You can add the source name to the file name.

I keep my designs in Master folders that are named by subject or topic...Christmas, Thanksgiving, Seasons, Children, Animals Flowers...etc., and within these folders, I create sub-folders for specific designs...like Flowers as a Main Folder, then say Roses inside as a sub-folder...When I create the sub-folder I include the name of the site it is from...like Flowers, Roses CuteEmb. I try to always include the file and color worksheet with the number of the design (here at Cute)...I also keep a separate file for those designs I purchase so I can go back to the website if I need to re-download any as many sites keep a purchase history. My purchased designs I also file in my Main Design Folders...so they are there twice...You can certainly change the name of a file without any harm...it is the extension of the file you need to be careful with...

I keep a really low tech word spreed sheet. I have a column for each of these: I copy and past a picture of the design, name of the file, the type of design (like which holiday flowers or alphabet) what format (I have designs for two different makes of machines), name of the website, how much I paid for it, and any notes about the design like what I used it on. Since I don't have software to view the designs on It really helps me keep track and help me find stuff. And if I'm looking for a specific thing like roses I can search for designs with roses or flowers in the name.

I write the digitiser's name in a text document, same name as the design, (eg: *****-dig.txt) and file it with the design.
For those unaware, you create text files using the program found in Microsoft's Accessories:- NOTEPAD

hugs n roses, Meg

I now file the designs twice. Once in Folder "By company" and then again "By Theme". Both have lots of subcategories. If I am looking for a specific design and want to know what company it came from, I use the search button on the computer, which brings up the company file. I only wish I would have done that from the beginning. I am still reorganizing and missing info from where they came from.

I have a folder for each place where I get designs and put them in there. I have ann the gran software that I can use to categorize too - but lately not enough time in the days so I just bring them into a folder by place there too (at least I can sort size, etc. that way)

I sort mine according to the digitizer I buy them from. The ones I use a lot I also sort into categories separately. The Windows search function is also handy when looking for specific designs e.g. Bears, roses, ITH bags etc.

I save mine under site I bought it from and also under category ie horse would be in folder animals and sub folder horses and if I can't find them I resort to AVA Find

I use folders and subfolders which lead to what the design is, i.e. fish. When I'm saving the file, I also include the digitiser's name or initials etc if it's not already a part of the file name. I am usually looking for a particular type of design, such as a greyhound which would come under dogs, and above that, animals. My file name might be GreyhoundFawn_CuteEmbr.jef Including the site name or digitiser also allows you to go back and check on how they allow the design to be used, for e.g. on items for a market sale or only for personal use.

I NEVER rename a design file......keeps me from downloading it more than once because the computer will say I already have that one. I use a program called Designers Gallery Studio something..not sure what they have now. I name the file folders the Designers name and keep all theirs in that folder. Then I can categorize them on the "category side" of the program and it tells me where they are. I can see a pic of them in either view...don't know what I'd do without that program!

However you save your embroidery files, remember to back them up regularly on a external hard drive or some other source because things happen to computers & all your designs can be lost.
I try to remember to back up mine every month on a external hard drive.
This is handy thing to do because sometimes a design becomes corrupted ,so all you need to do is look back through a few months of backups to find the design in perfect order

Like other cutie's i keep mine in main subject folders, ( dogs, cats, animals, nursery rhymes, teddy bears, and so on, inside those i keep sub folders as well. As i down load them i change the wording a little so i can find designs later on when required, along side the description , i have the original numbers and the site name i buy or get free designs from, but never take off the extensions. Designs that i use regular or want to recognise as special i have an asterix at the beginning ( # ) Alphabeta and numbers i keep in a separate folder ( file ) as well. I find this works well for me to be able to find quickly what design i want. Always back up designs as you never know when something will go wrong and usually at one time or another it shall. Sandra.