Windows 10: Desktop will not fill in empty icon spots when there is nothing there

There is an empty spot on my desktop that will not fill in with any new icon it is just a blank space in the grid. It seems like there is an invisible program there but I can't click on anything also when I install a new program it fills the spot but when I restart or refresh the desktop the same spot comes back and the new program is moved. The only thing I can think of that I did that might have caused it is I put some shortcuts on the desktop linked to programs on my other installed drive. All the ones on there are ones I wanted and I don't remember exactly everything I tried to put on. I do remember one day I started up the computer and there was this space that was never there before. Maybe a shortcut was there but I don't remember what it was maybe it disappeared I don't know. But I can't click that spot I can't highlight anything there. I checked my desktop folder on the drive and I only see stuff that's on there, now everything on my actual desktop is not all in my desktop folder I'm guessing that's normal. I'm saying everything in my desktop folder is accounted for.






Ok so when I "sort by" name, size, type, and date in ascending or descending order it's fine. The problem happens when I refresh or restart the pc.


Sort by name both ways works fine after refresh


Sort by size 1st click and refresh doesn't work and leaves empty spots



Sort by size 2nd click and refresh doesn't work and leaves empty spots



Sort by item type works both ways after refresh


Sort by date modified 1st click refresh doesn't work and leaves spaces. So this one shows 4 empty spaces





Sort by modified 2nd click refreshed doesn't work and leaves spaces




All the above I had align to grid checked


When I uncheck align to grid and tested them all they all worked and didn't leave spaces I refreshed and they stayed in order so it only messes up when aligned to the grid. It didn't bother me at first but it made me think what if the empty space is some virus. After testing I don't think it is. I think it is because of shortcuts I tried to put on the desktop that won't go away or turned invisible maybe. But It works fine when not attached to the grid.


I tried it in safe mode and the spaces were still showing up. I tried a clean boot and that didn't work the spaces were still there. I don't know what to do to fix this.


System

Windows 10 home edition

version 2004

installed 06/29/2020

Os build 19041.450

Ryzen 9 3900x

32GB ram

evga Geforce rtx 2080 super

Tuf gaming x570 motherboard

:)

 

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 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.

 

Desktop Icons

Hello Glenda,

Share this information to assist you better.

• Is the issue particular to the Comcast?
• Have you installed all the pending updates?
• Did you try changing icons of other shortcuts?

Follow the steps and check if it helps:

Step 1: Press Windows+I to open Settings panel, and click
Personalization to access Personalization settings.

Step 2: Tap Change desktop icons on the top left in the Personalization window.

Step 3: In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the icon of
This PC and click Change Icon.

Step 4: Choose a new icon from the list, and tap OK.

Step 5: Click OK to confirm the change.

Let us know the status of the issue.