Word Association (2024)

[howto]

What do you use to manage your desktop icons?

As in backup/restore icon placement.

I used Icon Saver in W98, W2K, XP (32-bit).

Skipped ME and Vista.

I use W7.1 ult 64-bit,

seems there are only a few, perhaps 3 apps for this.

[WhizBang]

I have a clean desktop, not an icon in sight.

[RichCor]

I image the entire OS partition. On a restore, everything comes back as it was the time the image was made.

[howto]

I should have been more clear...

Destop rez is 1024x768 (or higher).

You have desktop icons in 'groups',

upper left, upper right,

lower left lower right.

Because you placed them there.

Now boot into 'safe mode'

which normally gives you 640x480,

or 800x600.

Your icons will be displaced,

sometimes under other icons.

Can also happen when changing Vid cards.

Or updating Vid drivers.

Get the point of this OP?

This is not about doing a system restore.

[Don Mega]

What is a desktop Icon ?.

Sorry no, Iam not getting your point.

[jacnl2000]

Maybe this relative old piece of software is what you're looking for:

http://amip.tools-for.net/files/dips64/readme.txt

No need to use this utility inside Windows 10:

Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings > uncheck Allow themes to change desktop icons ...

Regards.

[howto]

@Don Mega

Create a new folder anywhere on your disks.

Within that folder, create a new txt document

Open that text doc, enter anything, 123 or abc, save it.

Close the text editor.

Look at that folder.

Highlight the file, right click and

choose send to desktop

Now look at the desktop

you will see a icon (shortcut) to your file.

You can do this with any file.

@jacnl2000

I am not discussing W8 or W10.

Please read this thread.

For the rest of you using w7.1,

drag an icon to upper or lower right.

reboot into safe mode

reboot

does that icon remain in the same place or was it moved

I must assume you are using w7.1

and 1024x768 or higher screen rez

This is becoming laborous.

[Don Mega]

Ohhh. you call shortcuts "icons"... ok then. But yeah why would I want to clutter my desktop with crap like that ?

Edited September 10, 2015 by Don Mega

[WorriedNoodle]

In the old days one of my PC's came with Stardock Fences which is free I think? Organises all your shortcuts or desktop files into fixed areas on the desktop.

I have never been into anything but a clean and empty desktop - something to due with an uncluttered mind I think.

[RichCor]

I've been lucky that through all of my iterations of Windows 7, and now 10, that my desktop icons were always the way I left them when returning from a SafeMode boot back into Normal boot mode (and normal higher screen resolution). SafeBoot usually used some previously saved/recorded icon position to render the desktop, sometimes with newer added application icons being absent, but everything again rendering as it should when back in Normal boot mode.

Just tried it in Win 10 and it does the same thing, icon/shorts were rendered from some earlier saved desktop. Then on a normal boot my preferred grouping is used (even with an icons I previously placed in each corner).

I have had icon position change issues when using using projectors with different display resolutions that messed with my live desktop.

so anyhow... Google will save you from further labor with the right inquiry

Windows 7 application to record/restore desktop icon positions

...returning gems like these:

Save desktop icons position and restore when needed in windows 7

answers.windows.com

using the Layout.dll shell extension from Microsoft

Lock, Save and restore desktop icons position layout in Windows

theWindowsClub

DesktopOK is a free tiny utility that lets you save, restore, and lock desktop icons position and layout

How to Save Your Desktop Icon Layout in Windows XP, 7, 8

online-tech-tips.com

Post presenting DesktopOK and Icon Restore

...

[ravip]

Would you find a tool from here to serve your purpose? >>> http://www.freewaregenius.com/ten-free-tools-to-better-organize-your-desktop-icons/

How about DekstopOK: ?

[howto]

^^bump

I've been away fer awhile...

thanks to all whom replied...

and especially to RichCor, great links and I read their comments.

Cheers, howto

[JetsetBkk]

I take a screenshot of the desktop occasionally.

Great fun dragging them back to where they are supposed to be if ever they get messed up. Not.

[RichCor]

I take a screenshot of the desktop occasionally.

Great fun dragging them back to where they are supposed to be if ever they get messed up. Not.

I like creating a screenshot of people's messy PC desktop, move all the icons somewhere else, then use the screenshot as their new desktop background pic.

[JetsetBkk]

I take a screenshot of the desktop occasionally.

Great fun dragging them back to where they are supposed to be if ever they get messed up. Not.

I like creating a screenshot of people's messy PC desktop, move all the icons somewhere else, then use the screenshot as their new desktop background pic.

Reminds of when I sent a picture of a computer crash (PDP/11) to the terminal of a co-worker who went ballistic!

[bendejo]

A small program called DesktopOK will set you right.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/desktopok.html

I run a laptop with a 1080p monitor. Sometimes when doing maintenance the desktop icons reposition to the laptop screen. This program puts all back in place, works a charm. Provided, of course, that you snapped an image previously.

[RichCor]

A small program called DesktopOK will set you right.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/desktopok.html

I run a laptop with a 1080p monitor. Sometimes when doing maintenance the desktop icons reposition to the laptop screen. This program puts all back in place, works a charm. Provided, of course, that you snapped an image previously.

Already mentioned in posts #10 and #11

You make it seem as if you haven't even read the thread. But a personal experience with the software does add something to the topic.

[JetsetBkk]

A small program called DesktopOK will set you right.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/desktopok.html

I run a laptop with a 1080p monitor. Sometimes when doing maintenance the desktop icons reposition to the laptop screen. This program puts all back in place, works a charm. Provided, of course, that you snapped an image previously.

Already mentioned in posts #10 and #11

You make it seem as if you haven't even read the thread. But a personal experience with the software does add something to the topic.

...

Or you could just export the key "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" from the Registry {} and then import it if the icons get messed up.