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
    2010-04-02T07:14:37+00:00

    What do you mean by  "highlight desktop icons"?  And, where is 'lock icons in place'?  I just see 'lock web items in place'.  I have tried all the suggestions except Security Guy's, and none work.  If I change the size of icons in Appearance in Properties, all my icons move to the left.  I enjoy changing my Desktop's appearance periodically, and also have my icons stay around the edge of the screen in groups where I can find one quickly.  Doesn't appear to be possible on XP?  Thanks.

    Actually it is possible to have Windows XP to save the position of the icons, the registry edit that I listed above tells the system to save the placement of icons


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  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-27T04:24:43+00:00

    I was wondering the same thing in Windows 7 when logged in as admin, and just stumbled into the answer.  After moving icons around, I have to log off and log back on, then the next time I shutdown and restart, the icons stay in place.  If I just shutdown without logging off, the icons dont stick.  I was also having a problem with some icons disappearing after restart.  The problem has nothing to do with 'auto-arrange' or any of the icon display options. 

    It seems stupid this is not explained in the desktop icon section of Win7 help.  There used to be a simple 'lock desktop icon' option in W2K when R-clicking your empty display, and in XP it just always worked for me without doing anything special.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-03T06:41:04+00:00

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-05-10T06:38:29+00:00

    GENIUS.... Thank You sir, I will install the new registry key on all work computers. What a lifesaver. Thanks securityguy.

    Regards. mike

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