Question

Windows Icons all bunched together

Asked by: submarinerssbn731

Hi,
I had a user attempt to adjust some of the settings for their desktop on Windows XP Pro.  Now all of the icons are bunched together and overlapping each other and you cannot tell what they are.  Is there a quick and easy way to get back to the original defaults?

Thanks

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Asked On
2009-04-15 at 09:57:26ID24325009
Topics

Microsoft Operating Systems

,

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
5
Points
500
Comments
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Answers

 

by: spamsterPosted on 2009-04-15 at 10:07:13ID: 24150292

I don't know of a "one-click" solution, but if you right-click on the desktop and choose properties (Opens 'Display Properties)
Then click the "Appearance" tab, followed by the "Advanced" button
Under "Item" drop-down box pick "Icon Spacing (Horizontal)" and set that to 43.
Then pick "Icon Spacing (Vertical)" and set that to 43 also
Click OK, and OK
Right-click on the desktop and check the option Arrange Icons By > Align to grid
Then r-click again and Refresh if it hasn't changed

 

by: submarinerssbn731Posted on 2009-04-15 at 10:09:40ID: 24150310

I will give it a try and let you know!  Thanks!

 

by: skywalker39Posted on 2009-04-15 at 10:11:08ID: 24150320

Hi submarinerssbn731,

Here's a link to check out that might help you out.
http://forum.soft32.com/win4/Desktop-Icons-Bunching-ftopict209858.html

 

by: Michael-BestPosted on 2009-04-15 at 10:49:04ID: 24150669

To re-enable, restore, show and display the Internet Explorer 7 (IE or IE7) desktop icon, here the step on how to do it:

Start registry editor by clicking on Start button, then select "Run". Type in "regedit" in the Open text box and hit "OK" or press "Enter".
Navigate to the following registry key:[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]If youre using classic theme or scheme, browse to the following registry location instead:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]

If the above key doesn't exist, create a new key.

Edit or create a DWORD (32-bit) value named {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} and set it with value of 0 (dword:00000000).
Refresh Windows Vista desktop by pressing F5 or right click on desktop and click Refresh.
You will see the IE or IE7 icon has been put back on desktop.

Alternatively, copy and paste the below code to a text file and save it as a file name with .reg extension. Then double click on the file to merge the data to the registry. After refreshing desktop, IE7 desktop icon will be back on view.


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000000


Or for classic Windows desktop:


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000000


The trick is also used to restore IE desktop icon in Windows XP SP3.

 

by: Michael-BestPosted on 2009-04-15 at 10:59:12ID: 24150784

Sorry, you want "easy"

Run the: Microsoft "FULL SERVICE SCAN"
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

 

by: bradl3yPosted on 2009-04-15 at 12:13:28ID: 24151544

@Michael-Best: I think you have misunderstood his issue, he is not missing the IE icon, all of his icons are messed up, indicating that the icon spacing setting was changed to a low value in display properties.

I believe a way to restore this to default would be to simply switch to a different theme, then switch back.

For windows XP using the default Windows XP Style theme: Right click on the desktop background, go to "Appearance" then "Advanced". Change "Windows XP Style" to "Windows Classic Style", apply, then change it back.

 

by: bradl3yPosted on 2009-04-15 at 12:20:19ID: 24151610

I've tested and changing the theme keeps your current icon spacing intact. You will have to manually reset his settings.

Mine were set as follows:

Icon Spacing Horizontal: 43
Icon Spacing Verticle: 43

I had to restart explorer in order to make this change take effect, so if it doesn't work right away either reboot the computer or go into task manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del) processes tab, and find and "End Task" on the explorer.exe process. Once it has ended, just go to File>New Task and type explorer.exe to restart explorer.

 

by: computrexPosted on 2009-04-15 at 13:35:18ID: 24152281

You can also try right clicking on a blank spot on the desktop -> Arrange Icons By -> Auto Arrange.  That will align them to a grid based on your icon spacing setting.  If you dont want to leave the setting on, do the same process again, and this time uncheck it.

 

by: submarinerssbn731Posted on 2009-04-23 at 05:24:57ID: 31570570

All good answers!!! Thanks!!!

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