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Sometimes Newton’s Law of Inertia is just as applicable to the digital world as to the physical. All too often our files sit around never to be filed. Downloads and other sundry files pile up never to leave. Fortunately, an uncluttered desktop can be a reality.

Meet Hazel, your personal housekeeper.

• Create rules to automatically keep your files organized

Hazel watches whatever folders you tell it to, automatically organizing your files according to the rules you create. It features a rule interface similar to that of Apple Mail so you should feel right at home. Have Hazel move files around based on name, date, type, what site/email address it came from (Safari and Mail only) and much more. Automatically put your music in your Music folder, movies in Movies. Keep your downloads off the desktop and put them where they are supposed to be.



• More than just filing

Hazel can open, archive, set color labels and add Spotlight comments. And in Hazel 2, you can now have Hazel rename your files or sort them into subfolders based on name, date or whatever combination of attributes you choose. Hazel 2 gives you the ability to create even more powerful workflows than ever before.



• App Sweep

When you throw away applications, they can leave behind support files that never get cleaned up. With Hazel 2’s App Sweep, Hazel will detect when you throw applications away, search for its support files and offer to throw those away as well. Uninstalling applications is integrated with your Trash so you don’t even have to think about it.



• Spotlight Integration

Improved Spotlight integration allows you to use any Spotlight attribute in your rules. Filter files based on Spotlight attributes or use them in conjunction with the new renaming and sorting actions. Sort your photos by aperture or shutter speed or rename your music files with artist, album and year. Make your metadata work for you.

• Hazel cleans as well

Hazel has options to clean out those pesky unneeded files that clutter your folders, getting rid of incomplete and duplicate downloads for you. And, of course, you can set up whatever rules you want to automatically throw files away.



• Never take out the trash again

You can have Hazel manage your Trash. Select from different options to keep your Trash in check. And for extra security, Hazel can also shred files like Finder’s “Secure Empty Trash” option.

• Work undisturbed

Hazel works quietly in the background allowing you to focus on your real tasks. Just set up your rules via a System Preferences pane and let Hazel do its job. Hazel tries not to hog up resources. You won’t notice it’s there but you’ll notice when it’s gone.



• Or let Hazel be chatty

Hazel 2 now supports Growl. Receive notifications on your Desktop about what Hazel is doing. Even create your own custom notification messages.

Hazel is a simple, but delightful and handy little app to have around. You’ll wonder how you managed without it. So go ahead and try out Hazel Today.

P.S. Click on the Thumbnails to see a full screenshot of the App