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
    2013-01-26T12:28:26+00:00

    Thanks again Peter_Pan_7, this looks like a great little app.  Also managed to find a nice little 'search' app called Super Finder XT on the same site which has a nice layout for searching computer.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-26T11:46:17+00:00

    Thanks Peter_Pan_7 ,

    Sounds like a plan !  :-)

    Greetings from Cayman Islands, Caribbean and Happy New Year to you too.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-26T11:16:33+00:00

    It was XP. Good luck with it. If all else fails try one of the utilities mentioned by others that lock icons in place (sort of).

    Edit: Before I found the virus I used Icon Restore, which didn't stop the icons moving, but enabled a quick way of putting them back more or less in place, it's better than nothing if you can't resolve the problem.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-26T10:01:51+00:00

    I am quite doubtful that so simple solution would work but I'll give it a try! So I have refreshed my desktop and the next time the icons layout becomes cluttered, I will just reboot and check that my desktop has the look it had at that time of the refresh.

    Which OS are you running?

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