Solved Saving Files Below Each Other on Windows 7's Desktop

[Rynn21]

Unlike with XP, half of the time I save files onto my desktop the files save between my default icons (Computer, Recycle Bin, etc.) and mess up my icon layout. I want them to always save at the bottom of my default icons

 

[TwoCables]

I'm not sure about this, but I think this might be done by disabling "Auto arrange icons". So right-click the desktop and navigate to View and deselect "Auto arrange icons".

 

[Rynn21]

That only unsticks the icons, allowing the icons to be placed anywhere on the desktop. It's the same with XP. Unfortunately, that isn't what I was looking for.

 

[TwoCables]

That only unsticks the icons, allowing the icons to be placed anywhere on the desktop. It's the same with XP. Unfortunately, that isn't what I was looking for.

Oh, wait. Maybe try Sort by > Date modified.

 

[Rynn21]

Ok I managed to figure it out. I disabled sort/auto-arrange by right-clicking on the desktop. Still getting used to Win7.

 

[TwoCables]

So does this mean that disabling Auto Arrange makes it behave the way you want? Or did you also have to make it sort by Date Modified?

 

[Rynn21]

Just what I did worked, disabling auto-arrange.

 

[TwoCables]

Oh good!

 

[Rynn21]

"I'm surpised that this thread has not had more traffic. I have this issue on multiple Windows 7 machines. When I save or move something to my desktop it invariably saves it at the top left of the screen, rather than under the other desktop icons, as it has done on every other version of Windows I've used over the past 20 years. Auto arrange and Align to grid both selected, but no sort options. Really irritating! None of the solutions that I've seen suggested work: maybe MS regard it as normal behavior rather than a bug, but it's certainly a regression to me."
Does ANYONE know of a hack, work-around, etc. to fix this problem? I need a professional who has fixed this issue to solve this for me. My previous work-around didn't do much to fix this problem. Others are annoyed with the problem too. From what I can see is Win7 likes to organize files automatically by file type and name. For me, that's just irritating, because it places newly saved files in between my Computer, Documents, etc. rather than at the bottom of that icon list.

 

[TwoCables]

Choose "Sort by > Date modified".

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't sort any thing. All I do is select View choose the icon size and show desktop. Then right click desktop again and select refresh. I put my icons where I want them and they stay there.
Now when you apply a new icon through right clicking a program and (create a desktop short cut) it will be applied in the same location on the desktop. Then you will have to move it where you want it and then select Refresh again.
Their is nothing to be fixed. That is the way it works on both of my Windows 7 computers.



Thats where I want them and that is where they stay.

 

[TwoCables]

I don't sort any thing. All I do is select View choose the icon size and show desktop. Then right click desktop again and select refresh. I put my icons where I want them and they stay there.
Now when you apply a new icon through right clicking a program and (create a desktop short cut) it will be applied in the same location on the desktop. Then you will have to move it where you want it and then select Refresh again.
Their is nothing to be fixed. That is the way it works on both of my Windows 7 computers.

View attachment 273670

Thats where I want them and that is where they stay.

But the problem comes when he's saving something to the desktop from within a program.

 

[Layback Bear]

Create a New Folder on the Desktop. Put what ever you are saving from a program and put in a the New Folder.
Maybe I don't understand the problem.

 

[tommyg562000]

Fences by stardock might be more feasible

 

[TwoCables]

Create a New Folder on the Desktop. Put what ever you are saving from a program and put in a the New Folder.
Maybe I don't understand the problem.

This is the problem:

When saving a file to the desktop from a program or from a web browser, it seems to be placed anywhere at random among the files that are already there. The desired behavior is for it to end up after the last icon.

 

[Layback Bear]

Thanks TwoCables I think I understand now. Mine always go to the lower left corner of my desktop and then I move them. It's handy that way because I don't have to search for them. I will have to think a little more.

 

[Layback Bear]

Rynn21 would you by chance have a 3rd party desktop or icon program installed?
If not try doing this and see Windows 7 files are Okay.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[Rynn21]

Trust me, as an IT technician, I don't have issues with my computer. It's more of a trivial annoyance that is my problem.
tommyg562000 has the best advice from what I've read. I had hoped there was an internal workaround, but oh well. I know of several people who prefer to manually place icons in various places on their desktop, but I don't. Even though Fences costs, at least it fixes my icon/desktop issue and was an option, which Microsoft never bothered to carry over from XP to Win7. Thanks.

 

[TwoCables]

I don't have fences, yet everything I save to the desktop from any program (including Firefox) goes right after the last file. I have auto arrange enabled, align to grid enabled, and my desktop is sorted by name. Yet, even a document beginning with the letter 'a' shows up after the last file.

I've never done anything to make it do that; it has always done it.

 

[Rynn21]

I too had the exact same things enabled and it didn't react that way. Guess you're just lucky. The same issue has happened for many people. Fences was the best solution for me. I love it. Thanks again tommyg562000.