Save and Restore Desktop Icon Layout in Windows Vista
If you switch resolutions a lot you’ve probably experienced the problem with Windows moving your icons around every time it switches to a lower resolution, such as when playing a video game or hooking up your laptop to an external display.
With a little tweak that originally came from the resource kit, we can add a menu that will let us save and restore the desktop icon positions by right-clicking on the Computer item on the start menu (or desktop icon).
Install
Download and extract the zip file, and then copy Layout.dll into your C:\Windows\System32\ directory, assuming you’ve installed Vista on your C: drive.
Next, you’ll need to double-click on the Layout.reg file, which will add the contents to the registry.
Now when you right-click on the Computer entry in the start menu, you’ll see two new items for “Save Desktop Icon Layout” and “Restore Desktop Icon Layout”. Arrange your icons the way you’d like them, and then click the Save layout menu item.
To prove that it works, move your icons around and jumble them up…
Now when you choose the Restore option, your icons will go right back to where they were when you saved them:
Extremely handy!
Download Install
Download Layout.zip and follow the instructions above. Note that this version does not work for 64bit.
Installer for 64-bit Windows
Download setup.exe from amip.tools-for.net. Note that this is a different install than layout.zip.
Uninstall
Download UninstallDesktopLayout.zip, extract and double-click on the registry file. You’ll have to logout and back in to see the change. You should also delete layout.dll manually.
This tweak should also work on Windows XP
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There’s a change you can make to the reg file to add the ’save desktop’ option to the right-click menu of the desktop itself:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\IconLayout]
@=”{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”
I think it’s more intuitive to right-click on the desktop itself in order to save desktop icon layout than to remember to right-click on My Computer (or the Recycle Bin).
The uninstall tweak needed would be a reg file to delete these keys added by the original file.
Bob,
Thanks! You are absolutely right. I’ll update the zipfile and article in a little while.
Hi Geek: Nice looking website! I’ll look forward to seeing you up in Maine over the weekend – Uncle Jim
Couldn’t make ‘Save and Restore Desktop Icon Layout in Windows Vista’ work in Vista 64.
As Petarsus says, this workn´t on Vista 64…
UltraMon has this feature and it’s much easier to use (all it takes is 2 clicks).
I made a 64-bit version of DIPS tool which does the same:
http://amip.tools-for.net/files/dips64/
Works perfectly on my 64-bit Vista.
Will not work on 32-bit systems.
Wahoo, an icon saver that works with Vista 64. Thank you Serge.
Serge you are the master, works like a dream
Serge – many THX
Wanted to say thanks to Serge for the dips utility for 64. Brilliant.
Serge, can an ‘advanced amatuer’ like me get in and edit the menu commands to read ‘Restore’ icon positions instead of Resore. But then ‘Resore’ does kinda grow on you …
GarethW
I’ve uploaded a fixed version. Just reinstall.
Or change this reg key manually:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\IconRestore]
@=”Restore Icon Positions”
“Extended”=”"
Doesn’t work for me.
Windows Vista Enterprise 64
Does it require Vista Ultimate?
I wonder if a Microsoft patch broke this? I had added a right-click, “Command Prompt”, to the system icons, but that also is gone.
My dips64 works fine here with all the latest updates. Try disabling UAC, though I don’t think it’s related. Enterprise Vista should be also supported, but I didn’t test it.
Got it…
After the install, it instructs to push Shift+right-click, which produces a menu without the options.
I have to push CTRL+Shift+right-click. This produces not only your Save/Restore Icons, but also my missing Command Prompt.
Thank you very much. I used Iconlock way back when in an earlier OS (win95). The need has been around for many years. You would think by Vista, even Microsoft would have realized it should be a standard little feature.
On checking back appeared your latest version eliminates need to use key so downloaded and reinstalled only to notice my previous layout.dll had disappeared from system32 (and of course no icon utility present in menu). Tune-Up utilities a possible culprit?
Now, with the latest layout.dll file installed I get nothing re Icons in the Computer menu whether I use ‘r-click’, ‘alt+r-click’ or ‘ctrl+shift+r-click. The .reg file appeared to function as expected but there were no ensuing instructions re what keys to use to access the Icon Save/Restore function. Checked the registry and found two identical entries at different places under CLSID\InProcServer32 of two lines each: 1st line (Default) REG_SZ layout.dll 2nd line ThreadingModel REG_SZ Apartment. If you can find the time a clue would be appreciated as I have been very grateful to have this little utility on several occasions already. Regards.
Sorry, first line should read the SHIFT key.
This is exactly the tweak I was looking for. I am wondering if it will encounter problems if a file, folder, or prog that was saved to the desktop is removed. Has anyone tried this out? Please post.
Cool tweak.
Sadly, it has a weird behavior on my Vista Ultimate dual monitor. It seems to be able to restore icons to their original place when moved from Monitor 2 to Monitor 1 but not the opposite: I move the My Computer icon to monitor 2 and it was restore to anywhere in monitor 1.
Also, I can move as many icons as I want in monitor 1 and nothing gets restored the way it was .
Thanks
I bought a new HP Pavillion a couple of days ago and just tried this and it works like a dream.
I am installing lots programs so my icons were getting bumped all over the place.
thanks a lot,
Mike
doesn’t work in vista 32bit…
Was just wondering if the author has updated the file with the right-click on the desktop function and the un-install function? Thanks.
Serge’s app was last updated Sept 6. It only works with Vista x64.
The other (Layout.dll) is an old NT4 file that works with Windows XP x32 and Vista x32 and is not supported by anyone.
To register it to appear on both the desktop right-click and the MyComputer icon right-click, use the following reg-file contents.
REGEDIT4
; This registers the DLL
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}]
@=”Desktop Icon Layout”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}\InProcServer32]
@=”Layout.dll”
“ThreadingModel”=”Apartment”
; These next two add it to the My Computer right-click
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\IconLayout]
@=”{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved]
“{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”=”Desktop Icon Layout”
; This adds it to the Desktop right-click
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\IconLayout]
@=”{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”
I can’t get dips64 working under XP x64, no special context menu appears, just the usual desktop one… any ideas?
Vista has complex menus. There’s more than just one standard right-click menu.
Plus, try both right-clicking a system icon like My Computer and try right-clicking an empty spot on the desktop.
Also, I’ll have to check, but I’m wondering if the menus with Vista 32-bit are different than 64-bit. I have Ultimate 64-bit at home, and Business 32-bit (company laptop) in front of me. I could swear they’re different hot-keys to get the various menus.
On this Business-x32, there’s only a right-click and a Shift+right-click.
On my Ultimate x64, seems like it required Ctrl+Shift+right-click to get the save icon item.
And it seems like there were Alt+right-click and Ctrl+right-click menus, but I’ll have to check.
The point: experiment with combinations. You’ll find it somewhere.
JeffO
Another workaround for dips64 if you don’t have menu items. Create shortcuts for “dips64.exe S” – save icons and “dips64.exe R” – restore icons. dips64.exe is in your Program Files\DIPS64 after you install it.
I have created a quick bar on the LHS of one of my displays (I use a multimon setup) and every single time I reboot my vista machine, it shifts the desktop icons one spot to the right! Extremely annoying! Is there any way to automate using this DLL to restore the icon position each and every time I reboot? I’d be much happier than being reminded every time I reboot with bad icon positions and having to restore it manually.
This would be possible, I believe, but it would require knowledge of “entry points” in the Desktop icon Saver you’re using (LAYOUT.DLL or dips64).
I’m using LAYOUT.DLL with Windows XP, here at work, and I haven’t found the proper command.
Reference: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/164787
I tried several commands…
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL restoreicons
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL restoredesktopicons
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL restoredesktop
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL -r
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL -R
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL,DllGetClassObject -restoreicons
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL,DllGetClassObject -restoredesktopicons
Rundll32 LAYOUT.DLL,DllGetClassObject -restoredesktop
… and a multitude of others.
I don’t know what the secret is.
Yes I’ve tried a couple of DLL examination tools to look for entry points and didn’t find anything useful. Only a load DLL function and an unload DLL function.
Great tool! The only feature missing is the ability to save multiple layouts as I keep switching between my external monitor and just my laptop screen (when on the road) so it would be perfect if I could save a layout for each screen resolution i’m using and restore the desired layout when needed. It would also allow me to have a special layout for when i`m doing demos to clients.
Is the source code available for this tool?
Hi,
Just thought I’d drop you a line and let you know that…..I’ve tried this numerous times now, followed your directions to a “T”, and I have yet to get it to work in any way, shape or form. I don’t even get the extra options in the menu no matter where I put the cursor and click.
Any ideas? And yes….it’s Vista!
Best Regards
Dennis
Hi again,
Just a quick note here. My earlier post was in regards to the “Layout.dll” method.
And…..as *another* quick note here, I just followed someone else’s information on the “dips 64″ and it works GREAT!!!! I’ve use the older version simply called “dips” for years now, even on XP, however, as most of you have probably already found out, it doesn’t work on Vista. But DIPS 64 sure does and I’m very grateful for the info and the file. I was starting to really get hot under the collar with my icons taking off everytime something changed a bit.
Thanks!
Dennis
Dennis,
So this version only works in 32-bit Vista, I assume? That’s not too surprising, I should update the article though.
Hi,
I’m going to have to assume that your correct on that since I *am* using Vista Ultimate 64 bit. Neat trick but was really frustrated when it wouldn’t work on my system since I was fast approaching the point of getting the ole 40 cal. S&W out and doing a number on my icons! (thought maybe if I shot them, they’d quit moving around! :-> )
Anyway, great site and thanks for the extremely fast response!
Best Regards
Dennis
On my Vista Ultimate 64, I’ve noticed that the menu shortcuts often aren’t there. I have to keep doing the key combination several times before it shows up.
I don’t fault dips64 at all. Vista is a squirrely OS. In its current SP0 state, as far as I’m concerned it’s just another beta. Not-ready-for-primetime.
The fact that we need such an icon-saver so badly points out how flaky Vista is.
Although, my Vista Business 32-bit is less squirrely, it has issues too.
Hi JeffO,
Here’s what I believe is a solution to your problem! Since you installed dips64…..if you saved or still have the download, use winrar or similar software to “open” that download and inside you will find the “exe”, left click on it and send a shortcut to the desktop, put it where you want it, then double click it just like you would do with the old version of “dips” and you will get the SAME little window with the “SAVE” and “RESTORE” buttons on it.
I was SO relieved to find out about this program and when I saw that same little window, I knew my icon problems were over. The guy that wrote that little program deserves a pat on the back and a whole lot of praise!
Correction!!! I meant “right click” ( “open” that download and inside you will find the “exe”, left click on it and send a shortcut to the desktop, )
I feel like a dumby – so used to archive files being ZIP, RAR, etc. that I forgot to check to see if it was a self-extracting archive. Thanks for the suggestion. It will definitley fix my problem.
LOL……no need to feel like a dumby, we’re all human and we all forget things from time to time. Heck, I’d have to the hospital and have a couple more gigs of memory installed in order to remember everything! :->
I’ve used this Layout tweak for a number of years, and while it works perfectly. Why the hell hasn’t Microsoft included this in Vista is a total mystery, given the other useless changes made to the UI.
I’ve used this Layout tweak for a number of years, and while it works perfectly, using a system or registry maintenance tool often disables the tweak (double-clicking the reg file makes it work again, though).
Why Microsoft hasn’t included this in Vista as a standard right-click option is a total mystery, given the other superfluous changes made to the UI.
how to delete references when you don’t need this fine toy anymore?
Found out it was a permission problem on my XP machine
Please let me know how to take references off.
Thx!
Everybody,
I’ve added an uninstaller registry file to the article for download.
I have a question, I was wondering where this information if saved on the hard disk ? I have restored my desktop from a backup put I would like to restore the icon positions as well
Vista x64
Thank you
Serge – thx for this. I echo everyone’s comments here that this is a tremendous addition. You should commercialize this product, adding some of these additional features and support for multiple monitors etc – I’m sure everyone on here would buy it.
FYI – The current utility works great as long as you stay “within its bounds”. I noticed if you do something like drag an icon to a dual monitor is screws everything up, and multiple DIPS processes show up in your task manager. At one point, I had 23 DIPS.exe processes running concurrently.
I just wanted to say that I use dual monitors (2 X 1920 X 1200) and I have had no issues at all, icons are restored properly. I use Vista x64.
Ive got a strange bug.
I tested a few Icon layout saver (This one is the best by the way) but they all have the same bug.
When i restore the icon layout about 80% of the icons are right, but some are at the place of others.
So 2 icons on one place or even worse, the icons that should be there are randomly placed on the screen.
Im using Vista 32 with 2 monitors, 1920×1200 and 1280×1024.
Also as i wanted to copy the layout.dll in the system32 folder it says there is already one and its being used, so i cant overwrite it.
Maybe the file of the old version of this icon layout saver (I used it with XP).
While i write this ive got an idea..
The idea didnt work, hope someone could help me.
Absolut genial !
in den Zeiten wo Grafikhersteller jeden Monat neue Treiber herausbringen ist dieses Tool unverzichtbar.
Die beiden Tools arbeiten bei meiner Konfiguration (Vista Ultimate SP1 x86 und x64 mit 2 Monitoren bei 1680×1050 und 1280×1024) einwandfrei.
Danke !
Definitely brilliantly!
in the times where graphic manufacturer every month new drivers bring out this tool is indispensably.
Both tools work with my configuration (Vista Ultimate SP1 x86 and x64 with 2 monitors with 1680×1050 and 1280×1024) perfectly.
Thanks!
It would be good if you could lock a group of icons, not all of them.
you can then allow windows to rearrange most except the ones locked.
Nice. Is there a similar utility to restore window positions?
Hi, let me congratulate you for this excelent work, but i think it lacks only one feature to be perfect.
I have a tablet PC and i’m always changing resolutions. It would be very helpfull if the program coud save 2 screen layouts acording to the Vertical or Horizontal resolutions of the tablet.
Then it would be awsome if automaticly react to screen orientation and autoload the correct layout.
Then this youd be the PERFECT application.
Regards.
Trying to install the icon restore layout but have a problem. I know it is me. When i try to install the layout.dill I can get to System32 but cannot find the directory. Believe it may be that I should install it in System32 but need to know for sure.
Thanks
Yes, for LAYOUT.DLL, copy the file into C:\Windows\System32\
Make sure you register the file by merging the REG file: LAYOUT.REG
This registers the DLL file and gives a right-click menu.
This, of course is for 32-bit Windows.
LAYOUT.DLL won’t work on 64-bit systems.
For 64-bit, use Serge’s icon saver (posted above)…
http://amip.tools-for.net/files/dips64/
Nice! Worked like a champ for me. So: what’s the equivalent for XP?
Quote: “This tweak should also work on Windows XP.”
It does
Fantastic, after N changes of the desktop and N times trying to restore it myself I searched and found this tweak. Soooooooooooo Happy!
Thanks you did a great job!
Rudolf
A little too quick conclusion Rudolf.
I assume that saving a desktop view, directly followed by a restore should show zero differences, well sometimes not and I’ve seen 1 upto 4 icons change.
I like the save/restore util, but what’s the real problem? On the internetI read something about “screen resolution changes” could produce the desktop clutter.
I installed fresh ati Catalyst software hoping that would make the difference
Wishing you success in finding the real problem
Rudolf.
using both xp x32 and vista x64 here. the geeks version is working fantastic on xp! is there a way to make serges dips64 work without using SHIFT + RMB? so just a default shift on the desktop brings it up? and also to separate it from the other menu items as the geeks is?
any info would be great!
“so just a default shift on the desktop brings it up?”
er that should be “so just a default RMB on the desktop brings it up?” DOH! :S
Bob’s suggestion … [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\IconLayout]
@=”{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”
is absolutely mandatory for anyone on multiple monitors like I am (3). Clicking on the desktop makes a lot more sense than having to locate one of the “right” icons to allow you to fix this.
You said you would update the zip. That hasn’t happened yet. If I didn’t read Bob’s comment, I would have still been scratching my noggin.
The service offered by the Geek the “Save and Restore Desktop Icon Layout” in Windows Vista didn’t fulfil my expectations.
I searched the web and found “desksave8.zip” from Thorsten Blauhut. That program works flawlessly and fills in my needs. http://www.desksave.de
Rudolf
Hey GeminiAlpa, nice advertisement for your friends software application. Too bad it doesn’t work on Vista x64, which is the primary value in this solution, as there are plenty of others that work in Vista 32 bit.
Nice link, GeminiAlpa – thanks
access denied when I tried to replace the original layout.dll with the new one. I am the administrq tor for this PC……….can’t figure out how to replace it…………
Not sure why/how you’re having this problem, but if you unregister layout.dll, and turn off System Restore, then reboot, you ought to be able to replace it.
Then turn System Restore back on and re-register layout.dll.
Vista Ultimate 32 bit, tried the installation twice without success even after re-booting options would never appear.
If the options do not appear on right click of your Start button, try RIGHT CLICK recycle button.
I found them there.
Brian
Thanks a lot! Works perfectly. This have bothered me for months.
Nice tool!
I use it on my EeePc under XP, but I have one question:
The postions are scrumbled after every reboot. How can I restore all Icon postions automatically after Windows start ?
A BIG THANK!!
I was so annoyed to get my careful icon positioning screwed up every time I used my laptop with an external display!
Your tool finally solved my problem.
Thanks again
baru
Where does it save the desktop icon layout?
Works nice on Win Vista 64 bits Home Premium. Many thanks. Good job.
> “Where does it save the desktop icon layout?”
I believe it’s at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\IconLayout.
How do I restore the toolbar on the lower right side of my desktop. This is where I had the date and time, the Norton security icon, ect. showing. I want these items to appear back where I had them.
Thanks.
Rebecca Elisa Watson
I followed your instructions. After copying .dll and running LAYOUT.REG I got no messages; I even restarted the laptop. I have Vista 32 bit.
I can see no menu items as described whether I try right-click or other CTRL/ALT/SHIFT combinations.
Is there anything more I can do?
Great, i finally find solution for 64 bit Vista. Works well, thanks a lot.
@Rebecca: You can try the steps at http://www.vistax64.com/tutori.....icons.html under “To Show All System Tray Icons”.
Serge’s app for 64-bit Vista nearly works. When I do a restore all the icons are restored to original position except for Windows Mail which moves from its original position to the other side of the screen.
The crux of icon positioning is that you have to have an anchor – two sides (one corner). All things must be static.
Well, Windows isn’t static. It’s a bit jittery. Windows has its own way of deciding where to position things, independent of icon layout savers.
So it’s not possible for any icon layout saver to operate perfectly.
One of my Vista qirks is it used to enjoy changing resolutions on me. My video card drivers and Windows kept fighting over what they thought was optimal. If any screen parameter changes – resolution, icon size, text DPI, etc. – it throws off the entire icon layout restore.
Add application-specific quirks like Windows Mail having its own idea where its icon ought to end up adds another layer of trouble.
I’m very satisfied with both Serge’s 64-bit freebie and Microsoft’s old layout.dll, considering the difficulties. Sure beats the old days when there was never any potential rescue from icon hell.
Microsoft’s solution for the past 10 years has been to retrain everyone to stop putting icons on the Desktop.
great !!!
a little bug: if my dt has two files, “notepad” and “notepad admin” the restore restores the latter (correctly) but leaves the former unchanged.
work-around: rename to notepad.x and notepad.admin makes it work. probably other renamings? also seems to work if i replace the “.” with blank space. so bug is when one filename matches the beginning of another.
[non expert comment] Works great on Home Premium, but…I have same problem as Brian–commands show up under My Computer and Recycle Bin but not on Desktop right click. How to move from Recycle to Desktop?
david, read the first post in this thread.
The registry entries would not install on my vista puter.
Any help on that?
Thanks minorgeek, I saw that. But since I’m not (yet) all that familiar with working in the registry, I don’t actually know how to add that. Nor do I know where or how to modify the registry to take out the commands associated with the recycle bin. I was hoping for an easy fix; looks like I need to get more educated.
actually, david, you need only copy and past from that post into a text file named something.reg. then right click it, select merge. it uses the program reg which exports/imports registry info, in this case importing and creating a new key. regedit is for interactive editing, which is fine to do…but back up anything before changing! system restore point to back up full registry. to back up just one key, right click that key and select export. it creates a .reg file that can be merged to change it back to original. i’m sure there are articles on microsoft.com good luck!
ok, im trying to get the shortcuts onto the right click on desktop, and cant seem to get it there. Im running vista home premium 32bit and when i go into the registry, i can seem to find the correct entry. i even did as minorgeek suggested and copied and pasted the thing from bob and tried to merge that, but it didnt work.
Any ideas?
Thanks again minorgeek. Didn’t work. I created the file as you said, and the icon looked like a reg file, but I got an error message when I tried to either merge or import saying it was NOT a reg file…so, I got brave, created a new “IconLayout” entry at the appropriate place and simply copied in the value. Worked like a charm. Now I’ll tackle getting the command out of the recycle bin!
Icarusforde–hope this helps you. But do as minorgeek suggests and BACKUP FIRST!
I have Vista 32 and it doesn’t work. The icons that I moved since saving layout don’t go back and a few Icons that were at the right place move behind other Icons. Weird.
Terraromaster-
I posted a note August 15, 2008. Nobody responded to that. I’ll keep watching to see if anyone responds to yours. Here’s hoping.
terraromaster,
> have Vista 32 and it doesn’t work
so do i. works well.
> icons that I moved since saving layout don’t go back
yes, of course. if you havent’ saved, you can’t restore.
>a few Icons that were at the right place move behind other Icons
perhaps because of above. and as i’ve said here, it’s not perfect. if you have two icons where one’s name is the beginning of another’s, it moves only one. still, great to click and see ‘em come back almost just right.
good luck!
Bruce and Terraromaster appear to have different problems. Bruce has nothing whereas I understand T’s problem to be that he has the menu items, but either or both of them don’t work.
Have you both checked the registry to see if the correct entries exist (were they merged/imported correctly)?
It can’t work under DreamScene desktop(Vista Ultimate Plus)…..
I had lost my Icon on the desktop. How I can restore back. Some one can help me. I had tried to do the restore that command does not work.
Thanks
Paul
This is for Win VIsta Home Basic
Many thanks for posting this! It’s freaking awesome.
not working, the icons become scrambled after i try using it.
i only am using 1 monitor, no idea what’s wrong.
vista.
I’ve seen this behavior, but it has only happened to me when I’ve saved the icon postions, then changed the screen resolution. If the resolution changes, it will through off all the positions, so the restore will not put them back right.
Every time you change your resolution, you have to save again.
If that is not your situation, then I don’t know what could cause your problem.
When I first had Vista, Vista kept lowering my resolution one notch. I read that Microsoft had decided for us what was optimal for all 22″ monitors. So every time I booted, Vista would lower it to Microsoft’s ideal. But ideal resolution is determined by physical properties of monitors. It has nothing to do with operating systems, except that some drivers and video cards are capable and some aren’t. But Vista stopped doing that, so I suspect Microsoft patched Vista to leave the resolution alone.
Did your resolution change? Do you have all the Vista patches?
my resolution has never changed.
and yes, i have all the vista patches.
hello
I just installed it on my Vista Ultimate 64bit and it works!!! Nice tool!
Regards
Seems this is a cause for “Cross-Thread Deadlock” within Explorer.exe, DWM.exe and Explorer.exe will cease to respond then crash, have to restart Explorer.exe a couple times until it functions properly.
Would be nice to see an updated version of Layout.dll to work in conjunction with Vista32/64, not sure about XP and Quad Cores.
Quad Core Q6600 is what I use.
Wow! thanks
Simple excellent tool. You would think the Evil Empire would figure something like this out. Anyhoo, Thanks Again!!
@jay – this is the Microsoft who put a Delete option on the Recycle Bin in Vista which deletes the icon from the Desktop. Wasn’t there in XP. What a great UI improvement!
Desktop Icon S&R works fine on my VISTA 32 bit computer. But I mistakenly installed the 32bit ver on my VISTA 64 bit computer, before I realized there was a 64 bit version available. I ran the uninstaller, but it looked like it was inserting “uninstall” files in the reg. Then when I installed the 64 bit version, it doesn’t work. Maybe the uninstaller is 32 bit and didn’t properly “clean up” my 32 bit install on my 64 bit system. Any ideas?
I used Icon restore v1.0 on my winXp 32 bit system and it worked great for me everytime, I installed the same version on my Vista Ultimate 64 bit system without realising is was the 32 bit software I was installing obviously it did not work so I removed it and tried this version for 64bit
it still does not work, although it installs and the restore/save features are there under shift/right click, if I save the desktop layout and then move a few icons and then click restore it not only moves the icons back but also moves other icons that were already saved but unmoved.
I have read through this whole link at everyones messages and did not find anything that would help at all so I am at a loss.
I will save this page and hope that someone has a easy resolve for this problem, in th emean time I will search for other software and see what else is out there, but I do agree with that microsoft should have added this simple task within its operating systems, it begger belief they did not.
If anyone has a simple solution to this problem then please by all means email me, I would appreciate any help.
Thanks Paul.S
Thank you. This is a very handy utility.
Well I got a solution finally and downloaded this small tool “DeskSave” which in my opinion does the job great for me on Vista Ultimate 64-bit, here is the link incase anyone else would appreciate it if they are having problems with any other similar software……
http://www.desksave.de/
Regards PaulS
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I have wanted something like this for years but the solutions were always so hard to setup. Thank you so much!
Just tried the icon restore… file copied and installed fine… no problem following directions… right click and “saved” icon layout… am NOT getting the “icon layout saved” message… Uninstalled/reinstalled… same issue… any suggestions? -LeChat
I have XP. I followed the instructions but the two items do not show up in the computer list. I am not a techie, so I don’t know if I have 32 or 64 bit.
Try DeskSave – http://www.desksave.de/
It’s an easier installation, more reliable, and you can save multiple layouts. Works with Windows 98, 2000, XP and Vista, 32 and 64 bit.
I’m not spamming, I just used the registry method for years and found DeskSave a better solution.
I’ve gotten to the point in the instructions where it says to click on layout.reg and it will be entered into the registry. But instead of the view shown above, I get prompted to tell Vista which program to use to run layout.reg. I have no idea which program to use. Should this be automatic?
The reason Microsoft hasent thought of this yet is they realize that nobody uses the desktop anymore (sarcasm). No need, now that all the programs are sorted so perfectly in the start menu as well as the user folder…why would you need to go back and look at your desktop when everythign else is soooo perfectly positioned. (more sarcasm).
Just instaleld windows 7 and realized that the quicklaunch bar is no longer there by default. I guess they decided no one uses that either.
I am glad they are looking out for us and removing all these annoying user friendly features.
I think the Quick Launch bar (which most PCs I see don’t have enabled) has evolved/devolved into Taskbar-like buttons which just become highlighted when you open the program that’s pinned there. Whether it proves to be as useful and intuitive as Quick Launch remains to be seen. I already dislike the new Start Menu design.
I’m sure more people still like to use the Desktop area to pin program icons on and make folders.
Can’t get the DLL and REG to associate. This has been a frustrating experience, as the “fix” is just as difficult to understand as the problem.
Thanks for this! I was expecting there to be a more complicated solution, rather than just a dll and registry fix. This is simple and effective for when it scrambles my icons
hey serge, thanks A LOT for your x64 version! It’s working perfectly here on Windows 7 build 7000.
Was really pissed off by not being able to use the 32 bits version, but your patch saved me a lot of headaches.
Thanks!
I was wondering if the context menu could be limited to my Computer only, under Vista?
If you Right click on any entries in the right column of the Start Menu, you will see the Save/Restore Desktop options…
After 43 years in the IT industry I tend to take VERBATUM what you describe. Clicking START there is NO computer entry in the list. After checking your example pictures I realized that you were using the CONTROL pannel. Even there there is NO computer it’s called SYSTEM.
That now sits on my desktop. You may find that other people have the same problem but because they cannot find the COMPUTER they foget the idea but don’t let you know.
Even after 43 years experience I am still happy to get help where necessary.
Great utility, well done.
Brian
To Brian.
Let me clarify. I am using Vista 32 bit. If you click “Start”, you will see a list of entries in the right column.
If you right click on any entries above Control Panel, you will see in the Context Menu popup, “Save/Restore Desktop Icon Layout” Options. That includes the “Computer” entry. I did setup the Start Menu to have these entries as menu entry not link or … So it the Save/Restore options show up in the Context Menu most of the time like explorer. Could we limit that to the Desktop and the “Computer” entry (Start Menu), Context Menu?
Thanks.
Thanks for your comment Alexandre but my start button gives me One colunm consisting of SHUT DOWN, HELP AND SUPORT The next 4 have an arrow to goto the specific applications SEARCH, SETTINGS, DOCUMENTS, PROGRAMS then there is a line above which is WINDOWS UPDATES, PROGRAM UPDATES, GET OPEN OFFICE AND DEFAULT PROGRAMS
None give the computer entry the nearest is SETTINGS which takes me to CONTROL PANEL (which I have in Clasic view). There is NO computer, but there is a SYSTEM. Right click that and I see the appropriate commands.
My system is 32 bit Vista Ultimate, although the systemhas dual AMD64 processors. I use the 32 bit OS becasue most of my apps won’t run in 64 bit mode.
My opinion of Vista is best kept to myself, except to say my old MSDOS system ran faster.
Thanks again for your comment Alexandre
Regards
Brian
You could call it this way from a vbs:
Const RECYCLE_BIN = &Ha&
Set objShell = CreateObject(”Shell.Application”)
Set objFolder = objShell.Namespace(RECYCLE_BIN)
Set objFolderItem = objFolder.Self
objFolderItem.InvokeVerb(”Restore Desktop Icon Layout”)
I only tested that on xp with layout.dll
I just tried the instructions on vista home premium 32 bit sp1. It only worked the 1st time then subsequent times when i re-aranged icons and tried to restore or save it did nothing. Ideas?
Great tool, works perfectly for me on Vista 32. Thanks.
lost icons and startup button on desktop??
how do i get icons backon desktop lost start button also
The 64bit worked gteat! no more wasting time orginazing.
Thanks from Israel!
Haven’t made this work on Windows 7 RC…can’t recall if it worked on the previous Win7 builds though
Did not work for me on Vista Home Premium 32 bit.
However, when I went back to confirm the proper location of layout.dll and examined the file’s properties sheet, I realized the file was “blocked”, so I clicked “Unblock”, and the tweak now seems to work as expected. When the file was blocked, there were no dialog box confirmations upon Save or Restore, which was an initial clue.
I got it working fine with Windows 7 32-bit RC. Nothing different required.
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! THANK YOU!
Hi Guys,
I’ve just installed this on my 32 bit Vista machine, my issue was every time I logged off one profile and went to another all the icons would get rearranged. It still does this but now I can restore them quickly and not manually by hand.
I still can’t get the ’save desktop’ option to right-click on the menu of the desktop itself. The registry in my PC doesn’t have the last “IconLayout” as given in the instructions to install it there? When I get to the end of this path:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\IconLayout]
@=”{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”
my choices are the following, from MenuHandlers I have:
ACE, DreamScene, New, and XXX Groove GFS Context Handler XXX
Any suggestions on how to get this to right click on my desktop instead of just “my computer” or the “recycling bin” would be greatly appreciated.
Corey
PS Have Vista Ultimate if that makes any difference.
Corey, that looks good for 32-bit LAYOUT.DLL – you should get the same restore options on your desktop that you get when right-clicking on the system icons.
No reboot necessary.
Should work globally – for any user.
- Maybe something is missing? LAYOUT.DLL must be in C:\WINDOWS\System32\
- LAYOUT.DLL must be registered.
The following regedits should register LAYOUT.DLL, and stick the right-click context-menu on both the system icons and the Desktop…
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}]
@=”Desktop Icon Layout”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}\InProcServer32]
@=”Layout.dll”
“ThreadingModel”=”Apartment”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\IconLayout]
@=”{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved]
“{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”=”Desktop Icon Layout”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\IconLayout]
@=”{19F500E0-9964-11cf-B63D-08002B317C03}”
If this doesn’t work, then it’s a mystery.
Hi!
Had used the tweak on Vista, and installed it just now on Windows 7 Release Candidate, 32bit. Works great. But be careful about using automatic registry cleaners afterwards. Layout might not like it.
Best, Mike in Paris, France
Thanks for posting this information. It works almost perfectly for me. Much appreciated.
Brian,
I hope you come back some day and read this message.
You, sir, after 43 years “in the IT industry” are jaded and bitter. Go away.
Does anyone still have the 64bit installer as the link for that no longer works
why can i get my icons to stay on my background icon windows to stay put
This fix did not work for me. I run Windows Vista 64-bit Home Premium and when I clicked “Restore Icon Position”, it completely rearranged my desktop! WTH???
For me, the issue is not the icons on my desktop, but rather the icons inside a folder ON the desktop. It’s full of powerpoint and .mp3 files from class. Can I make this software work for those files?
As you can imagine, the folder fills up pretty quickly daily. Vista likes to mess up my arrangement, which is infuriating. Solutions much appreciated!
The link to the zip file seems to be broken.