In Hotmail, you can make folders to organise emails. I've created about 25 folders, such as proofreading, kijiji, and games testing. This is too many folders. I have to use the sodding scroll bar just to see them all.

Actually, I'm forced to scroll down the folders list. This is because I've set Hotmail to automatically sort new emails into folders, so I have to scroll through the folders just to see if they contain any new emails.

I need a new way to organise. I've looked online and found someone who uses only three folders:

1. To-do
2. Wait
3. Reference

If the message is a task you’ve got to complete–like a request from the boss–file it into your To-do folder, and add it to your to-do list. If the message is about something you’re waiting for–like a package shipment notification or a promise from a co-worker to get you something by next Tuesday–put it in your Wait folder, and maybe even on your calendar. Everything else–the CC’s, the FYI’s, the “just thought you should know”s–file these in Reference. That’s your library of email that you can search any time to look up information you might need later.

I like this method as it needs less maintenance. I can use the search box when I need to find a specific email. The only problem is when the search function doesn't work because I can’t think of a good enough "keyword" to search for; if I can't remember a person's name, for instance.

Edit on 22 May 2017: The system I'm using now is even simpler: I don't use folders at all. I just keep all emails in my inbox. And when I need to find a specific email, I use the search box. So it's true what they say: the simpliest solution is the best one.