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
    2017-03-31T13:23:24+00:00

    I just wanted to add, that the items marked as Answers to this thread do NOT solve the issue. 

    Can we have a checkbox somewhere that says "I'm serious, don't screw with the icon positions no matter how much the programmer thinks it's a good idea?"

    Lively Consulting

    Here Here!!    Every morning my dual monitors move taskbar back to the primary monitor and move all the icons to the primary.   Every morning I drag them back to where I want them.  It is frustrating to say the least.  Why the **** does Microsoft think I don't know how I want my icons arranged?

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  2. 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.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-14T01:08:31+00:00

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

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