How can I lock desktop icons?

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.

BURN BEFORE READING! I HAVE FOUND THAT THE FOLLOWING "SOLUTON" IS PURE BUNKUM.

BACK TO SQUARE ONE. CURSE MICROSOFT!

Isn't this annoying? I have found a very simple solution that doesn't involve messing with the registry. The first thing I did was create a folder on my desktop, and I named it "Desktop", naturally, but you can call it anything. Then copy all of your desktop shortcuts into this folder, and arrange them exactly as you would have them be on the desktop. I believe (though I haven't tested this) that this arrangement will never be modified by the desktop rearrangement process. Now you have two choices: 1) clear off the desktop (except for Recycle Bin and My Computer, which won't go away no matter what you do), and just use the open folder as your desktop, and 2) close the folder, and use it as a backup; i.e., whenever your desktop gets re-arranged, clear it, and then select all of the items in your folder and copy them to the desktop. This will preserve their original arrangement in the folder. Solution 1 has the disadvantage of not really looking like the desktop, since the background color will be different, although you can fiddle with the background colors if you like. I use solution 2, since the re-arrangement does not happen very often.

(Mistakenly proposed as answer.)

hello to lock your desktop icon follow these steps

rigt click on the desktop in empty area go properties go desktop go customize desktop go web and check lock desktop option

thanks and regards

NMRisve

I'm hoping SecurityGuy14  can clarify a point, since I'm concerned about making any changes to to the registry  -in the past I've had some disasters.  

So,  how/where exactly does one "add the part  Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00"

In other word, how and where should it be added in the registry editor (or somewhere else)? I've done a search, and cant find   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00   currently on my hard drive  (I have Windows 7 home premium   64-bit).

 This reshuffling of the desktop is a real annoyance and seems to have occurred in every version of Windows back to 98. I've used the Create Restore Point feature, but this is  a huge hassle if youve got to do it repeatedly. And since the rearranging seems to happen without any precipitating  factors I can determine, you'd almost have to create a restore point daily.

By the way, when I check "screen resolution" by right-clicking the desktop, the monitor name and resolution all appear the same as always. I know that occasionally on reboot the system finds  "generic pnp monitor" in place of the actually monitor brand, but this doesnt seem to be a factor in my situation.

Thanks to all those who take the time to offer help on these pages.