Arranging Desktop Icons

[Ginnalee]

I just moved to a new computer using Windows XP from an old computer
using Windows 95. I am assuming that the icons on the Windows XP
desktop cannot be moved to anywhere on the desktop that the user wants,
as could be done in Windows 95.

However, right clicking on the desktop gives some choices as to how to
arrange the icons. At first, I was able to arrange by "name"
successfully (in alphabetical order), but now my icons are not in
alphabetical order and choosing "name" does not arrange them that way.
Is there something that I am missing? Any help will be appreciated.

Virginia

 

[David Candy]

XP is the same as 95. Turn off Autoarrange. Are your files sorted by name in two groups.

 

[Ginnalee]

I just moved to a new computer using Windows XP from an old computer
using Windows 95. I am assuming that the icons on the Windows XP
desktop cannot be moved to anywhere on the desktop that the user wants,
as could be done in Windows 95.

However, right clicking on the desktop gives some choices as to how to
arrange the icons. At first, I was able to arrange by "name"
successfully (in alphabetical order), but now my icons are not in
alphabetical order and choosing "name" does not arrange them that way.
Is there something that I am missing? Any help will be appreciated.

Virginia

I feel really dumb. I found out how to arrange my desktop icons any way
I want. Right click, uncheck Auto Arrange.

Virginia

 

[davidingre]

Re XP's arranging of desktop icons:

My XP Home desktop also shows "repeated columns" of alphabetically
arranged icons... regardless of settings for Autoarrange, etc.

Screenshot attached.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Sharon F]

Re XP's arranging of desktop icons:

My XP Home desktop also shows "repeated columns" of alphabetically
arranged icons... regardless of settings for Autoarrange, etc.

Screenshot attached.

Any suggestions?

I've looked at the picture. Now what is the problem? The two groups of
alphabetizing is normal. One for system shortcuts (namespace items) and
another group for the rest of the items.

You can use Arrange Icons by to sort by name, type, etc.

Are you trying to accomplish customized placing or something else?

PS: That's a boat load of shortcuts. May want to create some folders and
group similar icons (graphic programs, tools, etc). Should cut down in the
amount of time spent trying to find a particular shortcut.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

To add:

1 group of namespace icons
1 group of %allusersprofile%\Desktop shortcuts
and 1 for %userprofile%\desktop shortcuts

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

The Parasite Fight - Quick Fix Protocol:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

------------------------------------------------

Re XP's arranging of desktop icons:

My XP Home desktop also shows "repeated columns" of alphabetically
arranged icons... regardless of settings for Autoarrange, etc.

Screenshot attached.

Any suggestions?

I've looked at the picture. Now what is the problem? The two groups of
alphabetizing is normal. One for system shortcuts (namespace items) and
another group for the rest of the items.

You can use Arrange Icons by to sort by name, type, etc.

Are you trying to accomplish customized placing or something else?

PS: That's a boat load of shortcuts. May want to create some folders and
group similar icons (graphic programs, tools, etc). Should cut down in the
amount of time spent trying to find a particular shortcut.

 

[Sharon F]

To add:

1 group of namespace icons
1 group of %allusersprofile%\Desktop shortcuts
and 1 for %userprofile%\desktop shortcuts

Thanks, Ramesh. Didn't see a third group in the picture but my newsreader
may not have meshed the complete image back together.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

No problem Sharon

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

The Parasite Fight - Quick Fix Protocol:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

------------------------------------------------

To add:

1 group of namespace icons
1 group of %allusersprofile%\Desktop shortcuts
and 1 for %userprofile%\desktop shortcuts

Thanks, Ramesh. Didn't see a third group in the picture but my newsreader
may not have meshed the complete image back together.

 

[John Williams]

Mine are in 2 groups. Why and how do I get them into 1?
XP is the same as 95. Turn off Autoarrange. Are your files sorted by name in
two groups.