Windows 10: How do I change the spacing of desktop icons?

I have found this question here before but the answers did not address my problem. The icons on my desktop were previously much closer together than they now are, and I cannot seem to get them back the way they were. The icon size is the same as it has always been, and I have always had the grid option turned on, but there are now giant gaps between and below the icons which, while not causing any problems, is just a tad irritating. I was wondering if anyone could explain what has happened to my desktop? I have not changed anything, it was fine yesterday but when I opened my laptop today the icons were like this. Thank you for your time!

:)

 

Cannot change desktop icon

Sometimes a desktop icon changes from what it was to a plain white folder. Might be something I did but not sure what.

To change it to the icon I want, I go:

1. Rt-click icon > Properties > Change icon
2. I select the icon I want from the thumbnails of icons.
3. Click OK
4. Click Apply

But the icon does not change. It just stays looking like a white folder.
HOWEVER, if I pin the icon to the taskbar, the icon on the taskbar does look like the icon I selected in step-2. So the change is registered with Win10 but the icon on the desktop just doesn't change.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

Space allotted to desktop icons

Hi Bob,

Windows 10 have various options to personalize your PC based on your liking. To help us provide the appropriate steps on how to make the changes that you want, we would like to ask for additional details. Please answer the following:

• What is the current build and version of your Windows 10 device?
• Can you please provide a screenshot of the desktop icon having an extra space?
• Have you made any recent changes to the settings before this occurred?

We hope to hear from you soon.

 

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.