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
    2015-07-11T14:11:22+00:00

    When you say "LOCK the icon items on my desktop" I'm assuming that you mean to keep them from re-arranging themselves with a reboot? If that is what you mean, then just copy then paste whats below to notepad, then click on "File>save as..." at the top, save it to the desktop. when you go to save it change the "Save as type" from "Text Documents (*.txt)" to "All Files" and name it anything with a .reg extension. then close everything and click on the file and choose "merge". also you want to make sure to add the part " Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00". that registry setting saves the position of items on the desktop when you shut down

         Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

    "NoSaveSettings"=hex(3):00,00,00,00

    Why isn't this simpler?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-06-19T07:05:28+00:00

    There is no Properties selection when you right click on empty space on Desktop in Windows 7.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-23T14:46:54+00:00

    When you say "LOCK the icon items on my desktop" I'm assuming that you mean to keep them from re-arranging themselves with a reboot? If that is what you mean, then just copy then paste whats below to notepad, then click on "File>save as..." at the top, save it to the desktop. when you go to save it change the "Save as type" from "Text Documents (*.txt)" to "All Files" and name it anything with a .reg extension. then close everything and click on the file and choose "merge". also you want to make sure to add the part " Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00". that registry setting saves the position of items on the desktop when you shut down

         Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

    "NoSaveSettings"=hex(3):00,00,00,00

    Forget all this messing about.

    For Windows 7 google & download DESKTOP RESTORE (DeskInstU.msi)

    http://desktop-restore.software.informer.com/![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/59b2bb2c-24ad-4a71-ae0c-ec682f12a2a6?platform=QnA)

    VERY simple, follow download instructions

    Then, Right click on desktop & new SAVE DESKTOP option appears

    including >>> RESTORE DESKTOP <<<<

    !!! f i n a l l y !!! :)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-20T15:00:56+00:00

    This worked! Thank you! I had a difficult time find out how to do this. Several people said to download a program, but I knew there was a technical way of doing it. Thanks again!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments