Solved Renaming any Desktop object makes it snap to the left side of the screen...

johnnyzero2 · 2025-04-05T17:16:09-0400

I'm experiencing this same issue on two different machines that I recently upgraded Win10 -> Win11.

I see posts about this issue all over the place, but none with any solution. And yes, I have Auto-Arrange disabled and Sort By set to None. And I've tried it with Snap-To-Grid enabled/disabled. No effect.

Anybody?

Berton · 2025-04-05T17:35:40-0400

A third-party solution for managing desktop icons may be necessary. Main thing with the desktop it is not Static like a picture on the wall but Dynamic, always changing or refreshing which may not be seen. Making any change to the Desktop contents will change the icon line-up.

johnnyzero2 · 2025-04-05T17:47:00-0400

Berton said:
Making any change to the Desktop contents will change the icon line-up.

I'm pretty sure that's not true, unless Auto-Arrange and/or Sort By is enabled. But thanks anyway.

krism · 2025-04-05T17:56:58-0400

Could I see a screenshot of your full desktop with a circle around the offending icon.
Could I also see a screenshot of rt click desktop mouse-over View.

johnnyzero2 · 2025-04-05T18:19:57-0400

krism said:
Could I see a screenshot of your full desktop with a circle around the offending icon.

There is no one "offending icon". This issue occurs if I try to rename ANY file on the Desktop. Interestingly, it does not occur if I try to rename a folder or shortcut.

krism said:
Could I also see a screenshot of rt click desktop mouse-over View.

krism · 2025-04-05T18:21:43-0400

add a check mark by "Align icons to grid"

edit: with no grid, rename will snap to left edge and you will have to manually place it where you want.

johnnyzero2 · 2025-04-05T18:26:13-0400

krism said:
add a check mark by "Align icons to grid"

No go. As I said in my original post, I've tried it with Align to Grid both enabled & disabled.

krism · 2025-04-05T18:29:56-0400

set align to grid, rename one and then take full desktop screenshot.

johnnyzero2 · 2025-04-05T19:57:00-0400

Update: Upon further research, apparently this is a known, unresolved bug in Windows 11.

It seems to be related to the Recent Items feature. After hours trying to troubleshoot this on multiple machines, I can confirm: if you rename a Desktop file and that file happens to be in your Recent Items list, it will jump to the left side of the Desktop.

For many users, including myself, disabling the Recent Items feature isn't a great option. So I guess I'll just have to deal with it until Microsoft sees fit to fix it. Amazing that they've let it go this long.

Thanks to all who offered their help.

krism · 2025-04-05T22:21:41-0400

possibly caused by copilot(which I don't use).

johnnyzero2 · 2025-04-05T22:28:35-0400

krism said:
possibly caused by copilot(which I don't use).

Copilot uninstalled on both machines, so I don't think that's the culprit. But thanks.

krism · 2025-04-05T22:30:01-0400

hmmmmm. Thanks for that!

krism · 2025-04-05T22:37:38-0400

So why doesn't it happen to more people? Would you be willing to share a list of the apps on your computer(s)?

dacrone · 2025-04-05T22:59:43-0400

It does. It’s been a problem for over a decade. Go into desktop icon settings in personalization > themes and uncheck recycle bin. Won’t make your icons default to the left side no matter what actions you take. It has something to do with the Desktop and the higher echelon Desktop’s 2 .ini files not updating properly. I never did find a permanent fix for this aside from what I just stated and creating a symlink to the recycle bin on the desktop. But I just canned that too and put it in my explorer navigation pane

krism · 2025-04-05T23:07:03-0400

The only thing I have checked is the recycle bin and if I have ever experienced this it may have only been once. Why not more?

dacrone · 2025-04-05T23:16:52-0400

Dunno. But definitely an issue. Even brought up on this forum before. I’m sure it’s on tenforum too.

Placing an item on desktop (sometimes) displaces desktop icons

I have an odd issue that I cannot seem to determine a cause for. Wondering if anyone else has noticed this, and more importantly, identified a solution. Scenario: Windows 11 22H2 with the latest (Nov 2022) updates. I have no shell enhancements or programs installed that should alter the...

www.elevenforum.com

krism · 2025-04-06T00:42:12-0400

Well, good to know about. Thanks for your info!

wiganken · 2025-04-06T03:37:03-0400

Same thing happens on my two devices as well. I just accept it and move the item back to where I want it.
It has happened on both 23H2 and 24H2 on my devices. It may have been around before 23H2.
I know it doesn't solve your question but just to confirm it happens to others as well.

Solved Renaming any Desktop object makes it snap to the left side of the screen...

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