Solved Desktop placment of shortcut icons


TonyCzar

TonyCzar

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Win 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2894)
This is a very minor issue, one that arises only because I don't always keep up with housekeeping on my desktop.

I've noticed that some shortcut icons cluster near the beginning of my desktop icons while others are interspersed (see image). Does anyone know what causes this?

Shortcut placement on Desktop.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2894)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    This laptop is an HP 840
    CPU
    i7-1360p 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    HP Model 8B41 KBC Version 51.40.00
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth® Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    as outfitted
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (as recommended)
    Hard Drives
    one SSD 1TB
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    as outfitted
    Internet Speed
    800MB/sec up & down
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Device name REC-840
    Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1360P 2.20 GHz
    Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.6 GB usable)
    Product ID 00355-61334-62672-AAOEM
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points
Shortcuts, or any file really, on fhe All Users desktop will always be near the Recycle Bin, and the user’s desktop files will be after.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P, 2100 MHz
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    built-in Realtek HD audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint 21.2 (Cinnamon)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC8i5BEH
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8259U CPU @ 2.30GHz
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Iris Plus 655
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
pseymour said:
Shortcuts, or any file really, on fhe All Users desktop will always be near the Recycle Bin, and the user’s desktop files will be after.
Click to expand...
Hmmm. You've hit on a subject new to me. What are these different desktops?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2894)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    This laptop is an HP 840
    CPU
    i7-1360p 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    HP Model 8B41 KBC Version 51.40.00
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth® Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    as outfitted
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (as recommended)
    Hard Drives
    one SSD 1TB
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    as outfitted
    Internet Speed
    800MB/sec up & down
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Device name REC-840
    Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1360P 2.20 GHz
    Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.6 GB usable)
    Product ID 00355-61334-62672-AAOEM
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points
There no longer is an All Users Desktop folder.
It has been replaced by the Hidden Public Desktop under C:\Users\Public
If an app creates a shortcut for All Users, it will be in this folder rather than a shortcut only for that user in the User Name folder.
Shortcuts for All Users, as stated, will be closer to the Recycle bin.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 77000 3.60
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
    PSU
    850w PSU
    Case
    Cyberpower PC
    Cooling
    Water cooled
    Keyboard
    Backlit Cyberpower gamiong keyboard
    Mouse
    Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    1 GB mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
It appears to me you have autoarrange turned on. Right click on desktop>View> untick-autoarrange.
You can then rearrange your icons in some kind of order that fits your needs by dragging and dropping the icons wherever you want around the desktop.
That's a LOT of icons. I wouldn't be able to find anything. I suggest you make relevent folders on the desktop in some sort of organization. Then drag/drop the icons into the folders. I promise organizing makes your life easier. Once you get things organized, it is much easier to keep it that way when you add future shortcuts to the desktop. Once you see how much easier it makes for the desktop, you'll be more likely to organize your other personal folders as well.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2314
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I learned today that there was a reason for the Public Folders to exist, and that enabled me to solve my problem. Thank you one and all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2894)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    This laptop is an HP 840
    CPU
    i7-1360p 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    HP Model 8B41 KBC Version 51.40.00
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth® Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    as outfitted
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (as recommended)
    Hard Drives
    one SSD 1TB
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    as outfitted
    Internet Speed
    800MB/sec up & down
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Device name REC-840
    Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1360P 2.20 GHz
    Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.6 GB usable)
    Product ID 00355-61334-62672-AAOEM
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points
As a working Computer tech, I would occasionally go to a Client and find a desktop FULL of icons, usually a lot of documents.
I would then TRY to educate them on Desktop housekeeping. Create folders and put like files into those folders, and clean up the desktop.
I've done that for my own desktop, or there wouldn't be enough room for all the icons.

JFYI.... None of my Data files are actually on my C: drive. Only shortcuts to those Data Files (folders) are on my Desktop, so I can quickly and easily get to any of my data files with just one click on a shortcut to a folder.

Life is so much simpler, with a PC that's well organized. I began organizing my computers back in ~ 1980, and I'm still at it.
Data File backups are also much simpler when all the data files are categorized and saved to specific folders.

Cheers Mates!
TM :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

TechnoMage2021 said:
As a working Computer tech, I would occasionally go to a Client and find a desktop FULL of icons, usually a lot of documents.
I would then TRY to educate them on Desktop housekeeping. Create folders and put like files into those folders, and clean up the desktop.
I've done that for my own desktop, or there wouldn't be enough room for all the icons.

JFYI.... None of my Data files are actually on my C: drive. Only shortcuts to those Data Files (folders) are on my Desktop, so I can quickly and easily get to any of my data files with just one click on a shortcut to a folder.

Life is so much simpler, with a PC that's well organized. I began organizing my computers back in ~ 1980, and I'm still at it.
Data File backups are also much simpler when all the data files are categorized and saved to specific folders.

Cheers Mates!
TM :cool:
Click to expand...
Hi TM. It's safe to assume the state of my Desktop reflects the state of my mind. I do love "organized" but getting there mentally isn't as easy as Disk Cleanup. ;-)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2894)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    This laptop is an HP 840
    CPU
    i7-1360p 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    HP Model 8B41 KBC Version 51.40.00
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth® Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    as outfitted
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (as recommended)
    Hard Drives
    one SSD 1TB
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    as outfitted
    Internet Speed
    800MB/sec up & down
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Device name REC-840
    Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1360P 2.20 GHz
    Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.6 GB usable)
    Product ID 00355-61334-62672-AAOEM
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points
Spunk said:
There no longer is an All Users Desktop folder.
It has been replaced by the Hidden Public Desktop under C:\Users\Public
If an app creates a shortcut for All Users, it will be in this folder rather than a shortcut only for that user in the User Name folder.
Shortcuts for All Users, as stated, will be closer to the Recycle bin.
Click to expand...

I've used this piece of info dozens of times since your post, @Spunk. Many thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2894)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    This laptop is an HP 840
    CPU
    i7-1360p 2.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    HP Model 8B41 KBC Version 51.40.00
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth® Audio; Intel® Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio Intel® Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    as outfitted
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 (as recommended)
    Hard Drives
    one SSD 1TB
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    as outfitted
    Internet Speed
    800MB/sec up & down
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Device name REC-840
    Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1360P 2.20 GHz
    Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.6 GB usable)
    Product ID 00355-61334-62672-AAOEM
    System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points
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