OpenTube

Most People Organize Their Mac Wrong

Let Mike Help

936 views

📄 File Retrieval Methods Reference:
https://letmikehelp.com/2026/06/most-...
------------------
Most discussions about file organization focus on folders versus search. I think that's the wrong question.

The real goal is reducing friction when you need to find a file later.

In this video, I discuss:
• Why file dumping creates problems
• How over-organizing can become its own source of frustration
• When folder structures work best
• When Spotlight and Finder search are more effective
• My personal hybrid approach to organizing files on Mac

How iPhone Wallpaper Customization REALLY Works
How iPhone Wallpaper Customization REALLY ...

👍 If this helped, consider liking the video
🔔 Subscribe for practical Apple tips and tutorials

☕ Buy Me a Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/VJdN0QczEN

MEDIA CREDITS
• kaboompics.com
• alia-danilevich
• mikhail nilov

⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:43 The Real Problem
01:03 File Dumping vs Over-Organization
02:30 When Folder Structures Matter
03:38 When Search Works Better
07:19 File Retrieval Methods Table
07:36 My Hybrid Approach
09:34 Building a Folder Structure
11:27 Final Thoughts

7 Comments

@LetMikeHelp Creator 3 months ago

That’s great. Make any tweaks needed over the coming weeks and months until it matches how your brain thinks. All the best to you!

@davep6603 3 months ago

I took this approach with my photos years ago and has served me well. At the top level are just a handful of categories that I photograph (e.g., Family, Landscapes, Portraits), and under those just a couple of levels are needed (e.g., Family > Vacation > Florida, or Landcapes > Maine > Acadia). When I need to find a photo, it usually takes less than a minute. Good tip about using keywords in Finder comments!

@aeli999 3 months ago

Thanks Mike, too many folders and subfolders, that's me. lol I don't have them on the desktop though because that drives me crazy. Just mapped out a new structure while watching the video . We'll see how it goes.

@rickatkinson1000 13 days ago

I only use iOS/iPadOS these days. I remember when Steve Jobs talked about file structure and how confusing file management was for many users.

When using macOS I was an ardent hierarchal folder master for many years. When I moved exclusively to iOS /iPadOS I took the plunge and eliminated all the folders leaving only key app created folders. All my documents are uploaded to iCloud and then synced to my other devices. Now I focus on a unified document naming structure and the rely on the built in search apps.

Steve said this was the way and works for me.

@JürgHölzle 3 months ago

Thank you for your tipps but I will stay with my system because it worked for many decades.
I am the folder guy and I will keep this, because I organise my projects in folders and subfolder. Search is easy because I name the folders and files properly. I also also put the downloaded file in its proper folder after download. I also save all my new files in a specific folder and then put it in the correct folder. I use Alias a lot when I am not sure, which folder may be the best one.
The folder of my current projects are in the menu bar.

@rsg9248 3 months ago

The one Windows feature that keeps me from moving 100% to my Mac is Windows File Explorer. I have not found any Apple file management app that works as logically and easily. If I am missing something please let me know.

@David-j3l8j 1 month ago

You are clear in your explanations, and that is GREAT! Would you please watch some of your own videos to notice how consistently your hands simply mime the inflection of your words? I, for one, find it extremely distracting. I'd suggest sitting on your hands from time to time or, if you must move your hands that much, keep them well below the video image. Thank you for your work.