Storing Desktop organisation...

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by John Grey, May 31, 2013.

  1. John Grey

    John Grey MDL Junior Member

    Apr 12, 2012
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    I have an absurdly small, but very annoying problem with my Win 7 Ulti 32bit

    On my desktop I store about 40 different folders, files and short-cuts. No matter how often I arrange them, when I start the computer the next time, they are all on the left side of the screen sorted by type, and alphabetically.

    I have spent some time trying to find how to save my desktop organisation, but cannot find anything.

    Any ideas?

    Thank You
     
  2. steven4554

    steven4554 MDL Expert

    Jul 12, 2009
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    You need to untick Auto Arrange when you right click on the desktop, this is what is causing your shortcuts to appear on the left after every restart or installation of a program or game.
     

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  3. John Grey

    John Grey MDL Junior Member

    Apr 12, 2012
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    No, that is not it, that is unticked and has always been....
     
  4. steven4554

    steven4554 MDL Expert

    Jul 12, 2009
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    Okay, is align icons to grid ticked, cause if it is, untick it. I just tested it with both auto and align options unticked, restarted my laptop and the shortcut I placed in the middle of my desktop stayed where I placed it before I rebooted.
     

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  5. John Grey

    John Grey MDL Junior Member

    Apr 12, 2012
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    No.....

    No difference, everything is on the left again.... Auto arrange and Aling is both still unticked
     
  6. steven4554

    steven4554 MDL Expert

    Jul 12, 2009
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    I don't know what to suggest, sorry. It worked for me on my laptop, so something must be ignoring your settings, that's the only thing I can think offo_O
     
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  7. EFA11

    EFA11 Avatar Guru

    Oct 7, 2010
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    #7 EFA11, Jun 1, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2013
    Trying this.

    1) make sure all programs are closed. Preferably try this from a fresh reboot without opening anything except explorer. Possibly even in safe-mode but most likely not necessary.
    2) delete your desktop.ini files (need to show hidden files and folders or browse to C:\Users\All Users\Desktop and C:\Users\"my current User"\Desktop)
    2) Unchecked Align to grid and Auto Arrange. If unchecked, enable them, and then disable them again.
    3) Align your icons where you want them
    4) Right click "REFRESH"
    5) Make sure you get a clean shutdown for reboot, no programs running.
    5) Reboot

    -EDIT-
    Actually, maybe just trying REFRESH by itself after aligning your icons, then reboot. Save you some steps if that works.
     
  8. John Grey

    John Grey MDL Junior Member

    Apr 12, 2012
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    No problem....

    Hey, you cannot do more than try, and I appreciate it. It is not your fault, that my computer acts up..

    Thanks
     
  9. nIxiIe

    nIxiIe MDL Novice

    Jun 1, 2013
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    #9 nIxiIe, Jun 1, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2013
    What about using Stardock Fences freeware, works great at keeping things tidy on the desktop. Although by far the best method for me is Rocketdock freeware, simply add all your folders to that and everything is there at your fingertips all neat and tidy :biggrin:
     
  10. John Grey

    John Grey MDL Junior Member

    Apr 12, 2012
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    Thank you, that did it...

    Thank you, refresh must have worked. After the next reboot the desktop was I had left it.
    I never before used that refresh, because experience has taught me that whatever it is I might mean by a word.... Microsoft usually means something different, and that oftens ends up with me wasting a lot of time getting things back to "normal". So, to me refresh could have meant anything, most probably something like: setting everything, in this the desktoop, back to "default"....

    Thank You, and thanks to all you others who tried to help....
     
  11. EFA11

    EFA11 Avatar Guru

    Oct 7, 2010
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    Yeah, it appears to be an old bug that was never fixed properly. as you adjust the icons, windows doesn't save the layout, and the refresh will save it most of the time.

    Glad it worked, and you're welcome