Files saved to desktop not appearing on the desktop

[Poster Matt]

An odd one here...

Files that I save to my desktop are not appearing on the desktop. They are
listed in the desktop folder listings of file managers and in open file
dialog listings, but the files are not being displayed on the actual desktop
itself.

A web search revealed several possible reasons, multiple monitor settings (I
have just the one and have checked that any multiple monitor setting is
off). I've checked the desktop folder properties and that is normal
(basically I have a 'show me everything' attitude: don't hide extensions,
show me hidden, system, etc.).

What's odd is that if I drag the 'page icon' from Firefox to my desktop then
I still get the shortcut to that page appearing on my desktop, but if I save
a PDF from Firefox to my desktop the file does not appear, even though I can
access the file from a file manager. Likewise if I save, say a text file
from Notepad, the file saves correctly, appears in file manager listings,
but does not get shown on the actual desktop itself.

Finally - these is a lot of room on my desktop, say 75% of potential
'display icons area' available.

Any ideas - this is really annoying?

Thanks.

 

[Poster Matt]

PS. I just tried something that may be of interest.

I saved a PDF to my desktop from a web page. It did not appear on the desktop.

I used a file manager to move the PDF to a totally unrelated folder.

Then I physically dragged the PDF to the desktop to move it there and now
the file is shown on the desktop!!

 

[Richard]

An odd one here...

Files that I save to my desktop are not appearing on the desktop. They are
listed in the desktop folder listings of file managers and in open file
dialog listings, but the files are not being displayed on the actual
desktop itself.

A web search revealed several possible reasons, multiple monitor settings
(I have just the one and have checked that any multiple monitor setting is
off). I've checked the desktop folder properties and that is normal
(basically I have a 'show me everything' attitude: don't hide extensions,
show me hidden, system, etc.).

What's odd is that if I drag the 'page icon' from Firefox to my desktop
then I still get the shortcut to that page appearing on my desktop, but if
I save a PDF from Firefox to my desktop the file does not appear, even
though I can access the file from a file manager. Likewise if I save, say
a text file from Notepad, the file saves correctly, appears in file
manager listings, but does not get shown on the actual desktop itself.

Finally - these is a lot of room on my desktop, say 75% of potential
'display icons area' available.

Any ideas - this is really annoying?

Thanks.

From your 2nd message:

PS. I just tried something that may be of interest.

I saved a PDF to my desktop from a web page. It did not appear on the
desktop.

I used a file manager to move the PDF to a totally unrelated folder.

Then I physically dragged the PDF to the desktop to move it there and now
the file is shown on the desktop!!

Hi "Poster Matt",

Did that PDF file appear back in the desktop folder after dragging?

Which user account "Desktop" are you saving the files to?

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\<YourAdminUserName>\Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\<YourNonAdminUserName>\Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\<OtherUsersNames>\Desktop

Right click Desktop,
Point to "Arrange Icons By", in the panel that appears,
Is there a checkmark before Auto Arrange?
Is there a checkmark before Align to Grid
Is there a checkmark before Show Desktop Icons?
If all 3 checkmarks, press your F5 key to refresh the desktop. Anything?

Right click desktop, click Properties, click Settings tab.
Click "Identify" button. Did a large numeral 1 appear briefly?

Have you looked in your Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder?

Active Desktop? Remote Desktop? Secure Desktop? Desktop theme?
Separate Process for the Desktop and Explorer?

What Registry Cleaner(s) do you use for maintenance?

Any 3rd party toolbars on your Desktop?

Did you try changing your screen size larger or smaller?

Have you restarted your computer since the problem appeared?

What anti-virus software and version? Anti-spyware?

What Windows XP Edition, Version, and Service Pack level?

Is the computer completely patched at Windows Update?

Desktop or Laptop computer?

HTH. (Hope This Helps.
--Richard