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
    2017-11-26T22:31:45+00:00

    This was driving me mad but I think I figured it out:

    Right-click your desktop, click on 'Personalise'

    > Themes

    > Desktop Icons Settings

    > de-select 'Allow themes to change desktop icons'

    > shift your icons around and restart your computer, they should be in the same place you left them.

    I know very little about Windows but I played around with it and this worked for me, I restarted four times and the icons stayed put. I'm on Windows 10 and my desktop settings are:

    'Auto-arrange icons' - off

    'Align icons to grid' - on

    Let me know if it works for you, then I can call this post my good deed for the day  ;)

    I used a  different route, like R- click desktop-personalize-change desktop icons-uncheck allow themes to change desktop icons. works for me on win 7. thanks

    I got to Themes but there was no option "Desktop Icon Settings" so it didn't work for me. Thanks anyway. Does anybody else have an option?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-26T04:11:34+00:00

    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. Ive tried all the suggested fixes -they dont  work.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-26T03:40:58+00:00

    Thomas Redd,

    Thanks for the lead, I'll look into it!

    1. Is http://download.cnet.com/Desktop-Restore-64-bit/3000-2072\_4-75451992.html the correct link?
    2. Is "desktop restore 2.2" the same as "Desktop Restore (64-bit)" ?
    3. I'm using: Windows 10 Pro, Version 1709, OS Build 16299.64, 64 bit, Intel i3-3220.
    4. The publisher of Desktop Restore (64-bit) [MIDIOX] DOES NOT list Windows 10 as compatible, only Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
    5. I'm hesitant to use Freeware off CNET, I got burned bad by CCleaner freeware!

    Thanks, stretch914

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-26T03:05:50+00:00

    Try the little program that is called desktop restore 2.2 and I think you'll like it. It works wonders for me

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