Simple Ways to Clean Up Your IT and Wrap Up the Year: Get your business ready for a strong start in the new year with simple, practical IT clean-up tips your whole team can action before the break.

Clear Out Old Files and Emails

Over the year, files, screenshots, downloads, and emails pile up. Before you shut down for the holidays, take a few minutes to:

• Delete old or unnecessary documents

• Clean your downloads folder

• Archive important emails into folders

• Empty your recycle bin or trash

A cleaner digital workspace means a cleaner start to January.

Update Your Passwords and Turn On MFA

The end of the year is a great reminder to refresh your logins.

Update any old or reused passwords, and make sure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is turned on wherever possible. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your accounts before heading into the break.

Log Out of Devices and Shut Them Down Properly

Make sure all laptops, desktops, and shared devices are logged out and shut down safely.

This reduces energy use, protects devices from unexpected outages, and gives your hardware a fresh start after the break.

Clean Up Your Desk and Physical Workspace

A tidy workspace supports a tidy IT environment.
Before your last day, encourage staff to:

• Clear their desks

• Secure any sensitive documents

• Store away laptops and accessories

• Remove clutter and old notes

This not only looks better, it reduces the risk of documents going missing over the holidays.

Turn On Your Out-of-Office Messages

In the rush that usually happens on the last work week of the year, this one is very easy to forget. Set a reminder on your phone to set up your out-of-office - the second last day of the work week is a good time to do this. If you want to be super prepared, you can set your out-of-office now - you can always select the days in which your OOO is set to in advance.
Make sure your email and Teams/Slack status include:

• Your return date

• Who to contact in your absence

• Support details if needed

Back Up Important Files Before the Break

Whether your business uses cloud storage or on-prem systems, double-check that important files are backed up.
This is a simple step, but it ensures your data is safe in case anything unexpected happens while the office is closed.

Unplug Non-Essential Devices

If there are monitors, printers, chargers, or accessories that won’t be used over the break, unplug them. It saves power and reduces risk from power surges or storms (especially during Aussie summer).