Jul 12, 2024
How to work effectively with large files
Large files — it’s hard to avoid them these days. Here are some tips for managing them quickly without stress.
According to myth, back in the early 80s Bill Gates claimed that “a 640 KB memory should be enough for anyone.”
Today, it’s difficult to imagine anyone believing this. Due to things like CAD, multimedia, and simulation tools, our everyday programs are more complicated and expansive — and so are the associated file sizes. This can bring lots of issues, like severe computer slowdowns and storage problems.
If you work with large files, you’ve probably experienced some problems with hardware, software, or network limitations more than once. Here’s some tricks to help you work around them.
In this article:
1. Power up your hardware
- 64-bit machine: If you’re working with very large files, especially for CAD/CAM and multimedia applications, a 64-bit machine will be essential for productive work.
- High-quality video card: Invest in a video card with plenty of graphic RAM to handle complex visuals.
- Additional RAM: For smoother multitasking, boost your system’s random access memory (RAM), the temporary storage in your computer that allows applications to store and access data in the short-term.
2. Consider LAN and WAN infrastructure
- Fast network speeds: Ensure your network supports gigabit Ethernet or higher for seamless file transfers.
- Optimize file servers: If working in a team, ensure your file servers can handle large files efficiently.
3. Work on large files locally
- Work locally: Whenever possible, work on large files directly from your local machine. This minimizes disruptions caused by slow internet connections.
- Version control: Implement versioning or use professional tools to prevent accidental overwrites.
4. Manage your applications
- Avoid multiple instances: Opening multiple instances of memory-intensive programs (like CAD software) can slow down your system. Choose threading instead, which allows parallel task execution within a single process, sharing memory space.
- Close unnecessary applications: Keep only essential programs open to free up RAM.
5. Choose the right file system
- NTFS: Ideal for Windows systems, NTFS (New Technology File System) removes the 4GB file size limit.
- ExFAT: Great for flash drives, ExFAT ((Extensible File Allocation Table) supports large files without the overhead of NTFS features.
- Linux file systems: Linux users have options like EXT3, EXT4, and XFS.
6. Choose efficient file transfer methods
- Avoid email: Email is not designed for large file transfers due to slow speeds and attachment size limits.
- USB flash drives: Use high-capacity USB drives for offline transfers.
- SFTP/SCP: Securely transfer files using SFTP or SCP protocols.
- Cloud services: Consider cloud-based services like Dropbox or Google Drive.
- TeamViewer: Use TeamViewer Remote or Tensor for fast and direct file transfers. Get more tricks on our Community article about file transfers.
Summary
These days, there’s no real way around large files— especially if you’re working in industries like design or multimedia. We can’t shrink them or return to the halcyon days when 640 KB was enough, but we can use smart workarounds, so they don’t slow down or completely hijack your days.
The six tips mentioned here will help you to optimize your workflow when dealing with large files. By using hardware upgrades, smart practices, and efficient transfer methods like TeamViewer, you’ll be able to work more efficiently and avoid frustration. Best of luck!
Want more practical tips?
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