Solved desktop icons

[gotemba]

The icon on my desktop are are all jumbled up when I switch from another user.
How do I fix?

 

[richc46]

YOu can try to right click on desktop then view then uncheck auto arrange.
Then right click on desktop then sort by and then your choice of arrangements

 

[gotemba]

I unchecked auto arrange and under "sort by" was name, size, type, and date modified. Didn't see "your choice" I'll check it out and get back.

 

[gotemba]

Still jumbles them.

 

[richc46]

Sorry I meant chose the method of your choice

 

[richc46]

Uncheck align to grid, too
If it is unchecked, check it

 

[Lorien]

If the screen resolutions are different, that can sometimes cause the problem - but that's not always the case and typically only occurs with the same user and not when switching users.

The sad truth is that this happens to many people and for different reasons and there's no real "fix" for the problem. Sometimes we never identifty the cause and generally consider re-installation a bit drastic for such a problem. Richard has already recommended the common solutions or those that are the most frequently suggested, and while they do often work, even they don't always do the trick.

I recommend you go to Save and Restore Desktop Icon Layout in Windows Vista - How-To Geek where they will offer a download link which will create a right click option to save the desktop layout and one to restore the desktop layout. Then before you logoff (if you've made changes and, of course, the first time), save the desktop layout. If when you login it is all messed up, all you need do is right click and restore the desktop layout and you're back the way you were. Remember to save whenever you make changes (additions or deletions) as those changes may mess things up again since they were changed since last saved and that prior save will not work properly.

I wish there were a way to simply make it work as it should all the time, but it just doesn't always happen. Even worse, it doesn't happen to everyone - just some people - and still we haven't been able to come up with a solution that always works (except the workaround provided above).

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[richc46]

Rather than just give up Gotemba, I would like to find the cause. If it does not work, we may be able to find the cause. Does it happen in safe mode?
Does it happen with clean boot?
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
You may want to check to see if it is the antivirus, a common cause of problems

 

[Lorien]

I agree with Richard. While I'm completely in favor of finding and repairing the cause (and not giving up), the workaround I recommended will at least minimize the impact for now and provide a quick and easy fix in the meantime. In no way does it prevent continued efforts to resolve the underlying problem - and it provides more time to do so as the problem is not nearly as severe with that process in place.

I suggest you implement that process if only as a temporary workaround while we work on finding a more permanent answer.

Does this problem occur with all users or only with this one user? If only the one user, the user profile may be corrupt and may need to be repaired. To do this, use http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[gotemba]

I noticed if I keep the icons on the right side of the desktop two inches from that side they will not jumble up. So I guess I will go with that. Thanks to everyone.

 

[richc46]

Thank so much for your kind words and letting me know that I have helped solve the problem. Please return at any time if you experiene any future problems.

 

[Lorien]

I'm pleased to hear your thoughtful comments even if I'm not certain we really helped resolve your problem as much as you did so on your own by finding that location that seems to prevent it from occurring. Thank you very much.

Based on your post, I will request that this thread be marked solved.

Even though you've found a solution that currently works, I would still consider the option I presented as a fallback position in case things don't remain as they are at the moment - then you can recover the desktop with two clicks instead of resetting it completely - but that's entirely up to you.

And welcome to Vista Forums! Now that you know where we are, bookmark the site and post anytime you have further questions or problems or if you just want to browse and learn (especially the Tutorial section offers some excellent advice on a wide variety of topics) or even if you want to try to help answer a question if you happen to see one where you know the answer and it hasn't already been posted. While it most likely won't be us the next time (though it might), there are many very skilled, experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly people here who, like us, volunteer their time to help others and one or maybe even several will respond to your post to assist you. While there are other forums on the web that do this sort of thing, you've now found what I think is the best (and I've posted in and/or checked out quite a few) so don't lose this link - you never know when it might come in handy again.

Good luck and best wishes.