How to change Default Position for new Desktop Icons?

Hello, question is the topic title. Google couldnt help me.

Reason for the question: I have two monitors, and on my second monitor I have all my icons/shortcuts/folders. When I download or save a file to the desktop it automatically is on my primary monitor at the top left position. :/

I hope you can help me. Thanks!

Welcome gorgos,


Do you have Align Icons Un-Checked ?

Yes, I have.

I usually do not download anything directly to my desktop. I have several folders on the HD for all downloads.

Ok, but it is also when I install a program (which happens pretty often) and the program adds a shortcut to my desktop.

Yes, I have to agree with you. When I install a new prog with a short cut, it usually puts it on the left hand side. Then I can move it where I want it, if I don't have Align to grid checked.

So, is there a registry key, an .ini file, a tool or anything that can add new icons automatically to my second monitor?

previously with XP, if i switched the connectors on my monitors, then switched the primary and secondary monitors in the display set-up, all files sent to the desktop would go to the empty, secondary monitor's desktop. while i still had the start menu on the primary. it was very useful because of all the files that i change formats and then quickly send in emails without the need for long term storage.

it doesn't seem like this "trick" works in windows 7 however and my primary monitor is cluttered with files that are not very important, intermingled with files that are more permanent and more often used.

any way to set which "desktop", or monitor, the files saved to the desktop go?

this is how i would like my files to end up. i frame frequently used folders and files around my email. previously with XP the "saved to desktop" files would default to the display on the RIGHT.

http://i30.tinypic.com/5fhf04.jpg

this is an example of my desktop from a few days ago. i'm having alternate issues... you can see that my saved files are will-nilly interspersed with my go-to files and folders. i do not like this. it makes me rage.

http://i28.tinypic.com/16otx0.jpg

anyone know how to make it so i don't rage?

Ben

There is a default "downloads" folder... use that?

Stick your permanent desktop icons somewhere OTHER than the left side of the screen so that all new icons are clearly visible and not intermingled?

Otherwise, sorry, no

If I understand the question correctly. Do as posted above by DocBrown and un-check those auto or align things. Then just drag and drop, put them where you want them.

The problem is that when you DL something and save it to the desktop it automatically places it in the first free space starting with the upper left corner of the primary desktop and works it's way down and to the right till it finds and open spot. I has to put it somewhere, and that's the procedure for doing it, auto arrange is already off it looks like.

The OP wants to have the new DLed icon show up on the secondary monitor instead which he found an interesting trick (exploited a bug actually) in XP to accomplish this. The bug seems like it was fixed in W7 so I seriously doubt there is a way to control that any more. So a change in the OPs DL or manual desktop icon arrangement behavior is probably the only likely fix...

Fences-
Stardock.com - Your Edge In Software

The Pro version (probably worth the $10 if it annoys you that much) has the following:

"Set default Fences for new icons
Fences Pro allows you to set a default Fence for all newly created icons. For example, you can create a Fence called "New Stuff" to catch all new icons, and then deal with them when you're ready."