How can I lock desktop icons?

Anonymous
2009-12-08T03:27:27+00:00

I am unable to LOCK the icon items on my desktop. I have clicked right on the desktop and via properties checked lock items, yet they are easily moved and NOT locked. I've tried locking them thru 'Appearances and Themes', yet they will NOT lock. How can I get them to stop moving around and stay put by locking. Any help would be graciously appreciated. And, no I am not changing my resolution which I know moves them.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2009-12-08T12:17:08+00:00

Hi there,have you tried this?Right click an empty space on your desktop,highlight desktop icons,place a check  on 'lock icons in place' and uncheck'auto arrange,?

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-06-07T20:29:50+00:00

    jf you want lock your desktop do very simple thing as fallow

    Right click an empty space on your desktop expand the new  tab then select shortcut to make a short cut folder on your desk top by double click on it then a new window will be open  now  copy and past the following adderess into that  then press next and then finished

      rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation user32.dll,LockWorkStation 

    notice that this solution is good only if you use window password on your computer

    and it is better rename your short cut to interesting name like cards number, privet photo, paswords number  or etc for nosy peoples

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-06-07T17:25:27+00:00

    Once you right click there is no way to highlight the desktop icons and there is no "lock icons in place"

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-05-04T14:35:39+00:00

    What do you mean by  "highlight desktop icons"?  And, where is 'lock icons in place'?  I just see 'lock web items in place'.  I have tried all the suggestions except Security Guy's, and none work.  If I change the size of icons in Appearance in Properties, all my icons move to the left.  I enjoy changing my Desktop's appearance periodically, and also have my icons stay around the edge of the screen in groups where I can find one quickly.  Doesn't appear to be possible on XP?  Thanks.

    Actually it is possible to have Windows XP to save the position of the icons, the registry edit that I listed above tells the system to save the placement of icons


    Dennis ,, Owner: !\[\](http://dbsecurity.net/templates/rt_nexus_j15/images/header/dark/logo.png)Please dont forget to mark any post(s) that helped as helpful or answered EMAIL ME:: PERSONAL EMAIL :: BUSINESS EMAIL

    None of these fixes have worked for me - I've done both the registry file and the desktop properties check box but all the icons are back on the left when I reboot next morning.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-03-01T16:51:52+00:00

    I have tried this, lets see if it works for me, because I often access my desktop thru a remote session, and that's what messes my icons up...

    Besides creating the .reg file, i also doubleclicked on it and got it added to the registry without a reboot.

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