Windows 10: Desktop icons scattering after connecting secondary display

Okay, so, I've had my laptop for almost a year now,

For the first roughly 8 months when i plug in a display, all of my desktop icons stayed in place, on my main laptop screen. (I plug in and detach a monitor all the time, probably at the least once daily, none of the icons ever moved whatsoever)


For the last couple months when i plug in a display all of my desktop icons shift and look scrambled, thrown across both my laptop screen and the plugged in display, And when i unplug the display, all of my icons go back to normal.


When i try to rearrange icons when a display is plugged in, they'll stay for probably 5 mins, then snap back to their scrambled state.


So to summarize my question:

How do i stop my desktop icons from scrambling when i plug in a display?




(both my laptop screen and external display are 1920 x 1080. if anyone needs any more info, just ask.)



***Original title: Icons shifting when display is plugged in***

:)

 

Remove Linux Desktop Icons

I am not sure whether this will work (Ubuntu does not have icons like that on the desktop by default), but I suggest opening the trash bin and sweeping the icons into the window showing the trash bin.

 

Desktop icons do not display on primary screen

Hi Rob,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community. I understand your concern and I am glad to assist you.

Did you make any changes to your computer prior to this?

Method 1:

Uninstall and reinstall the Display adapter drivers make sure it’s updated. To download the latest version of drivers you may visit the manufacturer's website.

After you configure your computer with multiple monitors, your new primary display may be blank. The desktop icons and taskbar may appear on the secondary monitor instead of the new primary monitor.

To work around this problem, disable and re-enable the secondary monitor:

• Right-click a blank portion of your desktop, and then click Properties.
• On the Settings tab, two monitor icons are displayed. Click the secondary monitor, click to clear the
  Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box, and then click
  Apply.
• When you see the correct desktop settings displayed on the new primary monitor, click the secondary monitor, click to select the
  Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box, and then click
  Apply.

Method 2:

Run SFC SCAN. To run SFC / SCANNOW please follow the steps.

a. Press Windows key + X and click Command Prompt.

b. Type the command: sfc /scannow and press
Enter.

c. Restart the computer and check.

Note: The System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) scans for missing or corrupted system files and repairs them.

Hope this helps. If the issue persists please get back to us. We are here to assist you.

 

Desktop Icons Won't Stay Put

Hi Laurie,

As per the issue description I understand that you are facing issues with desktop icons.

I suggest you try the following step in order to arrange the icons.

• Right click on the desktop.
• Click on view
• Check the option auto arrange icons.

Let us know if this helps.

Thanks.