How can I lock desktop icons?

Anonymous

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.

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Anonymous

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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216 additional answers

Anonymous

2017-12-01T16:12:52+00:00

The process noted worked on 7. Nothing has worked for me on 10. I went from 7 to 10 so not sure about 8. We need to find someone to email at Microsoft. Dont think the ymonitor this site :)
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Anonymous

2017-12-01T04:38:31+00:00

I cannot understand why they made this so difficult for Windows 10, when in previous years all you had to do was click any space on your desk top & in the menu options, could “lock desk top icons”. So simple. I agree in thinking they don’t read this site. They could learn a lot if they would.😊
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Anonymous

2017-12-01T03:59:27+00:00

The process noted worked on 7. Nothing has worked for me on 10. I went from 7 to 10 so not sure about 8. We need to find someone to email at Microsoft. Dont think the ymonitor this site :)
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Anonymous

2017-12-01T00:35:12+00:00
I don't have a "lock icons in place" under the right click view.

Larry,

1. I personally think that the best solution to this on-going & long-term problem of “locking your Desktop Icons” was best stated by Maryann Pearson on 11/5/17:

a. “Maryann Pearson replied on November 25, 2017

b. Reply In reply to ThomasRedd's post on November 25, 2017

c. “Will someone from MICROSOFT please explain to me why I would have to use a workaround from CNET to fix a problem which has bedevilled dozens maybe thousands of Windows 10 users for years (yes, years!) and no one has yet found a real long term fix - and Microsoft just ignores the issue. It would be funny if it werent so freaking exasperating. I’ve tried all the suggested fixes -they don’t work.”

2. Ms. Pearson nailed it, Microsoft MUST resolve this issue! stretch914
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That said, may I clarify what Mike Dickie suggested:  

1. Right-clicked on my desktop, clicked on 'Personalize'  

2. 'Themes'  

3. 'Desktop Icons Settings'  

4. Deselect: 'Allow themes to change desktop icons'

Larry,  

A. You’ll not find "lock icons in place" under the right click view. **You’ll have to  weave your way through the “Right clicked - 'Personalize' - 'Themes' - 'Desktop Icons Settings' - Deselect: 'Allow themes to change desktop icons' “ maze!**  

B. It has been posted by the Community that it is necessary to always "RESTART" your PC BEFORE you try to go back & move your desktop Icons out-of-preferred position to confirm that you have actually locked your Desktop Icons.  

C. This procedure may very well work on other OS versions but **I never got it to work on my Windows 10 Pro**, Version 1709, OS Build 16299.64, Intel i5-3570k.  

Viel Glück !
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