Desktop icons keep moving around

I had this issue of desktop icons rearranging themselves in Windows 7 whenever I would restart or reboot and what fixed my problem was the following:

1. Right click on the desktop.
2. Choose "Personalize".
3. On the left hand side of this control pannel, click "Change desktop icons."
4. There was a box that was checked next to "Allow themes to change deskop icons."  When I unchecked this box and restarted my computer, all my desktop icons remained where I had them.  I both shut down my computer completely and restarted my computer and after both times, all my desktop icons remained where they were.

Note: I had changed my original desktop background, so it seems that when this box was checked, Windows 7 would rearrange the icons based on how they thought the icons would best look with whatever desktop background you have.

Hope this helps.

I had the same problem.  It has been like that for weeks ever since I got a new computer and Microsoft 2010 installed.  I found a fix, thus far...I opened my current word document and cut and paste into a new document. (the new 2010 version has a different look and settings)  I had brought my file over from my old computer and it kept shifting like you experienced.  I was able to open, make changes and save and it did not move.  Hoping this fixed the problem...and helps you out.

I don't have an answer for you, but I have a few suggestions to try.

The few times I've seen somewhat similar issues involved a corrupted user profile which was not being properly updated on shut down.   It might be useful to create another user account (assuming you don't already have one) and see if the same problem occurs on the new account.

It might also be worth a (long) shot to see if the same problem occurs in successive safe mode startups.   If not, this might point to either some software conflict or an odd problem with the video driver.

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"Steve Car" wrote in message news:*** Email address is removed for privacy ***...

Another strange problem:

I think I am having the same/similar problem. I have a feeling the I am not the only one but will attempt to be very clear in my post.  Let me fist tell you what I know about my OS.

First, I have brand new (Win 7) on a brand new laptop so no updates should be needed.

Second, I know exactly what the "auto-arrange" and the "align icons" features do and what they are for. These havenothing to do with my issue as I have changed the settings just in case they are affecting me. It is not a "sort" problem either.

Third, it is not a "hidden file" issue either. I have checked an un-check this type of option and as you will read later that my problem happens during the simplest of actions.

Here are the details in the easiest of scenarios as possible:::::

I like to arrange the icons on my desktop wherever I want them. For example, lets say they are either excel or word files. I put all my employment filesbunched together in the upper right hand corner and all graduate class files in the bottom right corner. I can log off/shut down/power up/put to sleep (and alike) as many times as I want (20-30....50) and when I power back up, the icons are exactly where the were before. (again, no align to grid or auto arrange is in effect... it is as some might say, a VERY messy desktop).

ISSUE: I open one of the excel files that is placed in the upper right hand corner of the desktop (example) and make a change to the document (could be as easy as entering a number in one cell), hitting "save" and closing the document. The icon for that document is NO LONGER in the upper right have corner of the desktop and is instead somewhere on the far left of the desktop wherever and however windows decided to place it. It has NO "~" associated as it is NOT a copy or hidden file.

If I open a file from the upper right corner but make no change and do not save, close, the icon STAYS in the upper right corner of the desktop.

It is driving me crazy as I like to know where all my icons are. Similar to a messy desk in an office but the person sitting at the desk knows "exactly where everything is.

I have been using all sorts of windows products for years and years. The only thing different is this is the first time I am am using my version of office 2003 on a newer OS like WIN 7.PLEASE do not say that THIS is the problem unless you areSURE that this might be the problem.

Another strange problem:

I think I am having the same/similar problem. I have a feeling the I am not the only one but will attempt to be very clear in my post.  Let me fist tell you what I know about my OS.

First, I have brand new (Win 7) on a brand new laptop so no updates should be needed. 

Second, I know exactly what the "auto-arrange" and the "align icons" features do and what they are for. These have nothing to do with my issue as I have changed the settings just in case they are affecting me. It is not a "sort" problem either.

Third, it is not a "hidden file" issue either. I have checked an un-check this type of option and as you will read later that my problem happens during the simplest of actions.

Here are the details in the easiest of scenarios as possible:::::

I like to arrange the icons on my desktop wherever I want them. For example, lets say they are either excel or word files. I put all my employment files bunched together in the upper right hand corner and all graduate class files in the bottom right corner. I can log off/shut down/power up/put to sleep (and alike) as many times as I want (20-30....50) and when I power back up, the icons are exactly where the were before. (again, no align to grid or auto arrange is in effect... it is as some might say, a VERY messy desktop).

ISSUE: I open one of the excel files that is placed in the upper right hand corner of the desktop (example) and make a change to the document (could be as easy as entering a number in one cell), hitting "save" and closing the document. The icon for that document is NO LONGER in the upper right have corner of the desktop and is instead somewhere on the far left of the desktop wherever and however windows decided to place it. It has NO "~" associated as it is NOT a copy or hidden file.

If I open a file from the upper right corner but make no change and do not save, close, the icon STAYS in the upper right corner of the desktop. 

It is driving me crazy as I like to know where all my icons are. Similar to a messy desk in an office but the person sitting at the desk knows "exactly where everything is.

I have been using all sorts of windows products for years and years. The only thing different is this is the first time I am am using my version of office 2003 on a newer OS like WIN 7. PLEASE do not say that THIS is the problem unless you are SURE that this might be the problem.