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.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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,?

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

216 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. 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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-03T06:41:04+00:00

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. 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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-04-02T07:11:38+00:00

    I'm hoping SecurityGuy14  can clarify a point, since I'm concerned about making any changes to to the registry  -in the past I've had some disasters.  

    So,  how/where exactly does one "add the part  Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00"

    In other word, how and where should it be added in the registry editor (or somewhere else)? I've done a search, and cant find   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00   currently on my hard drive  (I have Windows 7 home premium   64-bit).

     This reshuffling of the desktop is a real annoyance and seems to have occurred in every version of Windows back to 98. I've used the Create Restore Point feature, but this is  a huge hassle if youve got to do it repeatedly. And since the rearranging seems to happen without any precipitating  factors I can determine, you'd almost have to create a restore point daily.

    By the way, when I check "screen resolution" by right-clicking the desktop, the monitor name and resolution all appear the same as always. I know that occasionally on reboot the system finds  "generic pnp monitor" in place of the actually monitor brand, but this doesnt seem to be a factor in my situation.

    Thanks to all those who take the time to offer help on these pages.

    Sorry I didnt get back on this, I wasnt getting the alerts about the thread that I was supposed to. for the part about adding "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00", that was just to say that it has to be included along with the rest, it has to be on the registry file created, by copying then pasting what I have there to notepad, for it to be recognized as a registry file


    Dennis ,, Owner: !\[\](http://dbsecurity.net/templates/rt_nexus_j15/images/header/dark/logo.png)Please dont forget to mark any post(s) that helped as helpful or answered EMAIL ME:: PERSONAL EMAIL :: BUSINESS EMAIL

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments