Lock icons on screen - Windows 10 Pro

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by Walter Durling, Jan 2, 2017.

  1. Walter Durling

    Walter Durling MDL Novice

    Jan 2, 2017
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    I have been experiencing problems with the icons I placed on my computer screen. Almost daily their placement is changed. If I use Advanced System Care, they are moved. After an update from Microsoft they move. A frustrating affair as their placement is convenient to speed up my work and searches. I have tried several solutions, even from Microsoft Support and forums, the problem persists. I would appreciate if effective help can be provided to solve this problems. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. endbase

    endbase MDL Guru

    Aug 12, 2012
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    2 monitors ?
     
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  3. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    #3 kaljukass, Jan 2, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2017
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  4. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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    Normally, if you Right Click, and check the Refresh button in the free Desktop somewhere, AFTER have placed the Icon's as you like, that position is 'fixed'! That works since years for me!!
     
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  5. lobo11

    lobo11 TOMAHAWK CHOP

    Feb 16, 2012
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  6. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    Absolutely correct. So it is and was and have never been any problems.
     
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  7. 2hot6ft2

    2hot6ft2 MDL Novice

    Nov 18, 2016
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    #8 2hot6ft2, Jan 3, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2017
    On the desktop, Right-click go to View on context menu and then deselect Auto arrange icons:cool:

    You may have to check then uncheck it for it to take affect.
     
  8. Walter Durling

    Walter Durling MDL Novice

    Jan 2, 2017
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    Following your instructions, I right click on an empty space of the screen. I get View, Auto Arrange Icons was not clicked. Align Icons to Grid is clicked.
     
  9. Walter Durling

    Walter Durling MDL Novice

    Jan 2, 2017
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    I just rearranged the icons on the screen and will follow your instructions and will let you know tomorrow. Thanks a lot for your kind attention.
     
  10. Walter Durling

    Walter Durling MDL Novice

    Jan 2, 2017
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    No. I am using one monitor (Dell ST2410).
     
  11. Walter Durling

    Walter Durling MDL Novice

    Jan 2, 2017
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    "Align icons to grid" was selected automatically when Windows 10 Pro was installed. I have not made a clean installl since I am receiving, periodically, upgrades from Microsoft. You suggest that I should click on "Auto arrange icons" but, I am afraid Windows 10 would be re-arranging the icons every time I shut down and start the program. Another member suggest that I Right Click and check the Refresh button. I have re-arrange all my icons and will see what happens tomorrow when I start the computer. Will let you know.
     
  12. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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  13. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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  14. 2hot6ft2

    2hot6ft2 MDL Novice

    Nov 18, 2016
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    My Laptop was auto-arranging the icons on the desktop after a fresh install. I went to "Right click > View" and Auto Arrange Icons was NOT selected yet it was doing it anyway so selecting it made no difference. But deselecting it afterwards had the desired affect and it no longer moved the icons from where I placed them when I moved them other than evenly spacing them from each other.

    That is why I said select then deselect it.

    Just to be clear since your talking about 2 setting in the same paragraph.

    "Auto Arrange Icons" sorts the icons according to how folders view is set typically folders first AND alphabetically.

    "Align icons to grid" keeps them evenly spaced. If you don't mind your icons being stacked or if you want to put them closer together then you can deselect that option.
     
  15. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    You can try to change the registry directly. Sometimes it happens so that Windows does not change the data in the registery, but manually is possible.
    Open this registry key

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop

    and see if there are such values:
    FFlags Hexadecimal should be 40200224 (0x40200224) or Decimal 1075839524 (Important, means Auto Arrange is disabled)
    GroupByDirection - 1 (Hexadecimal and Decimal) You see 0x00000001
    GroupByKey:FMTID - {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
    GroupByKey:pID - 0 (Hexadecimal and Decimal) You see 0x00000000

    Others are not important in this case.
     
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  16. Walter Durling

    Walter Durling MDL Novice

    Jan 2, 2017
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    Dear Kljukass, I tried Pisthai and yours recommendation. I arranged the icons according to my needs. Closed the computer and when I opened it today, some icons have changed their placement. Very frustrating! I noticed it happening when Lotus Smartcenter installed. I have been using Lotus Smartcenter for years. There are no upgrades available. I may have to uninstall it. A pitty since I do not have a program that would replace it.
     
  17. Walter Durling

    Walter Durling MDL Novice

    Jan 2, 2017
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    Dear Pisthai, I tried Kljukass and yours recommendation. I arranged the icons according to my needs. Closed the computer and when I opened it today, some icons have changed their placement. Very frustrating! I noticed it happening when Lotus Smartcenter installed. I have been using Lotus Smartcenter for years. There are no upgrades available. I may have to uninstall it. A pitty since I do not have a program that would replace it.
     
  18. lobo11

    lobo11 TOMAHAWK CHOP

    Feb 16, 2012
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  19. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    If so, then this means that Windows does not save the changes correctly or does not save at all. Typically there is no easy method of treatment. Enough only one thing, and you know it.If also this does not work, look for error in your computer not in Windows.
     
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