Windows 7 desktop icons keep rearranging themselves

Anonymous
2009-10-07T02:55:22+00:00

Every few days, all the icons on my Win7 desktop rearrange themselves. Usually they move to the left edge of the screen. I laboriously move all the icons back to where I like them, and 3-10 days later, they all shift left again. I've found no pattern or event that might cause this -- but it's very annoying!

I've got Win7 build 7100 running on a Dell Latitude D830 laptop. Totally standard hardware and very little non-Microsoft software. In short, it's a pretty clean system.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2009-10-07T17:38:17+00:00

To supplement Reyas.M.I.'s answer, Under View is the option to select the icon size, Auto arrange icons and Align icons to grid.  The Sort by option includes Name, Size, Item type and Date modified.  I suggest you check both View and Sort by.

Corrine, Microsoft MVP (Consumer Security). This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty, and confers no rights.

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Anonymous
2009-10-07T04:51:35+00:00

Check whether "Auto Arrange" checked. To check this, right click on desktop and select "Arrange icons by".

I hope this helps.

Thanks and Regards, Reyas...

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-06-27T10:38:56+00:00

    Hi John,

    There might be a chance that there is some system file corruption. So, I would suggest you to run SFC scan and see if it brings any difference.

    System file check is a utility built into the Operating System that will check for system file corruption. The sfc /scannow command (System File Check) scans the integrity of all protected operating system files and replaces incorrect, corrupted, changed, or damaged versions with the correct versions where possible.

    How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7.

    • Go to Start, click All Programs and open Accessories.
    • Right click on Command Prompt in the Program list and then select Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click OK.
    • In the Command Prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    sfc /scannow

    For more information refer to this link:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/en-us

    Do keep us updated.

    Regards,

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-06-23T10:15:11+00:00

    One of the first things I do when I get a new computer or reload the OS, is to unlock the Admin user.  I use Admin to run utilities like anti-malware and backups.  Admin user desktop rearranges as well.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-06-23T03:32:29+00:00

    Hi,

    If that is the scenario then I would suggest you to create a new user account as an administrator and check if it do the trick.

    Create a user account

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7

    Do keep us updated.

    Regards,

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