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
    2017-11-27T15:55:10+00:00

    Thanks for the response.  When I de-selected "allow themes to change desktop icons" and rebooted, all of my icons were gone.  I'll just keep on dealing with Microsoft's flaw, I've almost gotten used to it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-27T13:13:36+00:00

    After you do your thing, restart your computer. This might be the difference.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-27T13:11:00+00:00

    I used a  different route, like R- click desktop-personalize-change desktop icons-uncheck allow themes to change desktop icons. works for me on win 7. thanks . I keep getting e-mails on this subject. I am good to go with your answer. I use win 7. That is the difference in the format.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-26T22:31:45+00:00

    This was driving me mad but I think I figured it out:

    Right-click your desktop, click on 'Personalise'

    > Themes

    > Desktop Icons Settings

    > de-select 'Allow themes to change desktop icons'

    > shift your icons around and restart your computer, they should be in the same place you left them.

    I know very little about Windows but I played around with it and this worked for me, I restarted four times and the icons stayed put. I'm on Windows 10 and my desktop settings are:

    'Auto-arrange icons' - off

    'Align icons to grid' - on

    Let me know if it works for you, then I can call this post my good deed for the day  ;)

    I used a  different route, like R- click desktop-personalize-change desktop icons-uncheck allow themes to change desktop icons. works for me on win 7. thanks

    I got to Themes but there was no option "Desktop Icon Settings" so it didn't work for me. Thanks anyway. Does anybody else have an option?

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