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.

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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
    2016-11-13T16:50:30+00:00

    I am  not hunting all over the internet for version 5 registry editor. I am finding this unbelievable that Microsoft refuses to address this issue all the way back to win 95 that they have disregarded any requests to repair this unbelievable blunder, a multi billion dollar company un able to write a simple patch to keep the icons in one place on the desk top! to LOCK the icons on the desk top you expect me to mess with the registry?

    I think like the other reader i will have way much more problems after that. I only hope that Windows 10 has fixed this, but I suspect according to my friends replies, Microsoft has not.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-18T13:41:21+00:00

    Thanks for this securityguy14. It worked first time. I have noticed though that now several of my icons, when selected give me the popup asking do I want to go there. It's not a terrible price to pay but I just wondered if there was a way around it.

    The other thing I wondered is if you've written a book or anything full of clever, useful but simple ways out of everyday computer problems like this example?. Thanks again

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-01T13:51:55+00:00

    This didn't work for me. Using Windows 7 Enterprise.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-07-02T17:35:09+00:00

    I tried:

    right click on empty space on desktop

    click on "personalize"

    click on "themes"

    click on "desktop icon settings"

    delete checkmark before "allow themes to change desktop icons"

    hit "apply"

    rearrange your icon the way you want

    restart computer

    This worked for me so I hope it works for you. I looked at a lot answers before I found this fix on another person's answer. So if they read this answer, THANK YOU!!!

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