Placement of new icons on the desktop


  1. Posts : 13
    Windows 10
       #1

    Placement of new icons on the desktop


    Hello everyone,

    I have an issue that has been nagging me for years now and through multiple versions of Windows and am hoping someone can help me finally figure it out. I use my desktop as my workspace - in addition to shortcuts it also contains files and folders I am actively working with. Likewise, it is also the default location where files are saved from my browser and where new PDFs are put when I print.

    The problem is that any time a new file/icon is added to the desktop, it is place in the top left, right underneath the "This PC" icon and pushes all the existing icons down a spot. Instead, I'd prefer it to go to the bottom right corner like it seemingly always did in earlier versions of Windows. I've tried different options like turning off auto arrange and playing with the sort by options, but nothing works.

    Seems kind of silly, I know - but it bugs me for some reason! Any ideas?

    Thanks,
    Jason
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, the default behaviour should be that when a new item is saved to the desktop (rather than being dragged to it) it should take the next free space, seeking a space in columns across the screen starting in the left column.

    (Maybe it's different in, say, Arabic Windows (right to left?)!)

    Do you have auto arrange off and align to grid on? (Rt click on blank area of desktop, View)

    The third answer here may be of interest
    New files put in upper left corner on desktop - Microsoft Community

    There are also 3rd party tools that preserve desktop icon positions which you will find mentioned in threads here about desktop icons rearranging.

    If nothing else ...
    Is the behaviour different in
    a. a new user (for test purposes)
    b. in Safe Mode
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 13
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Dalchina - thanks for your response.

    It was set to the opposite: Auto Arrange is on and Align to Grid is off. I swapped them and everything is currently working, but according to posts in that thread, the problem comes back shortly, so I expect it will for me as well. The solution in the thread was to basically sort by date created - that would help with new file position, but it would mess up the order of the existing icons, which isn't good. And, really turning Auto Arrange off isn't ideal either as if I move or delete a file off the desktop it leaves a gap and then I have to manually move other icons around to fill it. So....

    Any other ideas?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Try one of the 3rd party tools mentioned in those threads (one is VERY long). You can easily search the forum e.g.
    desktop arrange icons
    desktop icons rearranging

    (I don't find my desktop icons moving around randomly, nor settings randomly changed, but the first has been a problem for some over several generations of Windows).
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 13
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Roger that - will do. Thanks Dalchina.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:14.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums