How to stop Win 10 Pro from auto-arranging desktop icons


  1. Posts : 223
    Win 10 Pro 64bit v 21H1 build 19043.1166
       #1

    How to stop Win 10 Pro from auto-arranging desktop icons


    All of a sudden my Win 10 Pro is auto-arranging my desktop icons. I had my icons grouped so I could find what I needed quickly (desktop option VIEW/Auto Arrange Icons and Align Icons to Grid turned off).

    After this happened the first time, I re-arranged those icons only to come back in an hour and find then re-arranged again. This continues to happen.

    Anyone have an idea what's going on?

    Thanks.


    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v.1511 build 10586.318
    AMD FX-8370 8-core 4.0 GHz
    EVGA GTX 970 SSC
    32G DDR3 1600 memory
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
       #2

    A long time ago this happened to me in Windows 7 when I had a virus. I hope you get this figured out.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #3

    Install a Desktop Icon manager, like DesktopOK. Set everything upas you want it then tell DesktopOK to remember it. Then if they get scrambled, one click to restore it. Not a fix but at least it will allow tyou to restore them quickly and easily.

    Next,Use one of these methods to clean out all your Event Viewer logs: How to Clear All Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows

    CONTENTS:

    • Option One: To Clear All Event Viewer Logs using a BAT file
    • Option Two: To Clear All Event Viewer Logs in Command Prompt
    • Option Three: To Clear All Event Viewer Logs in PowerShell
    • Option Four: To Clear Individual Event Viewer Logs in Event Viewer


    Wait for the icons to be scrambled then look at Event Viewer to see if anything was logged that would give you a clue to what happened.

    Edit: Malware is a possibility as Rocky said. Run your AV scans and Malware Bytes Anti-malware scan.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 223
    Win 10 Pro 64bit v 21H1 build 19043.1166
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the replies.

    Will clear the event logs. Running DesktopOK and MalwareBytes. Will return when things calm down.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 223
    Win 10 Pro 64bit v 21H1 build 19043.1166
    Thread Starter
       #5

    MalwareBytes found 106 items and quarantined them. Reconfigured the desktop and ran DesktopOK. Went to dinner. Came back and accessed the PC. Desktop was the same as I left it.

    So it must have been some kind of malware that was the problem. Funny Norton IS didn't catch the malware. Will keep monitoring the desktop and open a new ticket if it happens again and the above steps don't clear the issue.

    Thanks again for all your help!
      My Computer


 

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