How to Lock Desktop Icons in Windows

Many PC users get used to having their desktop icons in one place. However, if the desktop icons are rearranged, getting used to the new order can be inconvenient and confusing. Rearrangements may occur due to the Windows Auto-Arrange feature or because other desktop users have decided to rearrange them.

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

Lock desktop icons in Windows 11

Windows 11 will rearrange your icons if you've installed or removed an app or even changed display resolution settings. You will need to disable the auto-arrange feature to prevent this from happening. Follow these steps to do so:

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 “Auto-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".

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

Once the file has finished downloading, it's time to install it. To do this, the steps are:

1. To open File Explorer, use 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 revert to their previous location, right-click on the desktop, select View, and uncheck "Auto-arrange icons."
   
2. Double-click Desklock.exe to run it.
   
3. In your taskbar, right click on the desktop lock icon.
   
4. Select “Enable” from the menu.
   

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 window colors, wallpaper, system sounds, and screen saver all at the same time. Some themes, however, also provide icon packs.

A theme has all of these options pre-configured, 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 disable the auto-arrange function, the steps are:

1. Right click on any empty spot on your desktop.
   
2. Hover over "View" for more options.
   
3. Uncheck the box next to the "Auto-organize" icons.
   
4. Make sure the "Align icons to grid" option is enabled. This will constrain your desktop icons to a grid layout, resulting in perfectly spaced icons.
   

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

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

1. Open the Windows 10 Settings app or press the Win + I button shortcut.
   
2. Select “Personalization”.
   
3. Choose "Themes" from the left pane menu.
   
4. Click "Desktop icon settings" in the right menu under "Related settings". This should bring up a new configuration window.
   
5. Uncheck the box next to "Allow themes to modify desktop icons".
   
6. Select "Apply", 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 it.
   
3. Right-click on the Desklock symbol in your taskbar.
   
4. From the menu, select “Enable.
   

Lock desktop icons in Windows 8.1

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

1. Right-click on an empty spot on the desktop.
2. Select "Show" 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 in 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 Windows 10. You can turn off the auto-organize feature by doing the following:

1. Right-click anywhere on your desktop.
2. Hover over "View" to see more options.
3. Uncheck the box next to the "Auto-organize" 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 properly 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" application on Windows 7. You can do this by pressing the Win + I button.
2. Choose “Personalization”.
3. In the left menu, select "Themes".
4. In the menu on the right side, under "Related Settings", select "Desktop Icon Settings". This should open a new configuration window.
5. Uncheck the option labeled “Allow themes to update desktop icons”.
6. Click “Apply” then “OK”.

And finally, you can use third-party apps like Desktop Lock here too. After configuring the application, the steps are:

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

Keep everything in place

Even though the Windows auto-arrange feature can be helpful, sometimes it causes more inconvenience than the benefits are worth. Disabling it will solve the problem of constantly moving icons and help you organize your desktop according to your needs and preferences.

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

Do you keep your icons locked? What's your favorite way to lock icons? Let us know in the comment section below!