TL;DR
A WIRED piece by Jill Duffy recommends using New Year's Day to perform simple tech maintenance chores to keep your devices running smoothly. The article is framed as a set of 10 cleanup tasks, but the excerpt provided does not list those tasks in detail.
What happened
On January 1, 2026, WIRED published a short how-to piece by Jill Duffy suggesting that readers devote New Year's Day to a set of straightforward tech chores. The article's premise is that a few focused maintenance actions can improve the state of a person's digital life and help devices run more reliably. The published item is titled to indicate there are 10 specific cleanup tasks; however, the excerpt available here does not include the task list itself. The page includes a Getty Images photo and subscription prompts encouraging readers to start a free trial or sign in, and it lists Duffy's background as a writer who covers work culture and productivity and is the author of The Everything Guide to Remote Work.
Why it matters
- A brief, dedicated maintenance session can reduce digital clutter and make devices feel more responsive.
- Adopting simple routines early in the year may prevent small issues from becoming larger problems later.
- Prompts like this can help people prioritize digital hygiene alongside other New Year’s goals.
Key facts
- Publication: WIRED
- Author: Jill Duffy
- Published date: January 1, 2026
- Article framing: recommends doing tech cleanup tasks on New Year's Day
- Headline indicates the article lists 10 cleanup tasks, though the tasks themselves are not present in the provided excerpt
- Photo credit on the page: Getty Images
- The page includes subscription prompts and a call to start a free trial
- Author notes in the excerpt: Duffy writes about work culture, has covered productivity since the mid-2000s, and authored The Everything Guide to Remote Work
What to watch next
- Whether the full article lists the specific 10 tasks and step-by-step instructions — not confirmed in the source
- If any of the tasks recommend security or privacy steps (passwords, backups, updates) — not confirmed in the source
- Whether full access to the task list requires a WIRED subscription or free trial — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Digital cleanup: A set of actions aimed at removing unnecessary files, organizing data, and tidying apps and accounts to improve usability and free up space.
- Device maintenance: Routine checks and updates performed on a computer, phone, or other electronics to preserve performance and security.
- Paywall / subscription prompt: A mechanism used by publishers that restricts full access to content unless the reader subscribes or logs in.
- Backup: A copy of data stored separately so it can be recovered in case the original is lost, corrupted, or deleted.
Reader FAQ
Who wrote the article?
Jill Duffy, a WIRED contributor who covers work culture and productivity.
When was it published?
January 1, 2026.
What are the 10 cleanup tasks?
Not confirmed in the source.
Is the full article free to read?
The page includes subscription prompts and a free-trial offer, suggesting full access may require subscribing or signing in.
JILL DUFFY GEAR JAN 1, 2026 5:00 AM 10 Tech Cleanup Tasks for New Year's Day Knock out these simple chores on this day of fresh starts to keep you…
Sources
- 10 Tech Cleanup Tasks for New Year's Day
- Get Organized: 10 Digital Cleanup Projects for the New Year
- 14 Effective Ways to Declutter Your Digital Life for the New …
- Digital Cleaning: 10 Steps To Become More Productive In …
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