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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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,?

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

216 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-11-25T16:13:21+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

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-23T23:03:39+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  ;)

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T18:15:28+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,?

    I have win 7. When I right click I get a menu. I don't have ( desktop icons )as a choice. just view and limited choices to check or uncheck. To move them around I uncheck auto arrange icons & align icons to grid. No locking here. This may be true for XP.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T12:43:34+00:00

    i just tried it and there was no highlight desktop icons

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments