Desktop icon placement

I know that icons for the desktop are stored in the Desktop folder. But where is the placement information stored? Each time I boot the computer the desktop icons are just where I left them.

blockie said:

I know that icons for the desktop are stored in the Desktop folder. But where is the placement information stored? Each time I boot the computer the desktop icons are just where I left them.

1) Open Windows Explorer
2) Navigate to you user folder:

3) Right-click on "Desktop", then select "Properties"
4) Click the "Location" Tab
4) Click "Find Target":

Or, you can just navigate to C:\Users\[YOU_USER_NAME]\Desktop

I thiink you may have misunderstood. I already know where the icons are stored. In Users...William...Desktop. What I would like to know is where is the info that tells each icon where to go on the desktop?

blockie said:

I thiink you may have misunderstood. I already know where the icons are stored. In Users...William...Desktop. What I would like to know is where is the info that tells each icon where to go on the desktop?

I think that information is stored within the shortcut file itself. As for those system icons such as Recycle Bin, Computer, etc, perhaps the registry.

To be honest, I'd like to know myself where and how the position-on-desktop is stored.

Sorry I couldn't have been of more help to you.

debugged said:

blockie said:

...where is the placement information stored?

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop

blockie said:

Each time I boot the computer the desktop icons are just where I left them.

Do you mean you tried to move them, but they go back after reboot? If you right click on desktop and select View, and untick "Align icons to grid" and "Auto arrange icons", you can move them wherever you want and they will stay there.

Each time I boot the computer the desktop icons are just where I left them.

Everything is working fine for him. He just wants to know where the icon position data is stored.

Isn't is stored in desktop.ini? It's a hidden system file.

debugged said:

Do you mean you tried to move them, but they go back after reboot? If you right click on desktop and select View, and untick "Align icons to grid" and "Auto arrange icons", you can move them wherever you want and they will stay there.

that will work for ya but i dont think you can change the location of where any new icons or any items will go to when they are saved to the desktop! you can only move them once saved if ya get me! they will always snap to the other most edge you have picked! the first available space on your desktop. editing this may have to be done in the registry!