Forum Discussion
Why does Windows 11 keep resetting my desktop icon layout after every reboot?
Why does Windows 11 rearrange my desktop icons every time I restart, even though "Auto arrange icons" is turned off? I keep my games and folders in specific spots, but after a reboot they either shift to a different position or bunch up on the left side. It doesn't happen every single time, but often enough to be annoying.
Could this be caused by a display resolution change, a corrupted icon layout cache, or something related to a recent update? And is there a way to lock the icon positions so Windows stops moving them?
1 Reply
Your icons moving after restart despite Auto arrange being disabled means the reset needs investigation; it does not, by itself, identify a damaged icon cache. Start by recording the layout and keeping the display configuration unchanged across a restart.
In Display settings, confirm the selected monitor, recommended resolution, and scaling. If you use several displays or a dock, compare one restart with a single display connected. An unexpected resolution change is a reason to check the graphics driver.
Next, test a clean boot to isolate background software, especially any desktop organizer. Hide Microsoft services before disabling other services, record disabled startup items, and restore normal startup afterward. If the layout stays stable, re-enable items in batches to identify the trigger. If it still resets, report the Windows build and controlled test results. These steps isolate causes; they do not establish a guaranteed permanent position lock.
