I have setup my desktop background with lots of shortcuts to folders or programs on it.
Unfortunately it happens occasionally that I accidentally move these icons to other positions of even delete them.
How can I prevent moving and deletion of all the current icons?
No, I don't want to save the icon positions and restore them if necessary.
I want to fix and lock them. fullstop.
Is this possible?
Hi, this question has been so very often asked-many such threads on tenforums. You will know many people have struggled with this and found no completely satisfactory answer.
I assume you've done this:
See too e.g.right-click an empty part of the desktop and select View > Auto arrange icons on Windows 11 or View > Auto organize icons on Windows 10. This will lock the desktop items in place, and no one will be able to move them. When you want to unlock the icons, just uncheck the above option
How to Lock Your Desktop Icons on Windows.
You say you don't want to use freeware e.g. Desktop OK to record and restore shortcut positions.
So use Stardock Fences (inexpensive).
And finally - simply DON'T put loads of shortcuts on your desktop. There are far better ways to handle those.
E.g.
- use taskbar toolbars (tutorial available)
- a program like sTabLauncher (freeware)
- folders in a proper start menu like Open Shell (free).
Exactly this does NOT work.
I enabled or disabled "View > Auto organize icons" many times and tried it.
Icons are still moveable and deletable.
However on the mentioned webpage for which you provided a link. a tool "DeskLock" was discussed.
This tool is perfect. Users need not backup and (manually) restore icon positions.
So my question is answered - but not primarily the way you suggested first.
Thank you
Naturally I proposed the built-in Windows approach first (you hadn't stated you'd used it) - why? guess what? Many people asking questions say they didn't want a 3rd party tool.
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