Author Topic: Desktop Icons arrangement  (Read 2054 times)

Offline jb

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 694
    • View Profile
    • http://
Desktop Icons arrangement
« on: September 25, 2011, 08:56:41 AM »
iMac Intel i3 21.5" OS 10.6.8

Is there a way to keep the icons arranged or layed out a certain way on the Desktop?
Sometimes a given layout will stay as is for quite a while, for weeks sometimes.
And for some reason(s), now and then, when I power ON, all the icons find themselves bunched
together on the RH side of the screen. Is there a way to prevent this from happening so that I don't
have to relocate the icons in my prefered arrangement.

jb
iMac 21.5" Intel i3, OS 10.6.8, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HFS+ Internal HD, SuperDrive, 4 part 1TB HFS+ Firewire400 External HD 1, 250 GB HFS+ Firewire400 External HD 2, Powered 7 port USB Hub, USB Printer/Scanner, USB Printer/Fax/Scanner, USB Multiple Card Reader, Cable Modem, 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive.

Offline jchuzi

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 3094
    • View Profile
Desktop Icons arrangement
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2011, 10:27:14 AM »
Icon positions are stored in .DS_Store files, which are normally hidden. You can delete them with OnyX. To do so, launch OnyX, select Maintenance, and then select Rebuild and click Execute. It may be necessary to log out/in after you do this. If you like, you can click the Select button and choose Desktop before clicking Execute. New files will be created.

You'll have to reposition the icons but your preferences should stick after that.
Jon

macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P700, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365

Offline Xairbusdriver

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 26388
  • 27" iMac (mid-17), Big Sur, Mac mini, Catalina
    • View Profile
    • Mid-South Weather
Desktop Icons arrangement
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2011, 03:41:01 PM »
And try to avoid 'accidentally' pressing Control+Option+Command+1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 with any of the icons selected. wacko.gif

I've only ever seen your reported behavior after changing the monitor resolution, however. So, don't do that, either! laughhard.gif   

It is generally recognized, of course, that one should keep the Desktop as free of icons as possible. The more you have on there, the harder it is to find something (Icon view is the least efficient method ever created for displaying much over a couple dozen items, IMHO). Every time a part of the Desktop becomes visible, the OS has to redraw the screen. Plus, it's just ugly to see a beautiful Desktop image covered with silly little graphics! wink.gif
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes:

Offline kimmer

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 9086
    • View Profile
Desktop Icons arrangement
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2011, 06:39:13 PM »
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Sep 25 2011, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And try to avoid 'accidentally' pressing Control+Option+Command+1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 with any of the icons selected. wacko.gif

Now that was loads of fun. biggrin.gif

Offline Thomas S. England

  • Super Duper Poster
  • ****
  • Posts: 615
    • View Profile
    • http://englandphoto.com/portfolio/
Desktop Icons arrangement
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2011, 07:46:31 PM »
Use Desktop Saver 1.0.2u, an applescript to save & restore icon positions on the desktop.

Find it here: http://usemac.altervista.org/
Thomas S. England
Decatur GA 30030

Images from Tuscany 2008

Photo Portfolio

Offline jb

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 694
    • View Profile
    • http://
Desktop Icons arrangement
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2011, 10:23:24 PM »
Thanks Thomas S. Desktop Saver works. And it also works with Lion.

jb
iMac 21.5" Intel i3, OS 10.6.8, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HFS+ Internal HD, SuperDrive, 4 part 1TB HFS+ Firewire400 External HD 1, 250 GB HFS+ Firewire400 External HD 2, Powered 7 port USB Hub, USB Printer/Scanner, USB Printer/Fax/Scanner, USB Multiple Card Reader, Cable Modem, 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive.