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
    2016-05-25T22:39:06+00:00

    This is not an answer and does not fix the problem, no matter how often you repost it. Windows still rearranges icons at seemingly random times on re-booting no matter how these options are set.

    The fix is to run a 3rd party program to remember and re-instate the desktop layout. I can no longer do so since my employer rescinded admin rights, which really sucks.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-10T17:30:55+00:00

    I just wanted to add, that the items marked as Answers to this thread do NOT solve the issue. 

    Can we have a checkbox somewhere that says "I'm serious, don't screw with the icon positions no matter how much the programmer thinks it's a good idea?"

    Lively Consulting

    Chris Lively fully, i jump through those continuous steps every time.. so annoying ..never used to happen just in past few months late 2015 to 2016

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-16T21:14:39+00:00

    Thanks! I've been racking my brain trying to remember "Iconoid".

    This is a very helpful little program (be sure to use the correct version, i.e. x64 or x86).

    It isn't a cure for my place changing icons, but it does move your icons back to the places they belong, so you can get on with your work.

    Pay close attention to what you click on in the Iconoid interface and you'll have no trouble at all.

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