Windows 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboot

Anonymous

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?

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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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45 additional answers

Anonymous

2012-08-19T16:53:12+00:00

Click start and type show or hide & hit enter**....ONLY** correct the check box that says **"Allow themes to change desktop icons"**click OK and restart your computer.
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Anonymous

2012-08-19T17:05:06+00:00

I tired that. Didn't work.
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Anonymous

2012-08-21T06:04:55+00:00

I have been having the same icon problems as the original poster for a few days following a video driver update for my AMD Radeon 5700 Series Graphics Card in a Dell XPS 9100 Desktop. I have removed the new video driver and went back to the original Microsoft Driver, but the problem still exists. I have scanned my computer for viruses and other malware and my system is clean according to NIS 2012. None of the solutions listed above work for me.

As was already noted, the only way to solve these desktop icon problems, which is hardly ideal, is to create a new user account and transfer all your settings over. I do not have the problem with any new account that is created. It seems to me that someone at Microsoft should be able to offer a simple registry fix to solve this problem without me having to create a new user account and transfer over all my settings over, which will take too much time.

Thanks, Doug ...
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