Windows Vista Desktop Icon Layout - Save & Restore
Managing Desktop Icon Layouts in Windows
Frequent changes in screen resolution can often lead to unwanted icon rearrangement on the Windows desktop. This is a common issue when switching between different display modes, such as during gaming or when connecting a laptop to an external monitor.
Fortunately, a solution exists, originally derived from the Windows resource kit. It involves adding a convenient menu option to save and restore desktop icon positions.
Installation Process
To begin, install the necessary files. Download and extract the contents of the provided zip file.
Copy the file named Layout.dll to the C:\Windows\System32\ directory, assuming Windows is installed on the C: drive.
Next, locate and double-click the Layout.reg file. This action will integrate the required settings into the Windows registry.
Following these steps, a right-click on the "Computer" item in the Start menu (or its desktop icon) will reveal two new options: "Save Desktop Icon Layout" and "Restore Desktop Icon Layout".
Arrange your desktop icons to your preferred configuration, then select the "Save layout" menu item to preserve the current arrangement.
Verification and Restoration
To confirm functionality, intentionally move and disorganize your desktop icons.
Selecting the "Restore" option will then revert the icons to their previously saved positions.
This feature provides a remarkably useful solution for maintaining desktop organization.
Download and Installation Details
Download Install
Obtain Layout.zip and adhere to the instructions outlined above. Please note that this particular version is not compatible with 64-bit systems.
64-bit Windows Installer
For users of 64-bit Windows, download setup.exe from amip.tools-for.net. This installer differs from the layout.zip package.
Uninstallation Procedure
To remove this functionality, download UninstallDesktopLayout.zip, extract its contents, and double-click the included registry file.
A system logoff and subsequent login are required for the changes to take effect. Additionally, manually delete the Layout.dll file.
It's worth noting that this modification is also generally applicable to Windows XP.
