I have windows XP service pack 2. I want my desk top icons to stay where I put them.
When I restart the computers they go back to the left.

I do not have lock to desk top or align to grid checked.

If you have "auto arrange" checked (not mentioned above) that will cause the same problem.

I do not have auto arrange checked. Thanks for the reply.

oldandslow

Welcome to Windows :-)

Sounds to me like you have a windows file corruption issue. Would suggest you go through the usual spyware, adware, virus checks and fixes. If that does not solve the problem you can check the integrity of all of your windows file by typing in the following command in the "run box"

Click on "start"

"run"

And type in the following command line:

Sfc /scannow

Then hit "ok"

Note the space between "sfc" and "/"

Make sure to have your windows XP disc in your CD rom drive as the command will need to access it if it finds a corrupted file in order to replace. This might help and will certainly do no harm. You may get a prompt for the disk as the process goes forward even with it in the drive. Just hit "ok" until the prompt goes away. This command takes some time to finish.



RSM

Thanks RSM,

I ran SFC /scannow and nothing was wrong. I also ran CCcleaner. When I restarted my computer the icons where I put them but then went back to the left side.
I put a picture of my grand children on my desk top and want the icons out of the picture.

I think you will find the answer to your problem here!

Annoyances.org (http://www.annoyances.org/)

Annoyances.org - Question about 'Why don't folders remember their position, sort order, or icon size?' (Windows XP Discussion Forum) (http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1024256949)

And also look over the information at this link.

RMS
I went to the annoyances.org and printed the instructions for "regedit. It said it was a illegal operation. I tried it in dos and with the run command.

I'm about ready to give up.

Thanks for the replies
oldandslow

How to keep your desktop icons from rearranging download this program. The instructions are in the setup box. I tried it and it works.


Icon Restore download and review - restore desktop icon layout from SnapFiles (http://snapfiles.com/get/iconrestore.html)

Glad you found the solution. Sorry I could not have been more helpful. Thanks for the positive feedback!