Welcome to the wonderful world of EMB!
Do you have any software? If you open the design in the software, you can see the design. My PC doesn't open any designs with pics except the PDF. I go through the software for EMB or the PDF file.
First, think how you think. How are you going to "think" to look for a file? I do categorize by vendor first and then in alpha order. When you download the file it is usually in a Zip format. I delete that file after the files are "extracted".
I keep notebooks. The Embroidery Library is just the receipt for the order so I can go through as needed. Those files I record in a EMB Library folder. Then by design in alpha order. I rename them and include File Name- PAK (if it is a set) and the number at end. This way is all sorted in alpha order.
Anita Good Designs are sorted in Alpha order by the years. I'm on year 5 of designs. I kept the catalogs from events and keep those in notebooks. When I make one of the quilts, I print the PDF color files and make notes of any color changes.
Other vendors such as Kreative Kiwi, Sweet Pea, Hatched in Africa, Jenny Haskins are in alpha order.
You may want to add FSL (free standing lace) or ITH (in-the-hoop) at the end of files. You will know right away what types of designs they are.
I can always do a search by file names for any design. I only keep PES for BL/Brother machines. No need to keep the others.
Designs are kept on a separate passport drive. Some of the special one are kept on the PC.
You can also make master lists in excel. It really doesn't take long if you start from the beginning. I wouldn't want to search 1,000s of designs if they weren't organized
A few more tips for you.
https://www.emblibrary.com/EL/ELProj...oductid=PR1735
PS: I only load a few designs on the USB that goes into machine. Easier to find the design. Label the USB as working and it's the one that goes into machine.
Hope that helps! Rhonda K.