Desktop icon shuffle

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  1. Posts : 12
    win 7 ultimate 32 bit
       #1

    Desktop icon shuffle


    I like to organize my desktop icons so that I don't have to search for them. ( I have a lesser known type of ADD that makes it hard to focus.)
    Every time windows updates installs new updates my icons are scattered all over the place and I have to spend time re-organizing them. Is there a way I can lock my desktop?
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  2. Posts : 2,774
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #2

    There is one less than perfect workaround. Create a folder on the desktop, move almost all icons into that folder, let it auto-osrt by Name for you. Leave only a few icons on your desktop, the ones you use every single day. That folder will not be affected by Windows Updates dancing your desktop. while that folder may have to be placed back where you want it, at least only one icon has to be moved -- the icons within that desktop folder will remain just as they were, in alpha-order.
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  3. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #3

    Even simpler is to arrange your icons where you want them, right click on a blank space on the desktop, then click on Refresh. It's been working for me for years.

    I also have ADHD and I also have problems focusing (amongst other delightful little quirks). Pretty much every person with ADHD has their own, unique collection of symptoms.
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  4. Posts : 5,092
    Windows 7 32 bit
       #4

    I use the technique suggested by RolandJS. One thing I forgot for many years was that Windows will search the desktop and folders for icon labels if you just start typing. I used to hunt through the icons trying to recognize the pictures but if I know what I labelled it, such as EditPad or whatnot, I just start typing "edit" and the icon or line if it is in details view in a folder, is selected. Then just hit Enter.

    Also there are icon position save/restore freewares out there. I even wrote one myself a long time ago( It hooked into Explorer context menu so it only worked on a 32 bit OS. It wasn't worth all the work it would require to implement it on 64 bit machines.) But they are around on the freeware sites. They are a mixed bag because most(including mine) would not work correctly if Auto Arrange was enabled. (I tried programmatically saving the state of Auto Arrange, then setting it to disabled before positioning the icons, then restoring the state. Of course that did not work. That would have been too easy.)


    The fewer icons on the desktop the better though is my feeling. Just simpler.
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  5. Posts : 12
    win 7 ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    icon shuffle


    Wow, 3 excellent answers in the same day. I don't think I have ever gotten ONE on the same day. I think I might be able to use all 3.
    A heartfelt thank you to all of you. unktim
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  6. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #6

    Right click on desktop.
    Sort by:
    Your choice.
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  7. Posts : 59
    W 7 Home Premium
       #7

    Mine also move occasionally and I do not know how to lock them in place. I only have 4 icons/folders on my desktop, so it is not a problem for me. I like a clean desktop so I put icons in folders such as tools, games etc. in my personal folder. I right click on the task bar, then new toolbar and follow the path to those 2 folders. It puts them on the task bar and works like the old quick launch we used to have. They are more convenient than using the start menu. My PC is a W 7.

    To move them in the first place, I have to right click on the desktop, then view and remove the check mark from "a line icons to grid".
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  8. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #8

    Emmar said:
    Mine also move occasionally and I do not know how to lock them in place. I only have 4 icons/folders on my desktop, so it is not a problem for me. I like a clean desktop so I put icons in folders such as tools, games etc. in my personal folder. I right click on the task bar, then new toolbar and follow the path to those 2 folders. It puts them on the task bar and works like the old quick launch we used to have. They are more convenient than using the start menu. My PC is a W 7.

    To move them in the first place, I have to right click on the desktop, then view and remove the check mark from "a line icons to grid".
    We still have the Quick Launch Menu. It just as to be enabled first. Brink wrote a brilliant tutorial on how to enable it. Here is mine. I even have shortcuts to my drives, Computer, Windows Updates, and Control Panel in there. Pretty much one stop shopping.

    Desktop icon shuffle-quicklaunch.jpg

    I don't know why everyone is making this so complicated. All one has to do, once one drags the icons to where one wants them, is right click on an empty spot on the desktop and click on Refresh. No need for extra folders, tool bars, special software, stone tablets, etc. It's shouldn't be necessary to uncheck Align Icons to Grid (I didn't; keeping it checked makes keeping the spacing between them uniform). This is a shot of my primary monitor screen. Note that I have a group of icons near the lower right of the screen in addition to the ones on the left side of the screen as well as a couple I have hanging out by themselves so I'm more likely to notice them.

    Desktop icon shuffle-monitor-1.jpg

    Once I click Refresh, everything stays put.
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  9. Posts : 59
    W 7 Home Premium
       #9

    I knew there was one, but when I did that it was very tiny and not easy to use. Someone suggested using the folders, that was much easier. Sometimes on my laptop they disappear and I have to put them back on. I really like using them, especially the tools.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Desktop icon shuffle-folder-quick-launch.jpg  
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  10. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #10

    Emmar said:
    I knew there was one, but when I did that it was very tiny and not easy to use. Someone suggested using the folders, that was much easier. Sometimes on my laptop they disappear and I have to put them back on. I really like using them, especially the tools.
    Everyone has their own preferences and/or processes. Use what works best for you. :)
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