How to lock desktop icons in place?


  1. Posts : 260
    Windows 10 (Home Ed.)
       #1

    How to lock desktop icons in place?


    All I found so far by Googling was that one should set 'arrange icons to a grid', or similar. That option is already enabled. In fact, the only icon I have on my Windows 10 desktop is the Recycle Bin, but any time other icons or folders are placed there temporarily, it is shifted around and is no longer where I want it, in the top left-hand corner, when the other items are deleted after use.

    Is there a way to lock the Recycle Bin icon where I put it, so that it doesn't keep getting pushed around like this?

    Thanks.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 7,905
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #2

    Desktop icons can sometimes shuffle around due to wonderful software QA by Microsoft. I use DesktopOK which stores the position of your desktop icons. I've found it very useful.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,680
    X
       #3

    You can't lock desktop icons. But, as Steve suggests, you can record their positions ... and, if icons get moved, you can restore them to their saved positions.
      My Computer

  4.   My Computer


  5. Posts : 260
    Windows 10 (Home Ed.)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    OK, thanks. I use some such software on my Windows 7 PC (where I keep dozens of icons on a second monitor). Probably not worth it when all I have is the Recycle Bin though. Odd, coming new to Windows 10, that that icon is allowed to move around like that; never encountered the 'problem' (tiny one though it is!) with any previous version of Windows.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #6

    I got fed up with this behaviour back in Windows 7, (or earlier), and so have been using a "trick" to place the Bin on the taskbar, this means that the bin is always in the same place, always available (even if you auto hide the taskbar), and you can choose not to show the icon on the desktop.

    Recycle Bin - Pin to Taskbar - Windows 7 Help Forums this is for windows 7 but works for 8 and 10 too - You can also add other system items to the taskbar, using this method
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 2,916
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #7

    Make sure Auto arrange icons is Unchecked​.

    How to lock desktop icons in place?-image.png
      My Computer


 

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