Windows 10: desktop icons move to second monitor

Discus and support desktop icons move to second monitor in Windows 10 Customization to solve the problem; Having used a small monitor as a second display for years, I bought a new larger one. Now, every time I try to use 'extend' display all the carefully... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Customization' started by NotAgain20, Jul 13, 2020.

  1. desktop icons move to second monitor


    Having used a small monitor as a second display for years, I bought a new larger one.

    Now, every time I try to use 'extend' display all the carefully arranged desktop icons move to totally irrational places on the second screen.


    It is clear this bug has been around for years with no proper W10 fix.

    Anybody have any new insights, or ideas of how to get it fixed properly?


    [it is not helped by - turn off auto-arrange already true; change icon size absurd requirement anyway; delete iconcache*; taskbar on main display only; allow themes to change icon settings already off ]

    but in any case we shouldn't be faffing about like that - it shouldn't happen in the first place.

    :)
     
    NotAgain20, Jul 13, 2020
    #1
  2. qubit Win User

    Desktop Icon Keeps On Moving

    That's because your resolution is changing each time. To test, try setting to 1024x768, arrange a couple of icons and then restart the PC. As long as the resolution after startup is still 1024x768, then the icons won't move. Trust me. *Wink desktop icons move to second monitor ;)
     
    qubit, Jul 13, 2020
    #2
  3. Desktop icons move from main screen to extended screen monitor

    Thank you! Your post was very helpful up to a point. My system is using a Dell Laptop and a 27" external monitor. It uses the Intel Graphics Adapter and Intel Display Settings utility, so I can't just follow along with your step-by-step procedures. My Primary
    has been the Laptop display and all Icons have resided there until a week ago. Now the Icons have moved to the second monitor and they go back to the laptop if I set it for built-in display only.
     
    MikeFlanagan1, Jul 13, 2020
    #3
  4. desktop icons move to second monitor

    Desktop icons moving to monitor 2

    Hi Ruth,

    Thanks for the suggestion but I'm afraid I already had the desktop set up with "Auto arrange icons" unchecked and "Align icons to grid" checked; I have had it set like that for months.

    To expand on the issue, the desktop windows I leave open also rearrange themselves into an area that represents a smaller desktop than that which is configured. Again, this is possibly because when waking up, the smaller monitor 2 desktop seems to come
    alive first so all the windows appear there before being moved back when monitor 1 wakes up, at which point all windows (even the monitor 2 ones) are moved onto monitor 1. I've never worried too much about the windows because I have a third-party program
    that will move them all back, but not the icons, sadly.

    Regards,

    Jim.
     
    Jim_FitzSimmons, Jul 13, 2020
    #4
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desktop icons move to second monitor

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