How to save desktop icon position layout in Windows 11

Windows 11 brings a lot to the table in terms of user experience, but the iteration isn’t entirely error-proof. Users run into issues from time to time, and changes to icon positioning are common. So how do you save your desktop layout in Windows 11?

There are built-in and third-party solutions for this task, whether it is saving the screen resolution of the current window or the arrangement of desktop icons. This becomes even more important for users who have a bunch of icons on their desktop.

Keep reading to learn how to save desktop icon locations in Windows 11.

Why doesn’t Windows 11 save icon layout positions?

The following are the main reasons why Windows 11 does not save the desktop icon layout:

• Changes to display settings: Normally, when you modify the display settings, configure The custom layout may change automatically.
• Third Party Applications: In some cases, security software or antivirus software may corrupt the Windows 11 desktop layout registry where layouts are stored, and subsequently, you may encounter another . ESET antivirus software affects many users.
• Remote Desktop Session: App icons and layout options may change even if you are in a remote desktop session.
• Corrupted System Files: When it comes to operating system issues, corrupted system files are often the root cause, as is desktop arrangement with automatic icon changes.
• Incorrectly configured Settings: If the view settings are misconfigured and auto-arrange icons is enabled, the layout options will not be stored.

How do I save my desktop layout in Windows 11?

Before we move on to slightly more complicated solutions, try these quick fixes:

• Refresh your computer before shutting down and Windows 11 should automatically save your desktop layout.
• Open Notepad, enter anything in the text editor, then shut down the computer without saving your work. When asked for confirmation, click Cancel. This will prevent Windows from logging off and save the desktop icon arrangement.

If none of them work, move on to the fixes listed below.

1. Using snap layout

1. Hover your cursor over the Maximize icon and select an available direction from the pop-up menu. Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts. WindowsZ
2. Depending on the display size, different options will be available. Larger monitors will have more layout options.
3. After selecting a layout, other active application windows will be listed among the rest. Choose one that should take up space.
4. Similarly, you can have 4-6 active applications on the monitor simultaneously.

Snap layout in Windows 11 is a useful feature that allows users to pin multiple applications to the desktop without overlapping each other.

The snapshot window feature has been present in the operating system for a long time, but in the latest version, it has received a major upgrade in terms of usefulness and seamlessness. While not a direct solution, it is an effective way to manage multiple applications simultaneously.

2. Run VBScript

One option for saving your desktop layout in Windows 11 is to create a VBScript. This is more of an advanced task, aimed primarily at users who understand the complexity.

You may find some scripts that work well on the web. We do not recommend using them as is. The entire code must be verified before execution.

One advantage of using a script and configuring it to load on startup is that it will allow you to open a predefined set of applications in the custom layout you want. This is great for multi-monitor setups. Additionally, it allows configuring how often new layouts are stored and how often old files are purged.

3. Use a third-party application to save layout selections

1. Go to SoftwareOK’s official website and download the .zip file of DesktopOK.
2. Go to the Download folder, right-click the desktop OK.zip, and select Extract all.
3. Now, paste the desired extraction path into the text field or click "Browse" to select one and click "Extract".
4. When completed, double-click the Desktop OK tool to launch it.
5. Now, click the "Save" button to store the current desktop icon layout.
6. If you want to revert to an earlier layout, just select it from the list and click the "Restore" button.
7. If you want to restore the current icon layout on the next reboot, click the Options menu and enable "Save on Windows shutdown," "On Windows startup Restore" and "Start DesktopOK using Windows".

If the manual method seems cumbersome, you can always rely on third-party solutions to save and restore desktop layout in Windows 11. Based on user reviews, DesktopOK seems to be the best option. The best part, it's free to use!

Additionally, DesktopOK is available for a range of other customization and personalization operating systems. If you find that your desktop icons are blank, fix it first and then save the layout.

Before you leave, learn how to create an icon now. Also, check out some quick tips that work when desktop icons are not showing up.

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