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6 automations I use every day to save time on my PC
If you're anything like me, your computer is probably full of little daily routines you perform without thinking: opening the same handful of apps each morning, clearing out a cluttered Downloads folder, or running the occasional cleanup tool when things feel sluggish. None of these tasks is hard, but they are redundant and boring, and also chip away at your focus.
At some point, I got tired of repeating myself. I figured if I can automate parts of my smart home, I should be able to automate my PC too. And so, after various experiments and research, I set up a few small automations to handle the boring stuff for me. Now my machine opens what I need, cleans up after itself, and even shuts down on its own when idle.
These aren't complicated scripts or tough-to-apply IT tricks. They're simple, practical tweaks anyone can set up in minutes, and only some require a third-party tool.
Apps that open automatically when I log in
My work tools are ready before I am
Every morning, I would start the same way: power on my laptop, log in, and then go through the ritual of launching my browser, email client, note-taking app, chat program, and a couple of project management tools. I'd click each one in sequence, watch them load, and only then start work. That meant my "first 10 minutes" of the day were basically wasted.
Now, all of those apps open themselves before I even sit down. My browser launches with a preloaded set of tabs, my email client pulls in overnight messages, and my chat app signs me in automatically.
By the time I grab my coffee and sit down, my digital workspace is ready and waiting for me. There's no temptation to check random websites while waiting for things to load, no wasted clicks, and no mental effort remembering what to open. It's not immediately evident, but productivity is definitely enhanced in the long term.
By default, only specific apps are allowed to run on startup. However, if you prefer to do this manually, press Windows + R and use the shell:startup command to open the Startup folder of your current user profile. Now, add the shortcut of the app you want to launch on system startup to this folder, and that's it.
Automatic file organization
My partitions no longer turn into a junkyard
I used to let my Downloads folder turn into a digital black hole. Anything I downloaded — PDFs, images, music files, and zipped archives — would pile up there until I ran out of space. Sorting it all manually was tedious, so I'd put it off, which made it worse.
That changed when I discovered the automation tool DropIt. I set up rules so that whenever a new file lands in my Downloads folder, it gets moved automatically based on its type. PDFs jump straight to my Documents folder, MP3s slide into Music, JPGs go to Images, and so on. I even have special rules for installers that funnel them into a dedicated "Installers" directory, so I can find them later if I need to reinstall something.
The result? My folders are always tidy without me lifting a finger. When I go looking for a file, it's already in the right place. And because the rules can be set to run constantly in the background, I never have to schedule "file cleanup" days, and my PC quietly does it for me.
Scheduled system maintenance
My PC takes care of itself
Like most people, I used to be reactive about system maintenance. I'd only run Disk Cleanup when my storage was low, or only update Windows when it nagged me enough times. Backups were … let's just say "occasional."
Now, all of that happens automatically. I used Task Scheduler to set up a weekly silent run of Disk Cleanup, targeting temp files, caches, and leftover system update debris. I've configured Windows Update to install during off-hours, so I wake up to a freshly patched system without midday interruptions.
The beauty of scheduling maintenance is that you stop thinking about it entirely. It just happens, which means my PC stays fast, my OS stays secure, and my files are protected without me doing a thing.
Auto-backup important folders
My files are safe even when I forget about them
If you've ever lost a file because you forgot to back it up, you know how painful that can be. That's where tools like Duplicatiand FreeFileSync come into play. I now have my Documents, Desktop, and active project folders backed up frequently. The moment I save a file or make a change, it's instantly duplicated on the cloud and an external hard disk.
This means if my laptop gets stolen, my SSD dies, or I just make a dumb mistake and overwrite something, I can recover it within minutes. The peace of mind is worth it alone, but the convenience is just as important. I can easily switch between my desktop and laptop without worrying about whether I have the right files on hand.
Auto-update your apps
Software that stays fresh without bugging me
Keeping apps up to date is one of those chores that's easy to forget until you hit a bug or security warning that an update would have fixed weeks ago. The problem is, I hate manually checking for updates, downloading installers, and clicking through wizards.
So I don't. I use Patch My PC, which scans my installed software periodically and silently updates any outdated components. It handles everything from browsers to productivity tools to utilities, all without nagging me mid-work. If I don't want to auto-update any app, I can make an exception for it as well.
Auto-close unused apps and schedule sleep/shutdown
No more leaving my PC running all night
I used to leave my PC running overnight all the time, with half a dozen heavy programs and browser tabs open. In the morning, everything would be sluggish, and I'd end up restarting anyway. It wasted power and slowed me down.
Now, I have a Task Scheduler script that runs at the end of my workday to close certain resource-hungry apps like Photoshop, Slack, or my video editing software. If I haven't shut the machine down by 11 PM, another scheduled task automatically puts it to shutdown. You can also schedule sleep or hibernate in a similar way.
Small automations, big difference
What I love about these six automations is that they're dead simple to set up. Most took me less than ten minutes. But over time, they've probably saved me hours of repetitive clicking, sorting, and tidying.
More importantly, they've freed up mental bandwidth. I no longer worry about whether I've run a backup or updated my apps. My PC quietly handles those things while I focus on my work or just enjoy my downtime.
If you've never automated anything on your PC, start with just one. Maybe it's having your apps open at login, or auto-sorting your Downloads folder. Once you see how much smoother it makes your day, you'll start looking for other ways to let your machine do the work for you.