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Fixing Windows 11 Desktop Icons Not Saving Settings

Struggling with desktop icons in Windows 11 that won't save their arrangement? Discover practical solutions to tackle this common issue and restore order to your workspace.

3 min read
A close-up view of various desktop icons on a Windows 11 computer.

If your desktop icons in Windows 11 are not saving their arrangement or settings, it can be a frustrating experience. This issue often arises due to system bugs, corrupted user profiles, or permission-related settings. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

Why aren't my desktop icon settings saving?

You may notice that after arranging your desktop icons, they revert to a previous layout or disappear entirely. This can happen for several reasons:

  • System bugs or glitches, often triggered by updates or software installations.
  • Corrupted user profiles that prevent settings from being saved correctly.
  • Issues with the icon cache that stores the layout of your desktop icons.
  • User Account Control (UAC) settings that may restrict changes.
  • Permissions issues related to your user profile, which may not allow modifications to be saved.

Check for updates

To ensure your system is functioning correctly and to apply any necessary fixes, check for updates:

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on Windows Update.
  3. Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.
The Windows 11 settings menu displaying the update section.

Reset the icon cache

Resetting the icon cache can resolve issues where the desktop icon settings do not save. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
  3. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
cd /d %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
del iconcache* /a
start explorer.exe
  1. Close the Command Prompt and check if the issue is resolved.

Adjust user account control settings

Sometimes, UAC settings can prevent changes from being saved. To adjust these settings:

  1. Open the Start menu and type UAC.
  2. Click on Change User Account Control settings.
  3. Move the slider to a lower setting (not the lowest) to reduce notifications.
  4. Click OK and restart your computer.
A user adjusting the slider in Windows 11 UAC settings.

Permissions issues with your user profile

If your user profile does not have the correct permissions, saving changes may not work. To check and adjust your user profile permissions:

  1. Right-click on the Start button and select Computer Management.
  2. In the left pane, expand Local Users and Groups and click on Users.
  3. Right-click on your user account and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Member Of tab and ensure you are part of the Administrators group. If not, you may need to contact an administrator to adjust your permissions.

Conclusion

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider seeking further assistance through Microsoft support or online forums dedicated to Windows 11 troubleshooting. Additionally, keeping your system updated and monitoring permissions can help prevent similar issues in the future.