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
    2013-11-06T13:01:45+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,?

    This is not an option for Windows XP Prof.

    Have to disagree there Roxanne, worked for me on XP, tho I've not found the auto arrange part and I've got service pack 3, maybe that makes a difference? The only slight annoyance I've got now, is all my icon name tags have gone a rather nasty shade of blue that totally clashes with my theme screen colours!  Hey, we should all have such major worries. :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T13:07:24+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,?

    Hi mysoul,

    If you're still out there, your tip worked for me thanx, but now my icon name tags are all a naff shade of blue! Is that par for the course? and will I just have to live with it?

    I'm on W XP service pack 3, if that makes a difference.

    Cheers :)

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-02T15:07:10+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

    Sorry, but what then...  I followed your instructions and it appeared to work fine.  But now what?

    What do I do with the .reg file I made?

    Thanks

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T17:31:03+00:00

    I agree with BJBALENTINE,

    there's an assumption of missing knowledge. I was unable to follow those instructions as well

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