[PCWorld]

Post your comments for How do I Keep My Desktop Icons in Place? here

[number6]

Some times I take a snapshot of my desktop with the icons in the right places and make that my background. Then, whenever the icons get rearranged I have a picture of the icon where it's supposed to go.

[kylinn]

Another handy app. is Shock Desktop (http://www.docs.kr/entry/Download-Shock-Desktop-en), which allows you to save and restore several different desktop schemes. Even better, it doesn't have to run continuously - once it's saved your preferred scheme, you can turn it off until you need to use it again.

[SamCal]

Many video cards come with utilities to save and restore desktop settings including icon placement.

[Dermatea]

You can also preserve the position of desktop icons using UltraMon.

http://blogs.pcworld...ves/007569.html (scroll down to the last screenshot)

http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

[Bubby4j]

Thanks for useing my question.

[SpiritWind]

Seems easier to RIGHT-click on an empty spot on the desktop, select "Properties", then "Arrange Icons By", then put checkmark in the "Lock Web Items on Desktop" !?

[number6]

SpiritWind,

Unless there isn't an "Arrange Icons by" option that arranges them the way you like.

[Dave123]

I just use ObjectDock (free) and install my icons that I use all the time on that. It is much easier than all the rest and I can get at my icons with out closing all my windows to get to the desktop. Try it out.

[Wallee]

I tried [~9738]'s suggestin but I don't like how it changes the look of the icons. I always try it when they get messed up but then go back to the standard look.



Wally

[Geejay725]

How about disabling the auto arrange icons by right-clicking on your desktop?

[phillypa800]

simple! don't use any at all. all of my desktops including work have zero icons on the desktop. those stupid little icons bother me. too much clutter. i use quicklaunch. very manageable.

"number6 - Some times I take a snapshot of my desktop with the icons in the right places and make that my background. Then, whenever the icons get rearranged I have a picture of the icon where it's supposed to go."

WOW! LOL! i thought i was anal. you're the total opposite of me when it comes to desktop icons. ahahahhahhaha!

[number6]

Well, I have to admit I don't do that often because I'm alway adding and removing icons, but when I get settled on the PC I do take a snap shop.

[WayneW]

I had what I considered to many shortcuts/icons on my desktop so I created a folder (desk drawer) to hold most of them.
And I mostly keep them all hidden unless I'm doing my routine maintenance/cleanup/backup.
I also rely on quick launch for the majority of my work. That and hot-keys.
A lot of icons will have a slight performance hit when starting up but my machine is tweaked and really fast to begin with.
Don't forget to "lock the desktop"

[number6]

WayneW said:

IThat and hot-keys.

Yeah, hot keys are great. Makes less need to use the mouse.

[dondutcher]

I use a little freebie utility called Save My Desktop, which I think your magazine recommended once. BUT it doesn't work well through my docking station (Targus) so I connected my Dell Inspiron laptop back directly to stand-along screen and it works fine. It remembers my desktop settings when they do get scrambled. My "visual memory" likes those icons in 5 different categories/locations on my desktop screen. I can easily find the specific software within the category.

[Joat]

You can also really mess with peoples heads with this one if you set your snapshot as your background and then right click your desktop and go to: arrange Icons by: (and uncheck) "Show Desktop Icons".

Drives 'em nuts.

[phillypa800]

LOL! too funny! i'll have to try that at work. next time someone needs help with their pc, i'll take a screenshot of their desktop and make it their wallpaper...ahahahaahhahaaa! so bad BUT so healthy to laugh at...

[number6]

Joat said:

You can also really mess with peoples heads with this one if you set your snapshot as your background and then right click your desktop and go to: arrange Icons by: (and uncheck) "Show Desktop Icons".

Drives 'em nuts.

I did that one time and my friend called me over to see what was wrong. It looked so real it fooled me. :^0