Fix broken links and other errors to improve user experience.

Files

Delete duplicate files and empty folders.
Upload vital pictures and documents to the cloud periodically.
Move downloaded files to the correct folders so they don’t pile up.
Organize the folders using a logical system such as documents, pictures, and videos.
Use a clear naming system for files for easy searches down the road.
Back up to an external drive or to the cloud on a regular basis.

Cellphone

Scan the app list for unused items and delete right away.
Place frequently used apps at the home screen for easy access.
Gather lesser-used apps in folders by use, color, or other categories.
Close background apps and browser tabs to prevent system slowdown.
Use a file scanner to clear more space and avoid the need for costly upgrades.
Remove contacts that you no longer recognize.
Silence most types of notifications to eliminate distractions.
Trim down your podcast subscriptions so you can focus and listen to what’s left.

Images

Delete photos with bad quality since they are basically useless.
Leave only the best picture in a sea of duplicates to save space.
Cut out images that you no longer remember as they serve no purpose.
Discard pictures that don’t bring joy or utility.
Organize images by event, category, or date — whichever makes sense.
Synchronize pictures in the PC and phone using automatic software.
Move photos to a cloud service like Dropbox to save space.

Music Streaming Services

Modify playlists’ privacy to make sure only the right people see them.
Delete old playlists that no longer serve your current taste in music.
Delete or move around individual songs that don’t fit the playlists.
Unfollow artists or playlists that you rarely listen to.

Paid Subscriptions

Drop subscriptions that eat up your budget without providing value.
Make sure to cancel free trials before they expire and you get billed.
List down all your subscriptions and cut out redundancies.

This exhaustive digital declutter checklist may seem daunting but the individual tasks are actually easy to implement. You don’t need more than a few minutes for many of them. Tackle these one at a time according to your priorities. You will gradually feel lighter and better as you let go of everything that has been weighing you down.

Have a Clutter-Free Home!

digital declutter checklist printable — Printable included in Declutter Your Space Binder Kit

Decluttering is a great start to getting organized. But what about other areas in your life like your home? Taking the leap to declutter your home can be intimidating which is why so many people avoid it. To simplify the process, I created the Declutter Your Space Binder Kit! This 32 page printable pack will help organize the chaos in your life.

You can find it at The HBH Shop!

Are you decluttering your digital life? How often? Share your thoughts by commenting below!