Windows 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboot

Anonymous
2012-07-20T18:25:40+00:00

After the latest Windows Update (7/10/12) the desktop icons move to the left side of the screen and change size from Small to Medium. Auto arrange is NOT checked. Only Align to grid is checked. There has been no other software installed since running Windows Update. The video drivers are up to date. I have tried all the recommendations from various forums online ranging from the ridiculous (Refresh) to third party software (Stardock Fences). The only thing that worked was Fences which I shouldn't need to use and even then if you click Refresh the icons try to move to the left side of the screen and do resize anyway. The fact that this all started after the required restart following the most recent Patch Tuesday updates. What the **** did you do this time Microsoft?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2012-07-29T20:27:30+00:00

Hello Aramis the Priest, 

Have you tried to manually uninstall the Windows Updates to see if a particular update is causing the issue?

The Recycle Bin is only on the default drive where the operating system was installed. This is normally the C:\ drive. The $ before RECYCLE means it is a hidden file. 

In Windows Explorer, click the View tab and select "Show  hidden files, folders, and drives" under the sub-menu "Hidden files and folders." Click "Apply" and "OK."

You will now see the RECYCLE. bin.

Let us know if this helps.

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Anonymous
2012-07-21T08:02:01+00:00

Hi,

What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?

**Method 1:**I would suggest you to perform a full system scan just to be safe.

Here is a link that will give you information on how to perform a full system scan:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

Method 2: Un-install and re-install display adapter drivers.

Refer the following steps:

a)     Click on Start, Right click on computer.

b)     Click on properties, click on Device manager

c)     Expand display adapter, Right click on the adapter option

d)     Click on uninstall

e)     Now go to your computer/ device manufacturer website, download the updated drivers and install them.

Method 3: Since it started after Windows update, perform System Restore, i.e. restore the computer to a date when it was working fine.

Step 1: System Restore: frequently asked questions:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/System-Restore-frequently-asked-questions

Note: After System Restore, you will be offered Windows Updates again, install them one by one in clean boot and check if that helps.

Step 2: A clean boot helps to verify if any third party application service or startup item is causing this issue.

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After you have finished diagnosing, follow step 7 in the article to boot to normal startup.

You may also refer:

Updates: frequently asked questions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/updates-frequently-asked-questions

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-01T02:44:50+00:00

    Or MS could program things to be more fault tolerant.. Never had this issue on Linux?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-28T07:17:46+00:00

    That looks like a nice solution last year, lbk, but without having a workshop session and a sacrificial clone disk, I'm reluctant to try it here.

    What I'm wondering is the effect of a name change on all links and pointers to the old data, subtle references to files that we don't always see. I've been struck with the sudden appearance of \Users\Dully.old\Documents folders, etc., thanks to some Windows sense of the peculiar. All shares would change too, I imagine, symbolic links broken... all sorts of stuff.

    The major scary item is Outlook, not only just the .pst files, but all the strange Windows Connector files that make GMail, Livemail, Outlook.com, YahooMail, etc.. work with the program. Thar be dragons, in my estimation.

    The hidden folder branch under AppData looks like a riddle inside a mystery wrapped in an enigma, to me. Copying that seems likely fraught with fearful danger.

    Did you face a few days of reconfiguration after your duplication of your user? Any unexpected consequences that made you regret the migration?

    ...if you're still around. :)

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-08-28T07:03:03+00:00

    Lucky you, wallflower.

    Combofix neglected to fix it for me, here.

    WindowsMetrics Icons setting was a suggestion elsewhere, but no success there, either. :(

    We live in hope....

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