XP desktop icons don't keep their positions

[Dootje]

After an unexpected error (possibly involving the registry; it was witnessed
by another user, so unfortunately no details available) the icons on the
desktop can't remember their positions. At every desktop refresh (e.g. with
<F5>) they jump back to the left side of the screen. How can I get them to
remember their positions? FYI: the Auto-arrange option is off; this is not
the cause of the problem. Any help will be appreciated.

Dootje

 

[Rich Barry]

Dootje, rt click on the Desktop and select Arrange Icons By and make
sure that Align to Grid and Lock Web Items on
Desktop is not checked.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

If Lock Web Items on Desktop is checked...
Items can be moved, but they are moved back after reboot.

Right click Desktop | Arrange Icons By |

Auto Arrange
[[Arrange the icons in columns along the left side of your screen.]]
Align to Grid Snap icons into place as designated by an invisible grid on
your screen. The grid keeps the icons aligned with each other. ]]

Lock Web Items on Desktop
[[Specifies whether Web content windows or items that *you* have placed on
your desktop are locked in place and can’t be moved. Select the check box to
lock Web content in place. Clear the check box if you want to be able to
move Web content.]]


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Dootje]

Wes,

Thanks for spending time on my problem. I followed your hints, but to no
avail (in fact I already tried them myself). Unfortunately, it's not as
simple as changing a few settings, I'm afraid.

My thinking: The whole thing started with an error message. Supposing the
registry keeps track of the desktop icon positions (I don't know if it
does), is there a possibility that those keys were deleted? If so, what are
the keys? I could try to reinsert them manually to recover from this very
annoying problem.

Dootje

If Lock Web Items on Desktop is checked...
Items can be moved, but they are moved back after reboot.

Right click Desktop | Arrange Icons By |

Auto Arrange
[[Arrange the icons in columns along the left side of your screen.]]
Align to Grid Snap icons into place as designated by an invisible grid on
your screen. The grid keeps the icons aligned with each other. ]]

Lock Web Items on Desktop
[[Specifies whether Web content windows or items that *you* have placed on
your desktop are locked in place and can’t be moved. Select the check box
to
lock Web content in place. Clear the check box if you want to be able to
move Web content.]]


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

After an unexpected error (possibly involving the registry; it was
witnessed by another user, so unfortunately no details available) the
icons on the desktop can't remember their positions. At every desktop
refresh (e.g. with <F5>) they jump back to the left side of the screen.
How can I get them to remember their positions? FYI: the Auto-arrange
option is off; this is not the cause of the problem. Any help will be
appreciated.

Dootje

 

[Squire]

Uncheck Auto arrange,
Check Align to grid,
Drag your desktop icons where you want them,

Wes,

Thanks for spending time on my problem. I followed your hints, but to no
avail (in fact I already tried them myself). Unfortunately, it's not as
simple as changing a few settings, I'm afraid.

<Snip>

 

[Edwin]

After an unexpected error (possibly involving the registry; it was
witnessed by another user, so unfortunately no details available) the
icons on the desktop can't remember their positions. At every desktop
refresh (e.g. with <F5>) they jump back to the left side of the screen.
How can I get them to remember their positions? FYI: the Auto-arrange
option is off; this is not the cause of the problem. Any help will be
appreciated.

Dootje

Try this for saving and restoring position of icons:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 188 right side
Add Save and Restore Desktop Layout to Menu