Desktop icons resetting position

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I've been running the same install of Windows 7 64 bit for about 2 years now without a problem.

As of Monday all desktop icons refuse to stay put. I can place them where I want but after a reboot (or right click and refresh) they all end up on the left of the screen and 3 sizes larger that I had them set at.

I've checked most of what I can find on this forum (auto arrange settings, align to grid setting, various registry changes none of which existed in my registry).

Anyway, as you can imagine, it is really annoying. Especially if you're like me and have 50 icons on the desktop. Just though I'd start my own thread so I can work through the potential solutions. Thanks for any help.

I hope it's ok to post an external link here. I found this on another forum...
Use midiox desktop restore...
Get both the GUI version and the command-line version. Then sort the desktop and save the layout, with a custom name, using the GUI version. Then create a new shortcut in the desktop. Fill the destination with the fully qualified name (drive:\path\name.exe /parameter) of the command-line version and set it to restore the custom named layout you created in the previous step. Set the shortcut to run minimized. Then move the shortcut to the startup folder in the start menu. I've never found one single system where midiox's files don't work, up to now. And it's freeware!

Thanks for the help. I'll check this out but to be honest I'd rather find out what the problem is. How could this just start happening on a perfectly functioning 2 year old installation? Is it a virus or just some simple glitch? MSE shows no bugs onboard.

sl2222 said:

Fill the destination with the fully qualified name (drive:\path\name.exe /parameter) of the command-line version and set it to restore the custom named layout you created in the previous step. Set the shortcut to run minimized. Then move the shortcut to the startup folder in the start menu.!

Sorry, but could you clarify a couple of things?

I set the file path (C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Issues\DesktopCmd64.exe) but I'm not sure what to put for the " /parameter" bit you mentioned.

I also am not sure how to do this: "set it to restore the custom named layout you created in the previous step". I tried opening the .exe but it just flashes and disappears. Thanks for any help.:)

There is an rtf file included with the zip file for the command line version. That will show u how it is used.

Kolardins said:

sl2222 said:

Fill the destination with the fully qualified name (drive:\path\name.exe /parameter) of the command-line version and set it to restore the custom named layout you created in the previous step. Set the shortcut to run minimized. Then move the shortcut to the startup folder in the start menu.!

Sorry, but could you clarify a couple of things?

I set the file path (C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Issues\DesktopCmd64.exe) but I'm not sure what to put for the " /parameter" bit you mentioned.

I also am not sure how to do this: "set it to restore the custom named layout you created in the previous step". I tried opening the .exe but it just flashes and disappears. Thanks for any help.:)

Here's an easier one to use. No command line stuff. it has auto restore after start, resume etc.
It's called desksave.
DeskSave - Save and restore the positions of the icons on your desktop
try this one I think it'll be perfect for u.

Kolardins said:

...after a reboot (or right click and refresh) they all end up on the left of the screen and 3 sizes larger that I had them set at...

Were the video drivers updated recently?

Any new desktop shortcuts - like to a server share?

Try this:
Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

sl2222 said:

Here's an easier one to use. No command line stuff. it has auto restore after start, resume etc.
It's called desksave.
DeskSave -* Save and restore the positions of the icons on your desktop
try this one I think it'll be perfect for u.

Will check it out. Thanks. The other method was a little bit beyond me. And it doesn't seem to remember the icon size, just the position so it get's messed up again anyway.

EDIT: The clean startup did nothing to solve the problem.