Desktop Shortcut Won't Stay In Place

[hlewton]

I have a program that easily lets me get my desktop back to the configuration I want. So, this is no big problem.

However, there is always one pesky shortcut that will not stay in place. It will go along for days and then out of the blue, when the computer is booted up, it moves. I would not be posting this but it is always the same shortcut that does this. The Adobe Acrobat shortcut is the one that jumps from where I want it placed on the desktop and it does not matter where that place is. I have moved it to different locations and it still jumps out of formation. As mentioned, I would not be posting or asking for advice if it did this on only one of my computers, but that is not the case. Sooner or later, the Adobe Acrobat shortcut jumps around on all my computers. I do believe there must be a common problem with them but I have no idea what that could be. Any ideas how to anchor this shortcut to the desktop where I want it placed?

[HansV]

Does it always move to the same position?

[hlewton]

Does it always move to the same position?

I believe so but cannot say for certain. I am watching for that now, but it could take some time.

[HansV]

Let me know...

[hlewton]

Let me know...

Yes, I will as soon as it happens again. Thanks

[Jay Freedman]

If you aren't already using Desktop Restore to manage the icons, give it a try.
Desktop Restore at OlderGeeks.com

[hlewton]

If you aren't already using Desktop Restore to manage the icons, give it a try.
Desktop Restore at OlderGeeks.com

Thank you. I will look into it. I am using a utility called WinTidy. It will restore the desktop, but you have to do it manually by opening it and choosing the date of the saved desktop configuration you want. I always choose the most current date.

[hlewton]

Let me know...

I can finally answer this. Today 2 of my computers moved the Adobe Acrobat icon upon boot up. Yes they moved it to the same location they had before. Both computers, and I am betting the others, when they decide to move it again, always seem to move it to a location that is down and to the right of where I want it.

[JoeP]

Right click on the desktop and check your View and Sort settings.

[hlewton]

Right click on the desktop and check your View and Sort settings.

Thanks Joe but the only thing there that is checked is "small icons."

[HansV]

Are you sure that 'Auto arrange icons' has not been ticked?

S2605.png

And that none of the options in the 'Sort by' submenu has been ticked?

S2606.png

[hlewton]

Thanks Hans, But I am pretty sure. Please see attachment as to what I have checked and not checked.

desktop.jpg

[Leif]

Thanks Hans, But I am pretty sure. Please see attachment as to what I have checked and not checked.

That doesn't look like the standard W11 menu - are you running something to 'restore' your menus to W10?

[hlewton]

Thanks Hans, But I am pretty sure. Please see attachment as to what I have checked and not checked.

That doesn't look like the standard W11 menu - are you running something to 'restore' your menus to W10?

Yes, I run Start11 on my Windows 11 machines.

[JoeP]

Start11 claims to give you "complete control over your desktop". Perhaps there is a Start11 setting causing the issue.

[hlewton]

Start11 claims to give you "complete control over your desktop". Perhaps there is a Start11 setting causing the issue.

Thanks for the suggestion. Start11 has very few settings but I will take a look at them just to be sure.

[hlewton]

Start11 claims to give you "complete control over your desktop". Perhaps there is a Start11 setting causing the issue.

I looked all over Start11's styles, options and settings and found nothing to control the placement of icons on the desktop. Again, the only icon that moves is the Adobe Acrobat icon. I guess I should be calling these icons desktop shortcuts because that is what they are. However, they look like icons except for the little arrow on them indicating that they are shortcuts.

[JoeP]

I have noticed that the Acrobat shortcut gets re-created whenever Acrobat is updated. That might be what is happening to you. Updates are usually monthly.

[hlewton]

I have noticed that the Acrobat shortcut gets re-created whenever Acrobat is updated. That might be what is happening to you. Updates are usually monthly.

That's a great idea. I will try to notice. Problem is I never noticed when it updated but occasionally it does prompt me to make it my default PDF reader. maybe that is when it updates and also moves. Thank you.

[hlewton]

I have noticed that the Acrobat shortcut gets re-created whenever Acrobat is updated. That might be what is happening to you. Updates are usually monthly.

I have been thinking about this. The 2 computers where Acrobat moved this week are usually only turned on once a week to keep them updated to all my data file changes and all other external updates. So it makes sense they both moved at the same time after the last Acrobat update. It was the first time these computers were turned on following that update. I think you hit on something JoeP, thanks.