How to Simplify and Clean Up Your Cloud Storage Mess

Thanks to the convenience of cloud storage, it’s easy to accumulate a cluttered mess of files without proper organization. If you find yourself in this situation and want to simplify and clean up your cloud storage, follow these steps to regain control.

Firstly, start by deleting large and unnecessary files. Use a desktop disk space manager like WinDirStat (for Windows) or Disk Inventory X (for Mac) to identify and remove the largest files. You can also utilize sorting options or storage usage tools provided by your cloud storage service to find and delete unnecessary files. Keep in mind that you may come across more unneeded files later, but getting rid of the obvious ones is a good start.

Next, consider which files should be stored in which service. If you use multiple cloud storage services, organize your files according to type and purpose. For instance, store photos in OneDrive, documents in Dropbox, and videos in Google Drive. By dividing your files across different services, you’ll have a clearer overview and prevent any one service from becoming overwhelming.

To establish a clear folder structure, think about your file retrieval habits. Create a system of folders that aligns with how you search for files. While powerful search functions are available, having well-organized folders provides peace of mind. Ensure you strike a balance with the number of folders—avoid having too few or too many. You can always adjust the structure over time. Additionally, consider creating an Old folder within directories where you might want to archive data. It keeps files accessible but prevents clutter.

Once you’ve defined your folder structure, it’s time to move files to their appropriate folders and rename them. This step requires going through your existing cloud files and relocating each item. Take the opportunity to give files meaningful names that are relevant to their content. Avoid generic or default names that make it difficult to identify files at a glance. Consider using consistent naming conventions for better organization.

To ease access to frequently used folders, star or create shortcuts for them. Starring files and folders within the cloud storage platform helps you quickly access important information. For seamless access on your computer, create shortcuts in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) to your most frequently used folders. This way, you can navigate to them with just a few clicks while keeping the rest of your files logically organized.

Remember that organizing your cloud storage is an ongoing process. Once you’ve completed the initial cleanup, stick to your organization plan. Sort new files into their appropriate folders as soon as you add them to prevent a cluttered mess from building up again. Regular maintenance on a weekly basis will ensure your cloud storage remains organized. Additionally, don’t forget to prioritize the security of your cloud storage accounts by implementing proper security measures.

By following these steps, you can regain control over your cloud storage and simplify the way you store and access your files.

Source: https://www.makeuseof.com/simplify-clean-up-cloud-storage-mess/

Best ways to organize your cloud storage files

Think back to the days when we had to store everything locally on our computers. Thumb drives and external hard drives helped, but it was cumbersome. Today, everything syncs right to cloud storage. Is it safe to store personal documents like your ID, financial info, or medical files in the cloud?

You might use the free Google Drive account that comes with Gmail. It fills up fast. Your cloud storage can quickly become a disorganized mess. Set aside a little time and clean it up. You’ll thank me later when you can tap on the exact file you want.

Folders are your friend. Go back to basics. It would help if you created folders with names that make sense. Your docs may automatically get pulled into folders, but that’s not good enough. Start by creating general folders based on the format of each file, including photos, documents, music clips, and videos. Place all the videos into one folder, Excel docs into another folder, and so on.

Use these keyboard shortcuts to make the job go faster. To select files grouped together, hold Shift and select the first and last item. This highlights those two and everything in between. To select files grouped apart, hit Ctrl and then click on each individual file. Then, drag the files to their designated folder. Now that you sorted the folders logically, it’s time to get a little more into the weeds.

Second, create subfolders. It’s not enough to dump everything into one general folder based on format. Consider that your starting point. Next, distinguish between the content of those files. Let’s say you’ve separated your photos from everything else. Now that you’re in your Photos folder, create separate subfolders dedicated to vacations, birthdays, pets, or whatever makes sense for you. You want to put everything in a specific place, so it’s easy to hunt down later. The same goes for documents. If you’re digitally storing financial records to make tax season more accessible, create subfolders for each year. Your future self will thank you.

Keep going until you have made all your folders as specific as possible. While you’re working on this, create a folder naming system. Keep it consistent so you don’t get confused down the line. In the tax example above, you could name one folder 2021_Taxes. Keep the format with the year first and the underscore to keep everything tidy. The same goes for your photos. Maybe your folder flow looks like this: Photos > Pets > Abby. I know all my pictures of my golden retriever, Abby, go right in that folder.

Here’s a bonus tip: Your phone’s photo library is good for more than just selfies and pictures of food for Instagram. Your life will be better organized with a handful of images at your fingertips. These can make travel more manageable or even help you out in an emergency. They’ll really save you some trouble down the line.

Learn about all the latest technology on the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2021/11/14/how-clean-up-and-organize-your-cloud-storage-files/8593692002/

My OneDrive says it’s full

If you’re facing the issue of your OneDrive being full, there are a few things you should know. When your OneDrive reaches its storage limit, you’ll receive an email notification and notice an icon in your notification or menu bar indicating the full storage. There could be several reasons why your OneDrive is full.

To resolve this issue and get back under your storage quota, you have two options: delete some files or purchase additional storage. Although your files will become read-only when you exceed the storage limit, you can still download or delete files to free up space and bring your usage below the limit.

What happens if you continue to exceed your OneDrive storage quota for an extended period? After one year of surpassing the storage limit, you may face some consequences. It’s important to be aware of the potential outcomes.

OneDrive storage encompasses your personal Microsoft account and offers various features and benefits. It’s essential to understand what’s included in your OneDrive storage to make the most of it.

If you require further assistance with your OneDrive or have additional questions, there are several resources available to help you. You can explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn about device security, and access other options to enhance your experience.

In addition to the available resources, communities can be an excellent platform to seek assistance. These communities enable you to ask and answer questions, provide feedback, and interact with experts who possess extensive knowledge in the field.

In summary, if your OneDrive is indicating that it’s full, you should take action to address the issue. Deleting files or purchasing additional storage are the recommended steps to bring your usage back under the storage limit. Understanding the consequences of exceeding the storage quota for an extended period is crucial. Moreover, familiarizing yourself with the features and benefits included in OneDrive storage can enhance your overall experience. Utilizing available resources and engaging with communities can provide further assistance and expert guidance.

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/my-onedrive-says-it-s-full-f0a8a922-d971-497e-b0c6-7b9a47c617c0

Is your iCloud storage full? 5 tips on how to free up space

Is your iCloud storage full? Don’t worry; it happens to the best of us. Even if you’ve recently purchased an Apple device, the free 5GB that comes with your Apple ID isn’t sufficient for storing a large number of images, files, and iPhone backups. While buying more iCloud storage space or upgrading to a higher plan is the ideal solution, you can free up a significant amount of space by decluttering your iCloud account. In this guide, we’ll provide five easy tips to help you free up space in iCloud.

First, it’s a good idea to determine what’s consuming the most space in your iCloud. Navigate to the iCloud section in your device’s settings app and select Manage Storage. You’ll see a bar chart displaying the types of files taking up your iCloud space. Backups, photos, and messages are usually the main culprits. Scroll down for a detailed list of installed apps and the amount of iCloud storage they use. This information will help you identify the areas where you can make the most significant changes to free up space.

Backups of your devices are often responsible for a full iCloud storage. If you had your old iPhone set to automatically upload backups to the cloud, those files might still be taking up storage space, even if you no longer need them. To delete unnecessary backups, open iCloud from the Settings app on iOS or the System Preferences app on MacOS. Click or tap Manage Backups to view all the backups saved in your iCloud account. Delete the ones you no longer require to free up storage space. Additionally, check which individual apps are backing up to your iCloud account and disable backups for apps that don’t require it.

Another way to save space is by managing your messages. Over time, text messages and iChat threads can accumulate and occupy a significant amount of storage, especially if you send a lot of photos or emojis. To reclaim space, open the Messages app and delete individual messages or entire conversations. Remember that deleting messages on one device will remove them from all your Apple devices. Alternatively, you can choose to delete message attachments, which often consume a disproportionate amount of space. Tap the contact’s name within a conversation, click the info button, select See All Photos, and delete the attachments you no longer need.

Email attachments can also consume a considerable amount of iCloud storage. If your iCloud account has stored years’ worth of emails, attachments may be taking up a significant portion of your space. Instead of deleting all your emails, iCloud Mail provides a convenient way to view emails with attachments sorted by size. Open iCloud Mail and select View, then Sort by Attachments. This allows you to delete emails with attachments quickly. Alternatively, you can set a specific size threshold and remove emails with attachments larger than that size.

Your photo library is likely to be the largest occupant of storage space within your iCloud account. Apple devices capture high-resolution photos and videos, leading to substantial storage consumption. Managing your photo library can help you reclaim significant space. Unfortunately, there’s no automatic way to identify unwanted photos in your iCloud library, so it’s up to you to review your albums and delete unnecessary photos. Additionally, crop videos to keep only the parts you want to keep and delete any outtakes. Deleting photos doesn’t immediately free up storage because they are moved to the Recently Deleted album. To reclaim the space, navigate to the Recently Deleted album and remove all the files from it. Going forward, it’s a good practice to delete unwanted photos immediately and consider moving older albums offline if you don’t require immediate access across devices.

iCloud Drive stores copies of various files, including documents, PDFs, and application files. Over time, your iCloud Drive can become cluttered, similar to messages, mail, and photo libraries. The easiest way to clean iCloud Drive is through

a computer, but it can also be done on an iPhone or iPad. On a Mac, open the iCloud Drive folder in Finder and sort files by size, type, or creation date. Delete any files you no longer need.

In summary, with files from the entire Apple ecosystem syncing to iCloud, it’s easy for your storage to fill up quickly. Regularly dedicating a few minutes to clean your storage space can free up space, help you stay organized, and prevent the need to purchase additional storage. By following these five tips, you can address the most common causes of a full iCloud account. If you continue to experience space issues, consider exploring additional resources on how to optimize storage on your Apple devices.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/is-your-icloud-storage-full-5-tips-on-how-to-free-up-space

Delete files or folders in OneDrive

You can delete files or folders in Microsoft OneDrive either individually or in their entirety. If necessary, you can also restore items from the OneDrive recycle bin. To delete files from your local computer while keeping them on OneDrive, or vice versa, refer to the appropriate instructions.

To begin, navigate to the OneDrive recycle bin by selecting Recycle bin in the left side navigation panel of OneDrive.

Please note that there might be a slight delay in reflecting the deletion of files from the OneDrive recycle bin on your storage availability.

Deleting from OneDrive but not your hard drive:

If you want to retain a file, photo, or folder on your computer but remove it from OneDrive, utilize File Explorer (or Mac Finder for Mac users) to relocate the item outside the OneDrive folder and place it in a different folder on your hard drive.

Deleting from your hard drive but not OneDrive:

Should you wish to retain a file, photo, or folder in your OneDrive but not on your computer to save storage space, add the file to your OneDrive folder and enable the Files On-Demand feature. This allows the file to appear in your OneDrive folder on the computer without occupying any hard drive space.

Deleting from both OneDrive and your hard drive:

If you have synchronized your OneDrive with your desktop or hard drive, use File Explorer (or Mac Finder) to locate and delete the desired file, photo, or folder.

Please note that when deleting more than 200 synced OneDrive or Team Site files simultaneously, the OneDrive sync client will prompt for confirmation.

Deleting items from your shared list:

To remove an item shared by other users, select the item and then choose Remove from shared list from the bar at the top of the page.

To remove an item from Shared by me, select the item, click on Information in the upper-right corner to open the Details pane, and then select Manage Access.

It is important to note that these instructions only apply to Microsoft accounts (OneDrive for home) and do not pertain to OneDrive for work or school.

If you need further assistance, you can explore subscription benefits, access training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Additionally, communities are available where you can ask and answer questions, provide feedback, and seek advice from knowledgeable experts.

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/delete-files-or-folders-in-onedrive-21fe345a-e488-4fa7-932b-f053c1bebe8a

How to Clear Out Space in All Your Cloud Storage Accounts

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Source: https://gizmodo.com/how-to-clear-out-space-in-all-your-cloud-storage-accoun-1844611066

Running out of cloud storage? Here’s how to clear out your Gmail inbox

Running out of cloud storage in Google Drive can be a nightmare, especially when it’s caused by years of email buildup in your Gmail inbox. However, there are several ways to clear up space in your inbox and prevent future storage issues. By utilizing smart strategies, you can make the most of the 15 free gigabytes offered by Google to every user.

To begin with, it’s important to check which Google apps are consuming the most cloud storage. You can do this by accessing the drop-down menu on the right side of Gmail’s search bar. By gaining control over your digital life through this menu, you can identify the main storage culprits. If the issue lies in Google Drive or Google Photos, Google provides helpful tips to resolve those specific situations.

Attachments can quickly take up storage space in Gmail. To address this, you can use the search menu to find all emails with attachments. Once you have them in front of you, you can decide which ones to delete. However, exercise caution and avoid deleting important attachments that you might want to keep.

Another useful strategy is to learn how to filter emails effectively. For example, if you have numerous payment receipt emails cluttering your inbox, you can use Gmail filtering to manage them. By opening a message and clicking on the three vertical dots, you can select Filter messages like this to view all messages from that sender. This allows you to take appropriate actions based on your preferences.

Utilizing the search bar on the home screen, you can filter your inbox based on criteria such as email age or size. For instance, you can search for emails larger than a specific size, such as 5MB, and delete them in bulk to free up storage space.

Preventing future issues involves addressing subscriptions. Unwanted newsletters and subscriptions can quickly fill up your inbox. To manage them efficiently, you can use a service like Unroll.me, which provides a list of your subscriptions and allows you to unsubscribe from them easily. Be cautious when granting third-party services access to your account.

Regularly emptying your spam and trash folders is an essential practice. Even after following the aforementioned steps, deleted emails will still reside in the trash folder before being permanently removed. While they may not consume significant space, it’s advisable to keep your folders clean and free from unnecessary clutter.

In the worst-case scenario, if none of these methods provide sufficient storage, you can consider paying for additional storage from Google. However, by implementing the strategies outlined above, you should be able to optimize your Gmail inbox and avoid reaching that point.

Source: https://mashable.com/article/gmail-clear-cloud-storage-easy

Free up drive space in Windows

In Windows, there are several methods to free up drive space and manage your files effectively. By deleting unnecessary files, uninstalling unused applications, and moving files to another drive, you can optimize your storage usage. This article will guide you through these steps to help you reclaim valuable disk space.

To begin with, one of the easiest ways to free up drive space is by using the built-in feature called Storage Sense. Storage Sense automatically deletes temporary files, system files, and files in the Recycle Bin that have been there for over 30 days. It’s a convenient option to keep your storage clean without any manual effort. To enable Storage Sense, go to Settings, then click on System and Storage. Under the Storage Sense section, toggle the switch to enable it.

If you prefer to have more control over the files you delete, you can manually delete them. This method allows you to select specific files and folders to remove from your system. To do this, open File Explorer and navigate to the folders where the files are located. Select the files you want to delete, right-click, and choose Delete. Remember to review the files carefully before deleting them, as this action is permanent and cannot be undone.

Another effective way to free up drive space is by moving files to another drive. If you have multiple drives or partitions on your computer, you can transfer files from one drive to another to balance the storage usage. To move files, open File Explorer, locate the files you want to move, right-click on them, and choose Cut. Then, navigate to the destination drive, right-click in the desired location, and choose Paste. This process will transfer the files to the new location and free up space on the original drive.

In addition to managing files, it’s essential to uninstall applications that you no longer use. Unused applications take up valuable space on your drive, and removing them can significantly improve storage capacity. To uninstall applications, open the Settings app and go to Apps. A list of installed applications will appear, allowing you to select the ones you want to remove. Click on an application and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Moving files to another drive is another effective method to free up space. If you have a secondary drive or an external storage device, you can transfer files from your main drive to these alternative locations. This approach is particularly useful for large files such as videos, images, or documents that you don’t need immediate access to. By moving them to another drive, you can create more room on your primary drive for files that require frequent access.

In conclusion, managing drive space in Windows is crucial for optimal system performance. By utilizing features like Storage Sense, manually deleting files, uninstalling unused applications, and moving files to another drive, you can effectively free up space and keep your storage organized. Regularly reviewing and organizing your files will ensure that your computer runs smoothly and efficiently, without running out of disk space.

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-a18fae02-a0fa-8df9-9838-8970f9939de4

How do I clear my lightroom cloud STORAGE????

I apologize for the inconvenience you experienced with clearing your Lightroom cloud storage. It seems you were expecting a different outcome when following the steps to manage your photos. Let’s break down the situation and explore what happened.

Firstly, you mentioned that you use Lightroom CC on your iPhone as your primary camera. You find it preferable to the native iPhone photo application, particularly because of its DNG raw format and the post-processing capabilities provided by Lightroom CC and the Photoshop suite on your phone. However, you admit that you are not a frequent user of Lightroom on your computer, even though your photo library needs some organizing.

Typically, you export your Lightroom CC pictures to your iPhone’s native photo library, making it easy to transfer them to your computer. On this occasion, you decided to try a different approach. Your goal was to 1) copy the content from the cloud to your computer (which you accomplished without any issues), 2) clear the cloud storage, 3) transfer the remaining local Lightroom CC pictures from your phone to the cloud (assuming this would happen automatically after step 2), and finally, 4) repeat steps 1 and 2.

To your disappointment, step 2 did not only clear the cloud storage but also deleted your local iPhone Lightroom library. This caught you off guard, especially since you performed steps 1 and 2 on your computer. You express frustration that Adobe’s instructions were not explicit enough about the potential consequences of following the recommended procedure. You did not anticipate that you were risking the deletion of anything beyond the cloud content.

Fortunately, you had taken the precaution of performing a full backup of your iPhone using iTunes the day before. You are currently in the process of restoring it, hoping that your Lightroom library will be recovered. In the event that luck is not on your side, you express readiness to follow the recommendation provided to you and initiate a new discussion.

In summary, you encountered an unexpected issue while attempting to clear your Lightroom cloud storage. Step 2, as instructed, not only cleared the cloud but also deleted your local iPhone Lightroom library. You found this outcome disappointing and felt that Adobe’s instructions did not adequately warn you about the potential consequences. You are currently in the process of restoring your iPhone from a recent backup and hoping for the recovery of your Lightroom library.

Source: https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-ecosystem-cloud-based-discussions/how-do-i-clear-my-lightroom-cloud-storage/m-p/9721009

How do I clean up my cloud?

To clean up your cloud storage, you can easily do so by accessing Verizon Cloud through the website www.verizonwireless.com/cloud. By following these steps, you’ll be able to remove unnecessary files and organize your storage space efficiently.

Firstly, clutter can be quite bothersome, especially when it comes to your cloud storage. To tackle this issue, Verizon provides a user-friendly solution. Simply visit the Verizon Cloud website and log into your account. Once you’ve successfully logged in, you’ll have access to various tools and options to clean up your cloud.

Once you’re on the Verizon Cloud platform, you can start decluttering your storage by identifying files and data that are no longer needed. This includes outdated documents, redundant photos, and any other files that you deem unnecessary. By removing these items, you’ll free up valuable storage space and improve the overall organization of your cloud.

Verizon Cloud offers a range of features to assist you in managing your files effectively. These features enable you to select multiple files at once for deletion or organization, simplifying the cleanup process. You can use checkboxes to mark the files you wish to remove or move to different folders, making it convenient to handle large amounts of data.

In addition to deleting unnecessary files, you can also create new folders and organize your existing files into them. This way, you can categorize your data according to your preferences, making it easier to find specific files when you need them. An organized cloud not only saves you time but also enhances your overall cloud storage experience.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that by cleaning up your cloud storage, you’re not only optimizing your personal organization but also ensuring that others can benefit from your conversation. By clicking the Correct Answer button under JosephT_VZW’s response, you’re helping future users find the information they need quickly and efficiently.

Lastly, staying connected is essential, and Verizon provides updates and support through various channels. You can follow Verizon Support on Twitter at @VZWSupport to stay up to date with the latest news, tips, and assistance related to your Verizon services. This way, you’ll always be informed about any improvements or changes that may affect your cloud storage experience.

In conclusion, cleaning up your cloud storage is a straightforward process that can be done through the Verizon Cloud website. By logging into your account, you can remove unnecessary files, create new folders, and organize your existing data more efficiently. Don’t forget to click the Correct Answer button to help others benefit from your conversation. Stay connected by following @VZWSupport on Twitter for updates and support.

Source: https://community.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-Cloud/How-do-I-clean-up-my-cloud/td-p/1018677