eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity By using this site you agree to the use of cookies for analytics, personalized content and ads. Learn More Hinicrosoft Community = Question Applies to Windows | Windows 7 | Accessibility & ease of access 11987 views Windows 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboot » & Aramis the Priest asked on July 20, 2012 v After the latest Windows Update (7/10/12) the desktop icons move to the left side of the screen and change size from Small to Medium. Auto arrange is NOT checked. Only Align to grid is checked. There has been no other software installed since running Windows Update. The video drivers are up to date. | have tried all the recommendations from various forums online ranging from the ridiculous (Refresh) to third party software (Stardock Fences). The only thing that worked was Fences which | shouldn't need to use and even then if you click Refresh the icons try to move to the left side of the screen and do resize anyway. The fact that this all started after the required restart following the most recent Patch Tuesday updates. What the **** did you do this time Microsoft? All for one and One for alll 11 people had this question MeToo Reply wee ¥v Answer hitpsanswers, microsoft corver-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and.changing@60e4b80-e0e8-48e=-623,.. 1/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity ws Waseemulla Shariff replied on July 21, 2012 v What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far? Method 1: | would suggest you to perform a full system scan just to be safe. Here is a link that will give you information on how to perform a full system scan http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss. Method 2: Un-install and re-install display adapter drivers. Refer the following steps: a) Click on Start, Right click on computer. ) Click on properties, click on Device manager ) Expand display adapter, Right click on the adapter option ) Click on uninstall e) Now go to your computer/ device manufacturer website, download the updated drivers and install them. aos Method 3: Since it started after Windows update, perform System Restore, i.e. restore the computer to a date when it was working fine. Step 1: System Restore: frequently asked questions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/System-Restore-frequently-asked-questions Note: After System Restore, you will be offered Windows Updates again, install them one by one in clean boot and check if that helps. Step 2: A clean boot helps to verify if any third party application service or startup item is causing this issue. How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 Note: fter you have finished diagnosing, follow step 7 in the article to boot to normal startup. hitpslanswers, microsoft corver-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and.changing@60e4b80-<0e8-48e=-623,.. 2/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity You may also refer: Updates: frequently asked questions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en- us/windows7/updates-frequently-asked-questions Be the first person to mark this helpful Helpful Reply oo v Answer Marilyn © replied on July 29, 2012 v 2d accomplishments v In reply to Aramis the Priest's post on July 23, 2012 Hello Aramis the Priest, Have you tried to manually uninstall the Windows Updates to see if a particular update is causing the issue? The Recycle Bin is only on the default drive where the operating system was installed. This is normally the C\ drive. The $ before RECYCLE means it is a hidden file. In Windows Explorer, click the View tab and select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives” under the sub-menu "Hidden files and folders.” Click “Apply” and "OK." You will now see the RECYCLE. bin. Let us know if this helps. Be the first person to mark this helpful Helpful Reply wee All replies (41) hitpsaswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and:changing@60a4b80-e0e8-48e=-€23,.. 3/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity Y Answer Waseemulla Shariff replied on July 21, 2012 v Hi, What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far? Method 1: | would suggest you to perform a full system scan just to be safe. Here is a link that will give you information on how to perform a full system scan: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss. Method 2: Un-install and re-install display adapter drivers. Refer the following steps: a) Click on Start, Right click on computer. b) Click on properties, click on Device manager ©) Expand display adapter, Right click on the adapter option d) Click on uninstall e) Now go to your computer/ device manufacturer website, download the updated drivers and install them. Method 3: Since it started after Windows update, perform System Restore, ie. restore the computer to a date when it was working fine. Step 1: System Restore: frequently asked questions; http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/System-Restore-frequently-asked-questions Note: After System Restore, you will be offered Windows Updates again, install them one by one in clean boot and check if that helps. Step 2: A clean boot helps to verify if any third party application service or startup item is causing this issue. How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7: http://supportmicrosoft.com/kb/929135 hitpsanswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and:changing@60e4b80-e0e8-48e=-623,.. 4/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity Note: After you have finished diagnosing, follow step 7 in the article to boot to normal startup. You may also refer: Updates: frequently asked questions: http://windows.microsoft.com/en- us/windows7/updates-frequently-asked-questions Be the first person to mark this helpful “ Helpful Reply oo ae v7 Aramis the Priest replied on July 23, 2012 © In reply to Waseemulla Shariff's post on July 21, 2012 Method 1 produced no results which | already figured would be the case as | had already done a full scan with MalwareBytes. Method 2 also failed to solve the problem. Method 3 (System Restore) can't be used as there are only two restore points available - 7/22/12 & 7/23/12 - both of which are after the updates were installed. So none of your suggestions solved the problem. I've also noticed that along with the desktop icons issue, Windows Explorer no longer functions as it did. Now, no matter what it ALWAYS goes to the Details display. If the view was changed to List and you open a folder in that view and then click the Back arrow it reverts back to Details view. This never happened before either. It appears that the latest Windows Update altered the behavior of both the desktop icons and Windows Explorer. | also discovered an inconsistency regarding the Recycle Bin. On some drives itis listed as $RECYCLE.BIN and on others as Recycle Bin. At first | thought it was something to do with internal versus external drives but one of my external drives has it as $RECYCLE.BIN whereas the other two external drives have it as Recycle Bin. What's even worse is that in the beta testing of Windows 7 this same issue existed from what | have read in various forums online. That would suggest that something in the latest update code undid whatever had fixed the problem at that time. All for one and One for al 1 person found this helpful Helpful Reply wee hitpsaswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and.-changing@60e4b80-e0e8-48e=-623,.. 5/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity ¥ Answer Marilyn O replied on July 29, 2012 v 2d Accomplishments v 5 in reply to Aramis the Priest's post on July 23, 2012 Hello Aramis the Priest, Have you tried to manually uninstall the Windows Updates to see if a particular update is causing the issue? The Recycle Bin is only on the default drive where the operating system was installed. This is normally the C:\ drive. The $ before RECYCLE means it is a hidden file. In Windows Explorer, click the View tab and select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives” under the sub-menu "Hidden files and folders." Click "Apply" and "OK." You will now see the RECYCLE. bin. Let us know if this helps. Be the first person to mark this helpful Helpful Reply wee 3S Aramis the Priest replied on July 30, 2012 v v7 5 In reply to Marilyn O's post on July 29, 2012 do not have the time to uninstall all the July updates and then reinstall them one at a time to see which one(s) is responsible for the desktop icon and Windows Explorer issues. That's interesting about the Recycle Bin because every version of Windows that | have used has shown a Recycle Bin on every hard drive in the system and not just on the C: drive where the OS is installed. You may be a moderator but | have serious doubts about your knowledge of Windows. There is a reason that the RB properties have the option to apply different sizes to the hitpanswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and:changing@60a4b80-e0e8-48e=-€23,.. 6/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity bin on each drive in the system. Regardless, my orginal question regarding the different naming scheme for the Recycle Bin was not answered completely. In fact, it raises yet another question: Why is the RB a hidden file on some drives and not on others? All for one and One for alll 1 person found this helpful a Helpful Reply GinaMay1 replied on August 3, 2012 v Ihave the same annoying problem with the desktop, seems like a simple setting or regeistry fix. Can not find a quick fix and do no want to do some of the recommended destructive timely fixes offered by some. Seems like no one uinderstands the probelm and goes off an a tangent with the fixes. It's a simlpe problem, the desktop icons do not hold their settings (location on screen, size), they revert back to slamming to the top left of the screen after a reboot, relogon, or even after right clicking on the desktop and picking refresh. This only happens to my user logon, the admin logon is fine, even created a new user and all is works good there. Looks like the easiest fix is to create a new user, move all items to new user, delete the bad user profile, resetup all my program settings and rename the user to the original name, and move on, but this is very timely. 1 person found this helpful “ Helpful Reply & Aramis the Priest replied on August 7, 2012 v 1 Ls In reply to GinaMay1's post on August 3, 2012 | agree 100%. Apparently no one at MS seems to grasp the concept however. Allfor one and One for all! 2 people found this helpful hitpfanswers, microsoft comver-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and.changing@60a4b80-e0e8-48e=-€23,... 7/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity Helpful Reply on Jackyou don't know replied on August 12, 2012 v Still no solutions to this? | found a few places giving links to download files (not gonna happen), change registry, etc etc etc. The original poster replies back each time after some time and says "I had to do some other things but it's solved now" and never say what they f*%$ did http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/36434-45 -desktop-icons-moving-autoarrange-unchecked http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/save-and-restore-desktop-icon-layout-in- windows-vista/ these methods DO NOT work. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itpronetworking/thread/cf77cea0-7cda- 42d3-b96a-9d29 1bc66468/ cannot test this as this is a work pc I do not have access to admin settings. Since this chick who *$% my pc up had MY level of access in doing this and she isn't computer savey in any form...! SHOULD be able to undo what she did. This is ONLY my account, after left logged in, and after she used it. The "generic" account she also uses has not had this issue (she hasn't worked since fing my log in up though) | have this exact same problem but my pc is a work computer, | set up my own log in as co- workers kept deleting my useful shortcuts. | had no problems and had each icon in a specific spot based on windows | usually have open and icons I click a lot. One day | forgot to log off..one day later (the girl using the computer is not very smart) all my icons are on the left and large. Ihave done EVERYTHING mentioned in these threads and the ones listed, except installing someone's software...| cannot install programs on a company computer (even if | wanted to) recap auto align OFF align to grid OFF (rebooted after each) move an icon, hit refresh...moves *note: after reboot the icons are back to medium size. | keep mine on small did the registry notepad thingy...didn't work Is there not a "save settings on exit" or something? hitpsanswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and:changing@60e4b80-<0e8-48e=-€23... 8/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity This is HIGHLY annoying, not only does it not let me put them where | NEED them to be, but it doesn't even let me arrange the order they are in. Be the first person to mark this helpful Helpful Reply os a gravityforce replied on August 12, 2012 v. Ly In reply to Aramis the Priest's post on August 7, 2012 Hello, it is simple! Try this! right click on a open space on your desktop and stroll over "view" uncheck the auto arrange check small icons check Align icons to grid check show desktop icons 6. check show desktop gadgets yaen> That's it! See if problem still persists. Hope this helps!! Help those that need it! Be the first person to mark this helpful a Helpful Reply os Builderdude2377 replied on August 13, 2012 v Ly In reply to gravityforce's post on August 12, 2012 Gabriel, This has all been tried, The icons will resize to small, but on reboot they will automagically go back to either medium or large. Mine has just started doing this on Aug 6th. | have tried the icon cache reset and that does not work. | have even installed fences, which does keep the icons hitpfanswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and.changing@60e4b80-e0e8-48e=-€23,.. a1eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity where they are, but does not prevent the resize issue Be the first person to mark this helpful Helpful Reply wee Ds gravityforce replied on August 13, 2012 v In reply to Builderdude2377's post on August 13, 2012 Well viewers, as the saying goes “there are more than one (1) way(s) to skin a cat" | wont stop trying until this is solved! 1. click start...in the searchbox type "desktop icon" and click on show or hide common icons on desktop 2. at the bottom left corner of Desktop icon settings window uncheck Allow themes to change desktop icons checkbox (If other checkboxes are checked then you can uncheck all of them & click OK) Option (2) Right click on a open space on desktop & hover the mouse over sort by uncheck all the options if checked. For example: Name Size Item Date modified (uncheck them alll) “Hope' this helps! Help those that need it! 1 person found this helpful Helpful Reply wee Previous Next hitpanswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_T-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and:changing@60e4b80-e0e8-48e=-€2... 10/11eons \Windaws 7 desktop icons keep moving and changing size on reboct- Microsoft Commusity Still have questions? Ask the community NOH @& English Microsoft Community Code of Conduct Community Participation Center Trademarks Privacy & Cookies Terms of Use Microsoft © 2015 Microsoft hitpanswers, microsoft com/er-usivindows/ferumwindows_7-desktopwindows-7-desktop-icons-keep-moving-and.changing@60e4b80-e0e8-48e=-62... 11/11