Comments on: How to save your desktop icon layout in Windows XP

By: Paul A

Paul A — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:07:45 +0000

I also would like to know WHERE the configuration is stored. Our files are stored on a company server and whenever that server goes down, I loose my desktop arrangement. I tried this program, but the saved configuration was lost also. If I knew where it was, perhaps I could back it up somewhere else and restore it first.

By: raviv

raviv — Sun, 09 May 2010 09:43:19 +0000

Solution when it stops working.

You probably figured out for yourself that restarting the computer solves the issue. But who want to restart every time it happens ?

We also know that if restart is solving it there must be some component that is not functioning or locking an important file.

the important file in this tool is layout.dll (under system32).

I’ve used another great tool (unlocker) to view what is locking this file: it’s the explorer.exe itself.

Killing the explorer and recreating it (taskmgr) solved the issue in 2 seconds.

Good luck,

By: Save Your Desktop Icons Layout and Wallpaper

Save Your Desktop Icons Layout and Wallpaper — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:30:55 +0000

[...] and change your wallpaper often, IconRestorer would be a useful utility for you. It allows you to save the layout of your desktop icons and the current wallpaper. Then, you can change the layout and the wallpaper and return to the [...]

By: Klaus

Klaus — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:30:45 +0000

I use Windows XP Pro and have exactly the issue that connecting a projector reorganizes my desktop. I need to be able to reset icon locations as they were before connecting the projector, so this application is right for me.
When I go to download the software fix, it takes me to SpeedPC. Is that what you used to restore the desktop icon locations?
I use RegDefense to keep my registry clean, so am worried that installing SpeedPC as well could lead to system conflicts.

By: JP

JP — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:08:44 +0000

You made me won my day!

Every day 5 minutes of my time were being redirected to accomplish the desktop layout organinzing task, and know its gone!!

Thanks a lot,

By: Nux

Nux — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:26:42 +0000

This is great! I have about 90 icons in very specific order and I’m in love in this !

BTW. Note that you might need to make some space for your icons before you restore them (especially if you align icons to grid). Running restore few times also worked for me.

By: kevin

kevin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:51:42 +0000

I had an interesting thing happen using this that might save others time figuring out. I added a second monitor temporarily (to the left of my usual monitor) and extended my desktop onto it. Way later when I needed to restore icons they all disappeared! Took me a while to figure out that they were moved to the other “non-existent” screen. To fix, go into Display Properties -> Settings and uncheck “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor”.

By: Dandruff

Dandruff — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:09:01 +0000

Thanks, works like a charm on Windows XP SP3. Saved us a lot of time!

By: Lisa Dorencamp

Lisa Dorencamp — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:29:06 +0000

Thank you Thank you! Why this is not included in the base Windows Software, I’ll never know.

What a relief!!! I like my icons ‘Just-so’ and this is a savior!!!!!

By: Bart

Bart — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:43:32 +0000

Unfortunately this doesn’t work at all for me. I’m using windows 7 64 bit.

By: Suneesh

Suneesh — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:44:27 +0000

Thank you so much….I have been looking for this software quite a long period of time….THis tips helped me a lot.

By: Graham

Graham — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:03:35 +0000

This works sometimes and fails sometimes.

Is there an update or newer, better option to save desktop icon layouts?

By: Sorry

Sorry — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:09:26 +0000

this program doesn’t work. i’ve tried it and it only seems like it works the first time, but if you try mixing up ur icons, then try restoring…its not the same.

By: Joey

Joey — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:52:57 +0000

If it doesn’t remember all the icon’s positions correctly on the first try, just try clicking “Restore Desktop Icon Layout” until it gets it right.

By: John

John — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:16:13 +0000

Re. the post from Pkzip on 30 Aug 08.

I found the same problem until I clicked on “restore desktop icon layout” a second and even a third time.

The original saved layout is gradually restored in stages.