On Windows 10 Desktop, the desktop icons may auto-arrange after computer reboot or desktop refresh (F5). When the symptom happens, all desktop icons are left justified, i.e. moved to the left side of the Desktop, and the icon size may also change to medium or small. The auto-moving of desktop icons happens despite the “auto arrange icons” option is not selected.
- Taskbar Icons Keep Refreshing
- Why Does My Taskbar Keep Refreshing Windows 10 Installation
- Windows 10 Keeps Refreshing Desktop
The exact cause of desktop icons switching locations randomly and without reason is not precisely known, else Microsoft would have fixes the issue or would ensure that the issue doesn’t occur. Thus, there is no “magic bullet” resolution that fixes desktop icons change location by itself issue once and for all.
This tutorial shows you the possible solutions for the desktop icons keep moving, changing location and rearranging to the left by Windows on refresh or reboot issue.
Resolution 1: Install All Windows Updates
Make sure that all updates, hotfixes or upgrades for the Windows operating system available from Windows Update has been installed. Some issues may have been recognized and fixed by the updates from Microsoft.
Resolution 2: Install Latest Device Drivers for Display Adapters
Outdated or corrupt device driver for display adapter or video card may cause issue to the display. For example, display resolution may be changed randomly, and when the resolution changes, it may cause Windows to rearrange the icons on the desktop. Download zoo tycoon 2 ultimate collection full version. In addition, high resolution display mode and multi-display support, which is common to modern system, may be lacking or not fully supported, contributing to the possible cause for desktop icons rearranging.
Windows Update may offer updates to popular graphics card, but for latest version, always check the manufacturer’s website.
Resolution 3: Disable Auto Arrange Icons
Right click on the blank space on Desktop, go to View and disable (uncheck) the Auto arrange icons.
Resolution 4: Rebuild Icon Cache
- In File Explorer or Command Prompt window, go to %UserProfile%AppDataLocal.
- Delete IconCache.db file.
- Restart the computer, and Windows system will rebuild the IconCache database with the new locations for icons.
Resolution 5: Rollback Device Driver
If the symptom of Desktop icons keep changing location happens after a upgrade of device driver, especially to graphics card, try to rollback to the older version. To do so, open WinX Quick Access menu, and select Device Manager. Then, expand the tree and double click on the device that its driver was recently updated. Go to Driver tab and hit the Roll Back Driver.
Resolution 6: Restore to Previous System Restore Point
If you have a System Protection Restore Point which the issue of desktop icons re-arrange to left on screen refresh or system reboot yet to happen, try to restore to that Restore Point to bring the system back to the state before the issue appeared.
Resolution 7: Disallow Themes to Change Desktop Icons
- Open Settings.
- Go to Personalization ->Themes.
- Scroll down to the bottom, and open Desktop icon settings link under “Related Settings”.
- In “Desktop Icon Settings” dialog, uncheck Allow themes to change desktop icons.
- Hit Apply or OK.
Resolution 8: Tweak Display Resolution and DPI Settings
Try to change the display resolution to its native resolution, and DPI back to 100%, especially if you’re using high DPI settings and ultra high resolution monitor.
Resolution 9: Resize Desktop Icons
Try to change the icon size on the Desktop, as the icons may not be appearing in proper size, making Windows confused. To try to resize the desktop icons, do one of the following:
- Select all the desktop icons, then press and hold on Ctrl key while scroll the mouse wheel to make the size bigger or smaller.
- Right click on the blank space of the Desktop, and select View on the contextual menu. Choose either Large icons, Medium icons or Small icons to change the size of desktop icons.
Restart the computer when done.
Resolution 9: Use Third Party Programs to Save and Restore Desktop Icons Position
If nothing helps to make the desktop icons location stick and static on reboot or refresh, there are several desktop management software that able to remember and save the desktop icons position, and restore them to original location if changed. Some of the programs include:
- DesktopOK – DesktopOK is a small but effective solution for user that have to change the screen resolution often, or users who often have to work with a projector on the notebook, laptop or tablet-PC, as changing resolution the icons will be messed up due to Windows not correctly restores the desktop icons position. DesktopOK saves your favorite icon locations for each screen resolution and restores them when changed.
- DeskSave (download dsksve8.zip) – DeskSave is an icon rearranging program that save desktop icon layout in order to restore it automatically in case it gets mixed up e.g. by changing screen resolution.
- Stardock Fences (commercial) – Fences allows user to automatically organize the desktop shortcuts and icons.
Frozen taskbar is an unresponsive state of the taskbar. You may have a frozen taskbar or unresponsive taskbar after a Windows change, such as the Windows 10 downgrade or upgrade, Windows 10 anniversary update, etc. The hobbit 2003 pc download. In this case, you fail to click on anything on the Windows taskbar, including the right clicking.
Well, the icons or the Start menu are dead and not clickable on such a frozen taskbar. How depressed! Since there are many users encountering the frozen taskbar issue on Windows 10, 8.1, 7, etc., today I will talk about how to fix a Windows frozen taskbar.
How to Fix the Windows Frozen Taskbar
Generally speaking, there are several factors that can result in taskbar not working, such as a wrong running of the Windows Explorer, the Frequent items on the Jump List, disabled services, etc. Here are 5 solutions for you to fix an unresponsive taskbar.
Method 1: Restart the Windows Explorer to Fix the Frozen Taskbar Issue
Since it is not convenient to click on the taskbar, you have to use some shortcut keys to solve the frozen taskbar issue.
- Use shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager.
- Select the Windows Explorer on the list and then click on the button Restart at the right bottom.
For some Windows OS, for example, Windows 7, you need to end the task manually and then run a new one:
- Right click on the Windows Explorer and select End task.
- Click File from the menu and select Run new task.
- Type explorer.exe into the pop-up dialog box and hit Enter or click on OK.
This can also help to end the unresponsive or frozen taskbar.
Method 2: Use Powershell to Fix the Frozen Taskbar Issue
- Use Windows shortcut keysWin + R to launch Run.
- Type powershell into the dialog box and hit Enter.
- Paste the command line below to the Windows PowerShell and hit Enter.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}
Wait until the repair is finished, and then you will find the frozen taskbar has been unfreezed.
Note: You should enable the Windows Firewall before the steps above. Go to Services tab on Task Manager to check if the service MpsSvc, whose description is Windows Firewall, is running.
Method 3: Enable the User Manager
Sometimes, the disabled User Manager will also result in a Windows frozen taskbar. So re-enable the User Manager to unfreeze the unresponsive or frozen taskbar.
- Use Windows shortcut keys Win + R to launch Run.
- Type services.msc into the box and press Enter.
- Double-click on the User Manager and select Automatic from Startup type.
- Click OK and then restart the PC.
Method 4: Disable Recently Opened Items
This method is for the right-click on the Start menu or the taskbar issue. If you fail to get the Jump List or the Context menu with a right click on the frozen taskbar, you may consider turning off the recently opened items and speeding up the list launch.
- Use Windows shortcut keys Win + I to open Settings.
- Select Personalization and then select Start tab from the left column.
- Disable the Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Star or the taskbar.
Method 5: Create a New User Account
Taskbar Icons Keep Refreshing
- Open Run with the Windows shortcut keys.
- Type cmd into the dialog box and press Enter.
- Type net user Admin123 Mypassword /add into Command Prompt and press Enter.
- Then type net localgroup Administrators Admin123 /add and press Enter.
Once finishing the settings, you’ve created a new user account named Admin123, whose password is Mypassword. Switch to the new user account with a replication of your data. After that you may find the Windows frozen taskbar issue has been solved.
Why Does My Taskbar Keep Refreshing Windows 10 Installation
Besides the methods above of resolving the frozen taskbar issue, it is also recommended to update the Windows OS and the drivers regularly, which can also help to free from other computer issues, like high disk usage, unidentified network, PC not waking up from sleep, etc.
That’s all about how to fix frozen taskbar on Windows OS. If you still have problems on the subject “frozen taskbar”, write to me via the comment.
Windows 10 Keeps Refreshing Desktop
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Hoping the pros here can help me with this weird problem.
For a while now, whenever I restart or boot up, while the main boot up goes relatively quickly, it takes a long, LONG time before any of the program/app icons appear on the taskbar. We're talking at least 5 minutes!
Also, I've noticed that when I try to access any of the options available when I right-click the Start button (command prompt, disk management, etc), none of them work. I can access these functions in other ways, but not by way of the Start button.
I've tried to have Microsoft tech support help me. So far I've reinstalled Windows twice (in-place and USB drive) and created a new user account. None of these things have fixed the problems.
One thing I am trying to avoid is a clean reinstallation. I have several programs that I've either lost the original installation CD/DVD or they've gotten damaged. So if I did a clean installation, I would lose those programs.
Any ideas here? I would be VERY appreciative of any and all constructive help!
For a while now, whenever I restart or boot up, while the main boot up goes relatively quickly, it takes a long, LONG time before any of the program/app icons appear on the taskbar. We're talking at least 5 minutes!
Also, I've noticed that when I try to access any of the options available when I right-click the Start button (command prompt, disk management, etc), none of them work. I can access these functions in other ways, but not by way of the Start button.
I've tried to have Microsoft tech support help me. So far I've reinstalled Windows twice (in-place and USB drive) and created a new user account. None of these things have fixed the problems.
One thing I am trying to avoid is a clean reinstallation. I have several programs that I've either lost the original installation CD/DVD or they've gotten damaged. So if I did a clean installation, I would lose those programs.
Any ideas here? I would be VERY appreciative of any and all constructive help!