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

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
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

40+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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...

Was this answer helpful?

9 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

162 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-14T02:17:17+00:00

    Did you ever try turning on grid, putting them where you want, then turning grid off?

    I have not tried this. As I am still having the issue, I have just gone and unchecked the option Align to Grid. Let's see what happens! If it works, I will report back here for the benefit of others. Thanks.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-14T01:08:31+00:00

    Did you ever try turning on grid, putting them where you want, then turning grid off?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-22T18:43:02+00:00

    I have a high resolution monitor.  If The monitor is on before Windows boots, the icons are ok.  If the monitor is switched on after Windows has started, the icons are rearranged.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments