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
    2010-08-11T05:16:35+00:00

    OMG!....this worked!  Thank you so much for posting this info.  It's been driving me nuts because not all of the icons would move so even Microsoft Support couldn't figure it out.  I have an escalation call in the morning and I'll be sure to give them this info.  It was so easy that we made it harder then it was.  I've rebooted several times and they're in place everytime!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-08-11T05:19:30+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. 

     

     

     

    THIS REALLY WORKS...THANKS, PAULY GONE.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-08-23T16:11:07+00:00

    Pauly Gone's advice worked for me.  None of the others listed before this did.

    Thanks

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-09-11T15:43:43+00:00

    You can't do this in WIN7

    How can I lock my ICONS in WIN7?

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