Desktop icons resetting position

[Kolardins]

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.

 

[sl2222]

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!

 

[Kolardins]

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.

 

[Kolardins]

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.

 

[sl2222]

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

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.

 

[sl2222]

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.

 

[UsernameIssues]

...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:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

 

[Kolardins]

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.

 

[Kolardins]

...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:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

Nothing like that on the desktop and no I haven't updated the video drivers. I'll check into the clean start though. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Kolardins]

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

 

[Kolardins]

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.

Unfortunately this one doesn't remember icon size either. Apart from that it's great.

 

[sl2222]

Try changing the number in this registry key...
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics\Shell Icon Size

If that doesn't work then I'd try a 'dirty' way to fix it and that would be a macro program that u set up and create a macro that changes the size of the icons from whatever size windows always starts with to the size u want. Just put the macro in your startup folder.

Unfortunately this one doesn't remember icon size either. Apart from that it's great.

 

[Solarstarshines]

It sounds like this is what you want to do here

Change the size then go back to the icon set then right click lock it up

Or just use this and make them all disappear with a right click

fences downloads - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com called Fences it is a Icon tool
A friend on here gave this to me to make my whole walpaper shine it takes away all the icons and leave you with a screen like this

Probally make life easier if you try the program it is free good luck

 

[arizonajack]

I had the same thing happen a couple of weeks ago on my old Vista computer. Have no idea why. Ended up using desktopok to save the icon positions and restore them with a click. You can download it from CNEt.

 

[nayoula]

This is my simple solution, found after a year of trying suggestions from various forums:

- Go to c:\Users\[account]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\UsrClass.dat
- Move the UsrClass.dat to a backup folder (I used "My Documents")
- arrange your icons, restart and let the system create a new file

thanks to hypercube HTML Code:
Windows 7 Help Forums - View Profile: hypercube
for original suggestion. I screwed up his instructions and found the above solution