Access your files quickly

Here's a quick rundown of things that both Windows and Mac users can do to access their files and applications quickly.

Windows users

• Use the Quicklaunch bar (Create folder shortcuts)
  The quicklaunch bar will appear directly to the right of the Start button if it's enabled. You can add both program shortcuts and shortcuts to folders to this menu. To add a folder shortcut, locate the folder, right click on it, and select "Create Shortcut" drag this shortcut just left of the double arrow in the quicklaunch bar to add it. If you don't see any icons immediately to the right of the start button, enable the Quicklaunch bar by right-clicking on the
  
• Use the Recent Documents in the Start Menu
• Keep files organized into folders
  Use the My Documents, My Music, and My Pictures Folders. Keeping your files organized into folders is an easy thing to overlook, but can be easily remedied. Create a new folder every time you have a project, or develop a personal hierarchy of folders that you know exactly where something is and you won't have to spend time looking for it.
  
• Clear the desktop
  Although it may seem convenient to save your files and folders on the desktop, it can also be just an problematic to store your folders here. With a multitude of files stored here it can take a while just to find a file that you need. I would only recommend keeping minimal shortcuts, including My Documents, the Recycle Bin, and maybe shortcuts to one or two folders that you use everyday. Instead, place shortcuts to folders in the Quicklaunch bar where they can be accessed without having to minimize every program to get to the desktop.
  
  Note: If you must use the desktop to store your files/folders, the "show desktop" shortcut in the Quicklaunch bar can save you a lot of clicks. Check it out.
  

Mac users

• Use the Finder Sidebar
  You can drag folders and even individual documents to the finder sidebar to access them quickly and keep your desktop clear from aliases. This should help keep your dock clear of any folders that you've added here
• Use Stacks (Leopard only)
  Your documents folder appears as a stack by default. Drag other folders to the stack area of the dock to create a stack.
• Use the search function in the Open/Save Dialogs
  The search toolbar is available in the open and save dialog boxes. It can find both files and folders and is probably the fastest way to save/open a file at a specific location.
  
• Create a New Smart Folder
  In the finder, go to File > New Smart Folder. You can add parameters for this new smart folder, such as "Last opened date" or "Late modified" date is today. This will enable you quick access to any files and documents that you've already worked on today. You could also change those options to encompass the entire week for files from recent projects. You can also add an extra parameter for only files that are Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or any other file type. Add this folder to the dock or finder sidebar when you're finished, and now you have easy access to any recent files of your choice.
  
• Recent Items Menu
  Click on the Apple and you'll see the "Recent Items" option with an arrow. Hover your mouse over this option to see a list of documents and applications you've opened recently.