How to lock desktop icons in Windows

Many PC users get used to their desktop icons being in one place. However, if desktop icons are rearranged, getting used to the new order can be inconvenient and confusing. Rearrangements can occur because of Windows’ automatic organizing feature or because other desktop users decided to rearrange them.

Fortunately, there are ways to turn off the auto-arrange feature and prevent icons from moving. This article will discuss the different ways you can lock your desktop icons on various Windows systems.

Lock desktop icons in Windows 11

Windows 11 will rearrange your icons if you installed or deleted an app or even changed your screen resolution settings. You will need to turn off the auto-arrange feature to prevent this from happening. Follow these steps to do it:

1. Right click anywhere on the desktop.
   
2. Hover your mouse over “View” in the menu.
   
3. A drop-down menu will appear. Go to “Automatically arrange icons.”
   
4. Uncheck the option to disable it.
   

If you want each row and column of icons to be aligned, you can adjust it here by clicking “Align icons to grid”.

Lock desktop icons in Windows 10

It is possible to change the theme of your Windows 10 device. When you change the theme, you change the window colors, wallpaper, system noises, and screen saver all at once. However, some themes also offer icon packs.

A theme contains all of these preconfigured options and they also tend to rearrange the icons on your desktop. Themes will rearrange the icons on your desktop to improve visual aesthetics if you don’t prevent Windows from rearranging them.

To turn off the auto-arrange feature, the steps are:

1. Right click anywhere empty on your desktop.
   
2. Hover over “View” for more options.
   
3. Uncheck the box next to the “Automatic Organize” icons.
   
4. Make sure the “Align icons to grid” option is enabled. This will limit your desktop icons to a grid layout, resulting in perfectly spaced icons.
   

Disabling the automatic arrange feature should prevent Windows from rearranging your desktop icons.

Another way to lock your desktop icons in Windows 10 is through the “Settings” app. The steps to do it are:

1. Open the Windows 10 Settings app or press the Win button + I shortcut.
   
2. Select “Personalization.”
   
3. Choose “Themes” from the left panel menu.
   
4. Click “Desktop Icon Settings” in the right menu under “Related Settings.” This should open a new settings window.
   
5. Uncheck the box next to “Allow themes to change desktop icons.”
   
6. Select “Apply” and then “OK.”
   

You also have the option of using a third-party app like desktop lock. After downloading and installing it, the steps to use it are similar to using it with Windows 11.

1. Arrange your icons in the order you want them to remain.
2. Run Desklock.exe by double-clicking on it.
   
3. Right click on the Desklock symbol on your taskbar.
   
4. From the menu, select “Enable.”
   

Another way is to download a third-party application. desktop lock is a simple and free app that locks Windows 10 desktop icons in place. The app icon in the system tray allows you to turn it on and off as needed. To get the program, go to its website and click on the “Download Now” option, then save the ZIP file to your PC.

Once you have finished downloading the file, it is time to install it. To do so, the steps are:

1. To open File Explorer, use the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
   
2. Double-click the Downloads folder.
   
3. Select “Extract All…” from the menu that appears when you right-click DeskLock.zip.
   
4. Choose a location for the new DeskLock files. If you want, you can use the default location in your Downloads folder.
   
5. Select “Extract.”
   
6. To open the DeskLock folder, double-click it.
   

Now to lock your icons, the steps are as follows:

1. Arrange your icons in the order you want them to remain. If your icons keep returning to their previous places, right-click on the desktop, select View, and uncheck “Automatically arrange icons.”
2. Double-click Desklock.exe to run it.
   
3. On your taskbar, right-click the Desklock icon.
4. Select “Enable” from the menu.

Lock desktop icons in Windows 8.1

The steps to lock your desktop icons in Windows 8.1 are very similar to those in Windows 10 and 11. The first way to do it is:

1. Right click on an empty spot on the desktop.
2. Select “View” from the drop-down menu.
3. Uncheck the “Automatically arrange icons” box.

You can also use desktop lock. After downloading and installing it, the steps are as follows:

1. Arrange your icons in the order you want them to appear.
2. Double-click Desklock.exe to start it.
3. Right click on the Desklock icon on your taskbar.
4. Select “Enable” from the menu.

Lock desktop icons in Windows 7

Windows 7 also allows you to lock your desktop icons. The options you have are similar to those in Windows 10. You can turn off the automatic organizing feature by following these steps:

1. Right click anywhere on your desktop.
2. Hover over “View” to see other options.
3. Uncheck the checkbox next to the “Automatic Arrange” icons.
4. Make sure the “Align icons to grid” option is enabled. This will force your desktop icons to be arranged in a grid, resulting in correctly spaced icons.

The “Settings” app is another option to lock your desktop icons in Windows 7. The steps are as follows:

1. Launch the “Settings” app in Windows 7. You can do this by pressing the Win + I button.
2. Choose “Personalization.”
3. From the left side menu, select “Themes”.
4. In the right side menu, under “Related Settings”, select “Desktop Icon Settings”. This should open a new settings window.
5. Uncheck the option called “Allow themes to update desktop icons.”
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”

And finally, you can use third-party apps like desk lock here too. After setting up the app, the steps are:

1. Arrange your icons in the order you want them to display.
2. Run Desklock.exe by double-clicking on it.
3. Right click on the Desklock icon on your taskbar.
4. From the menu, select “Activate.”

Keep everything in its place

Although Windows’ automatic organization feature can be useful, it sometimes causes more harm than good. Disabling it will solve the problem of constantly moving icons and help you keep your desktop organized according to your needs and preferences.

Unfortunately, even if you uncheck the automatic icon arrangement feature, your desktop icons may be rearranged in some cases. For example, when you change your screen resolution, your icons may move. If Windows randomly changes the resolution without your intervention, it may be due to an outdated driver. In this situation, you should try updating your driver to see if that solves the problem.

Do you keep your icons locked? What is your preferred method for locking icons? Let us know in the comments section below!