Can I lock my desktop icons in place Windows 10?
Many PC users get used to their desktop icons being in one place. However, if the desktop icons get rearranged, getting used to the new order can be inconvenient and confusing. Rearrangements can happen because of the Windows auto-arrange feature or because other desktop users decided to rearrange them. Show Luckily there are ways to turn off the auto-arrange feature and to prevent your icons from being moved. This article will discuss the different ways you can lock your desktop icons on various Windows systems. Lock Desktop Icons in Windows 11Windows 11 will rearrange your icons if youve installed or deleted an app or even if youve changed the display resolution settings. Youll need to turn off the auto-arrange feature to prevent this from happening. Follow these steps to do so:
If you wish each row and column of icons to be aligned, you can adjust that here by clicking Align Icons to Grid. Another way is to download a third-party app. DeskLock is a free, simple application that locks your Windows desktop icons in place. The apps icon in the system tray allows you to turn it on and off as needed. To get the program, go to their webpage and click the Download Nowoption, then save the ZIP file to your PC. After youve finished downloading the file, its time to install it. To do so, the steps are:
Now to lock your icons, the steps are the following:
Lock Desktop Icons in Windows 10It is possible to change the theme of your Windows 10 device. When you change the theme, you change the colors of the windows, the background picture wallpaper, the system noises, and the screensaver all at once. Some themes, however, provide icon packs as well. A theme contains all of these pre-configured options, and they also tend to rearrange the icons on your desktop. Themes will rearrange the icons on your desktop to improve the visual aesthetics if you do not block Windows from rearranging them. To disable the auto-arrange feature, the steps are:
Disabling the auto-arrange feature should prevent Windows from rearranging your desktop icons. Another way to lock your Desktop icons on Windows 10 is through the Settings app. The steps to do so are:
You also have the option to use a third-party app like DeskLock. After downloading and installing it, the steps for using it are similar to using it with Windows 11.
Lock Desktop Icons in Windows 8.1The steps to lock your desktop icons on Windows 8.1 are very similar to Windows 10 and 11. The first way to do so is:
You can also use DeskLock. After downloading and installing it, the steps are the following:
Lock Desktop Icons in Windows 7Windows 7 also allows for locking your desktop icons. The options you have are similar to Windows 10. You can disable the auto-arrange feature by followingthese steps:
The Settings app is another option to lock your desktop icons in Windows 7. The steps are as follows:
And finally, you can use third-party apps like Desklock here as well. After setting up the app, the steps are:
Keep Everything in PlaceEven though the Windows auto-arrange feature can be helpful, it sometimes causes more inconveniences than the benefits are worth. Turning it off will solve the issue of constantly moving icons and help you keep your desktop organized to your needs and preferences. Unfortunately, even if you uncheck the auto-arrange Icons feature, your desktop icons may be rearranged in some instances. For example, when you alter your screen resolution, your icons may move. If Windows randomly changes the resolution without your intervention, it might be due to an outdated driver. In this situation, you should try updating your driver to see if that resolves the problem. Do you keep your icons locked? What is your preferred method of locking icons? Let us know in the comment section below! |