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
    2013-10-24T14:00:43+00:00

    and still has not been fixed in 4 years....

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-11T23:27:14+00:00

    Same question - In Windows 7  Home Premium, Service Pack 1, my icons keep moving around.

    * View - Auto Arrange Icons is NOT checked. 

    * View -> Align Icons to Grid is NOT checked. 

    * I have tried the right-click REFRESH to "lock in place" the icons, but that doesn't help either. 

    Every time I open and Save an Excel 2003 file, it moves. 

    Am running a Dell Inspirion with Intel i3-2120 @ 3.30Ghz.  This issue has been driving me crazy for years!  Thanks in advance!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-16T12:43:28+00:00

    the real answer to this is microsoft sucks gaint balls and you should stop using it.  since you wont stop using it i suggest you stop paying for anything microsoft sells...if you dont mind looking you can find anything they produce for free online...

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