Windows 11 Desktop icons rearrange and re-sort themselves

Anonymous
2023-07-21T01:09:08+00:00

Lately, my Windows desktop icons have periodically and at random rearranged and re-sorted themselves.

It looks like at arbitrary times, This PC and the Recycle Bin, which are traditionally at the top left hand corner of the desktop now shift downwards. The icons re-sort themselves into alphabetical name order. It usually happens after a boot or reboot.

I also have icons spread out randomly over a two-screen desktop. At an arbitrary moment, again associated with a reboot, all icons suddenly snap to the left hand side of the left-hand screen.

There are many posts on the web about the "Autoarrange Icons" and "Align Icons" settings. Changing those settings do not resolve this problem.

This may have something with the ""Sort By" setting. If that is it, the setting does not stay that way for long.

I don't know if this is a new bug that has appeared in a recent build. I use Windows 11 Home, and the current Version is 22H2, and the Build is 22621.1992.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

62 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-02T00:50:24+00:00

    Just booted up, saw my icons are scattered from how I set them up, checked the above Settings/Personalization/Themes/Desktop icon settings and the box is unchecked.

    This is not the solution!

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-06-03T15:17:00+00:00

    Derrick,

    Why isn't there a quick fix for something like rearranging problem? Isn't this supposed to be one of the easiest fix you should already have for everyone who is having this stupid issue? I mean come on! Why is this supposed to be so complicated to fix this 1 basic function that we all shouldn't have problem with in the first place?

    This is ridiculous!

    Was this answer helpful?

    10 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-18T15:21:37+00:00

    If all fails, you can download the ReICon v2.0 {Restore Desktop Icon Layout} by Sordum which can save your icon arrangement to its saved state thus avoiding the time resetting things up again. It is still a pain in the butt, but it will save you some time. Steve

    Was this answer helpful?

    9 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-06-16T14:44:01+00:00

    Even AI can't resolve this problem. This is because machines can't do nothing against human stupidity. Windows 11 is as terrible as years ago Windows 10 was. I'm glad I could upgrade for free but I'm thinking to go back to 10 until they fix all the bugs AND the terrible layout. Microsoft LISTEN what users are saying!

    Was this answer helpful?

    8 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-10-19T14:48:05+00:00

    Already tried that, it was the first thing I tried.

    That seems to be not only the primary solution everywhere on Google, but apparently the only known solution.

    Thank you anyway.

    Was this answer helpful?

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments