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
    2017-04-04T10:52:15+00:00

    I've been tracking this thread for eternity expecting that someone may know a solution or work around.  As of now, I don't see one and I don't ever expect to see one because 1) it isn't possible to stop it with the way that Microsoft Windows' code is written and 2) Microsoft obviously doesn't care about its customers.

    I can say; however, that I know why it affects me so often.  I think a few others have stated this in the past as well.  If you use multiple screens with your laptop, whenever you disconnect from the multiple screens, Microsoft wasn't prepared for what to do with the icon because the desktop area has now changed... so it defaults back to the left side (scrambled and butchered).  

    I've noticed that sometimes (when I return to my home and reconnect to the screens) Microsoft will actually put them back where they were before I left.  By that time, I've already reconfigured them to where I wanted them (after getting to my destination), so upon returning home, it sees the new screen configuration and defaults them back to the left again.  

    It seems to me that there would be simple code to address this, but Microsoft just doesn't care because... well, they are Microsoft... and you are little old you.  It's a "where else are you going to go, sucker?" attitude and it shows a company that just doesn't care about its customers.

    Suck it up cupcakes, we're stuck with it and there's not a darned thing you'll be able to do about it.  :(

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-04T15:03:53+00:00

    Suck it up cupcakes, we're stuck with it and there's not a darned thing you'll be able to do about it.  :(

    Throughout this thread, Iconoid has been identified as a solution -- even on the first page!  I downloaded and installed it, and it works.

    I change monitors connected to my laptop, and it saves the icon layout for each resolution, and when I move to the different monitor setup, iconoid automatically rearranges the positions the way I set them last time I told Iconoid to store the layout "for that resolution"

    It's just amazing that people just complain, rather than try it out.

    You can find it by googling iconoid.  The website is sillysot.com

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-07T02:30:02+00:00

    This didn't help

    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.

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