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
    2016-02-02T23:23:22+00:00

    There's a 3rd & 4th option to the above!

    1. Go with 1 of many Linux Distros
    2. Go with the Apple OS

    Michael B

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-02T18:53:06+00:00

    Yea I notice this myself and use to have an app(lication) that would save the locations! I forgot what the name was. I use to develop S/W for windows and had become very familiar with the ends and out of the registry. I'm not sure if Vista - Windows 10 has the same architecture as ( of the registry ) as pre-Vista which I knew intimately. My point being is the problem exist in Win 10. BTW yes I have auto arrange off as you can see in the second pic.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-08T02:31:42+00:00

    Yeah we all do. Life sucks, buy a f***in' helmet.

    As you have the same crappy Windows we all have you are given 2 options.

    1. Put up with it, or
    2. Take the above advice so you can at least forget about it.

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