Desktop icons are randomly moved when connecting to an external monitor in Windows 10/11!You ran a Windows 10 or Windows 11 dual monitor setup. When you switch from the primary display to the external display, you may notice that the desktop icons have been moved to random positions. 1.) ... If the desktop icons are sorted randomly!
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| (Image-1) Windows desktop icons move randomly! |
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2.) Why do the Windows desktop icons keep moving?
Windows desktop icons may move for a number of reasons, and it can be frustrating when they seem to move for no apparent reason. Here are some possible reasons for this:
Automatic arrangement:
Windows has a feature to automatically arrange desktop icons. This feature can cause icons to move around, especially when the screen resolution is changed or when new icons are added. However, sometimes this feature can also cause unwanted shifts.
Changes in screen resolution:
Changing the screen resolution, such as when connecting or disconnecting a monitor or changing display settings, can cause Windows to rearrange the desktop icons.
Program crashes or reboots:
When programs crash or the operating system restarts, desktop icons can sometimes lose their position and may rearrange themselves when the desktop reloads.
Graphics driver problems:
Outdated or faulty graphics drivers can also cause problems with desktop icon layout.
Third-party software:
Sometimes third-party programs or background processes that access the desktop appearance can cause problems and cause icons to move.
Errors in the operating system:
In some cases, errors in the operating system itself can cause desktop icons to move.
To find out the exact cause of your desktop icons moving, you should try to identify the time of the move and check if there were any changes to your system's configuration at that time. You can also try different solutions such as disabling the automatic arrangement of icons or updating your graphics drivers to resolve the issue.
3.) A small checklist for problems with the desktop icons!
Quite annoying if you have problems with the arrangement of the desktop icons in Windows 10 or 11 when a monitor is connected. Here are some possible solutions you can try:
Disable automatic arrangement:
Windows has a feature to automatically arrange icons on the desktop. This feature can sometimes cause unwanted shifts. To disable this, right-click on the desktop, select "Display Settings" and uncheck "Automatically arrange icons."
Lock icon position:
Some third-party tools allow you to lock the position of desktop icons. These tools can prevent the icons from changing position when a monitor is connected.
Reorder by connection:
When you connect a monitor, the screen resolution may change. This may cause Windows to rearrange the desktop icons. Before connecting the monitor, try to arrange the desktop icons so that they do not overlap and maintain the desired position.
Update your graphics drivers:
Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to various problems, including problems with the arrangement of desktop icons.
Check the monitor settings:
Sometimes the monitor settings themselves can also play a role. Check the monitor's settings to make sure it is configured correctly.
Troubleshooting by reinstalling:
If the issue persists, you can try restarting Windows 10 or 11 to see if this resolves the issue. In some cases, reinstalling Windows can also help if the problem is deeper.
If none of these steps solve the problem, it could also be a software bug that may be waiting for a patch or update from Microsoft. In such cases, it may be helpful to search the Microsoft support site or forums for similar issues, or to contact Microsoft Support directly.
FAQ 253: Updated on: 26 August 2024 18:26
