Desktop Screen Rearranged and Icons are Scattered Everywhere

abredt · 03 Jul 2022

I am running Windows 10 Version: 21H1. I was using my desktop computer and was working on copying text and images from the internet and pasting them into a Word document.

After I closed everything, this is what my desktop screen looked like:
(Yes, I always have a lot of stuff on my desktop screen.)

Desktop Screen Rearranged and Icons are Scattered Everywhere-image.png

It is divided into 6 sections, separated by white lines on a black background. My regular background is blue.

The Start Menu and Taskbar are OK
I have no idea how it got this way. Restarting brings up the same screen.
Thanks for your help, cb

dalchina · 03 Jul 2022

Hi, considering this grid, which I think you mean wasn't there before:

- Do you have MS Powertoys installed (Fancyzones?)
How to use FancyZones in Microsoft PowerToys - YouTube
- Split Screen?
Split One Large Monitor (4K) into Multiple Smaller Screens - YouTube
- Do you have any programs that can overlay a grid?

Looking at your taskbar, what do the icons with 4 coloured squares represent?

What happens if you perform a clean boot? What do you see as your desktop then?`

What puzzles me is that this grid display seems to overlay what looks perhaps like pages from Settings.
How to Overlay Resizable Grid on Desktop Screen

Ghot · 03 Jul 2022

I also see a Macrium Reflect icon on your desktop (far lower left). If you have a relatively current backup... this might be the time to restore from that backup.

dalchina · 03 Jul 2022

- or try using a System Restore point...

abredt · 03 Jul 2022

I have no idea what is going wrong.
I copied all of my data files to an external USB drive and they all look good.
In System Restore I have restore points from 2 weeks ago that say:
Automatic Restore Point Type = System
System Image Restore Point Type = Backup
Which one would I use? The affected programs are the same for both.
I have never used System Restore on this computer. I don't have MS Powertoys. I don't have a recent Macrium Reflect. The taskbar 4 icons with the colored squares are quick links to websites from dragging the little icons on the left on the address bar to the taskbar.
Thanks, cb

- - - Updated - - -

After I spent 10 hours trying to fix it and getting nowhere, someone suggested changing my wallpaper.
I almost laughed, but it worked and all is well. Next I have to decrease the number of icons on my startup screen.
Thanks for your help.
cb

dalchina · 04 Jul 2022

Lucky. Maybe someone played a trick on you.

Do start a routine of using disk imaging regularly and routinely. Consider- what would you do if your disk failed or was irrecoverably unbootable? Do you have a full backup of everything? Disk imaging (at least of all Windows' partitions helps with both - and more).

There's a tutorial on having a SR point created on a schedule. I use both of those, plus specific data backup on a small amount of important data that changes between images.

It's good to keep your desktop uncrowded- for things you want on it, consider Stardock's Fences to help organise this and stop it moving around.

Steve C · 05 Jul 2022

I use DesktopOK to reset my icon locations which are sometime scrambled for no obvious reason Download DesktopOK - MajorGeeks

dalchina · 05 Jul 2022

For grouping larger numbers of items on the desktop Fences is a much better option- and no need to periodically restore things either. But not free. (under $10 - and sometimes there are special offers, as I found)
Fences: Instantly Organize Your Desktop - YouTube

Ont the other hand I'm not enthusiastic about having lots on a desktop... usually just current things I'm working on