Keep Icons From Moving

**suntower** · 2012-02-03 01:14

Win7 64. Is there a way to 100% FORCE desktop icons from changing position under -any- circumstances?

I keep icons in certain places for a -purpose-. I leave gaps here and there on purpose.

And for whatever reason, if I install a program, or uninstall, or send a new shortcut to the desktop, Windows has no compunction in putting the new icon where -it- wants to (and moving my arrangement around to fit.)

Also, I have 2 monitors and sometimes, after being asleep, Windows -thinks- there's only one screen and moves ALL icons over to one screen.

In short, how do I force Windows to NEVER move my icons?

And... even better... is there a way to make Windows add new icons where -I- want it to (for example, always @ the top right corner)?

TIA,

---JC

**Roderunner** · 2012-02-03 02:44

Hi suntower,

any new desktop shortcut's are auto put on the first available place top left, till you move them. Here's how mine is.

RR.jpg

**Medico** · 2012-02-03 04:29

See if this cure shown by How To Geek might work.

Some people use a 3rd party app. One such is Stardock Fences. I do not use this app so cannot attest to it's efficiency.

**Roderunner** · 2012-02-03 04:43

Ted,

your Geek link is for Vista, and doesn't work on 64bit.

**Medico** · 2012-02-03 06:12

Supposedly it works in Win 7 as well. There is both a 32 Bit zip file and a 64 Bit link at the bottom of the page.

**cthiggin** · 2012-02-03 09:00

Hi folks,
Had a MS tech tell me this couple years ago and it works for me.
Arrange the icons where you want them on your desktop. Log off / Log back on / and they will stay put. Never fails for me. Win 64 HP
cthiggin

**BruceR** · 2012-02-03 10:22

Desktop Restore (at midiox.com) will handle multiple monitors.

Bruce

**Roderunner** · 2012-02-03 19:04

suntower, this will help also.

RR.JPG

**suntower** · 2012-02-08 00:45

Originally Posted by Roderunner

Hi suntower,

any new desktop shortcut's are auto put on the first available place top left

Is there any way to disable this behaviour? Perhaps a fancy trick with Regedit? That alone would help greatly.

**Roderunner** · 2012-02-08 02:44

Only other way is to have new programs use the start menu only without creating shortcuts.

**jwitalka** · 2012-02-08 15:02

You might want to look into Stardock's Fences application. After install, it creates 6 "fences" or categories you can drag your shortcuts to. (you can re name each fence). Double click on a blank area of the desktop and they all disappear giving you a nice clean desktop. Double click the desktop and your shortcuts reappear when you want them.

Jerry

**suntower** · 2012-02-08 20:36

Originally Posted by jwitalka

You might want to look into Stardock's Fences application. After install, it creates 6 "fences" or categories you can drag your shortcuts to. (you can re name each fence). Double click on a blank area of the desktop and they all disappear giving you a nice clean desktop. Double click the desktop and your shortcuts reappear when you want them.
Jerry

Just tried it. Man, this shoulda been in the Windows -core-. WOW. I'm in love. So simple.

Thanks,

---JC

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