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
    2016-05-31T21:04:13+00:00

    that kept happening to me.very annoying... after a while i figure out that every time i was taking out the hdmi cable from the monitor, which by the way is an LG 4k tv, the rearrange was happening... if i didnt take the cable out my desktop was the same for ever.now i have an hdmi hub and i have the same issue.

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  2. 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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  3. 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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