Save desktop icons position and restore when needed in windows 7

Anonymous
2010-08-18T22:35:03+00:00

How can I save desktop icons position and restore when needed in windows 7 ultimate x86

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
Ramesh 181.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2010-08-20T03:09:50+00:00

You can save custom desktop icon position and restore it when needed, using the Layout.dll shell extension from Microsoft. REF:Save and Restore Desktop icon layout in Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7. Or try DesktopOK Freeware - save and restore desktop icons.


Ramesh Srinivasan | The Winhelponline Blog

Microsoft MVP, Windows Desktop Experience

Was this answer helpful?

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

52 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Ramesh 181.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-10-30T02:30:36+00:00

    Ramesh, I have the same problem and tried the link you provided Save and Restore Desktop icon layout in Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7.  but it seems to link to browser security software downloads. I can't see how it directly addresses the solution of restoring the icon positions. Maybe it's changed in the time since you posted. Can you help with a new link? Thanks.

    Works fine here. Perhaps you clicked on a sponsored link?

    Try:

    http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/layout.zip

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-29T20:25:24+00:00

    Ramesh, I have the same problem and tried the link you provided Save and Restore Desktop icon layout in Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7.  but it seems to link to browser security software downloads. I can't see how it directly addresses the solution of restoring the icon positions. Maybe it's changed in the time since you posted. Can you help with a new link? Thanks.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-31T21:56:39+00:00

    Apparently it is possible for the value of "Auto arrange icons" be out of step with the displayed value in the "View" options of the list from right-clicking blank desktop space.  If this happens, Windows 7 may persist in auto arranging each time it starts despite the fact that Auto Arrange does not appear to be selected.

    A solution that worked for me is to: 

    SET the Auto Arrange option;

    Do a restart that way;

    Then uncheck the Auto Arrange option;

    And do another restart. 

    This seemed to get the Auto Arrange function behavior back in sync with the displayed value of the option, and stopped Windows 7 from auto arranging on startup.

    This problem may have come about through use or mis-use of "DesktopOK" mentioned in other replies.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.


    Comments have been turned off. Learn more