icons locked on home screen

Geraldine L KELLOGG 0 Reputation points
2026-08-19T02:15:13.37+00:00

How to make icons on the home screen stay where placed?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Desktop
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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-19T02:15:24.23+00:00

    For Windows desktop icons, turn off the settings that automatically reposition them:

    1. Right-click the desktop.
    2. Select View.
    3. Clear Align icons to grid.
    4. Clear Auto arrange icons if it is enabled.
    5. Place the icons where needed.
    6. Right-click the desktop and select Refresh.
    7. Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager if the layout still resets.

    If the issue affects the This PC desktop icon specifically, remove and re-add that icon:

    1. Go to Start > Settings > Personalize > Themes.
    2. Open Desktop icon settings.
    3. Clear This PC, apply the change, then enable This PC again.

    If themes are changing icon placement, disable that behavior:

    1. Go to Settings > Personalize > Themes.
    2. Open Desktop icon settings.
    3. Clear Allow themes to change desktop icons.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Bulldog 4,315 Reputation points
    2026-08-19T02:48:36.4866667+00:00

    There's no native method to guarantee that desktop icons will stay where you put them. The desktop was not designed with that in mind. You may find third-party apps which keep desktop icons in a particular place, but they'll be using their own code.

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  3. Alex-L 12,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-19T10:27:07.67+00:00

    Hi Geraldine L KELLOGG

    If the suggestions above don't help, could you clarify when the icons move?

    • After restarting Windows?
    • After connecting/disconnecting an external monitor?
    • After changes to display resolution or scaling?

    Windows may reposition desktop icons when the display layout, resolution, or monitor configuration changes. If you're using multiple monitors or recently changed display settings, checking whether the issue occurs only after those events may help narrow down the cause.

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