How to Save Your Desktop Icon Layout in Windows XP, 7, 8

There are a number of reasons you might want to save your desktop icon layout. Maybe you’ve spent a lot of time organizing your icons just the way you like them. Or maybe you have a lot of icons on your desktop and you don’t want to have to rearrange them all the time.

Whatever the reason, saving your desktop icon layout can be a helpful way to keep your desktop organized and tidy. And it’s not difficult to do. In Windows XP, 7, and 8, you can easily save and restore your desktop icon layout using a few simple steps.

How to Save Your Desktop Icon Layout in Windows XP, 7, 8

How to Save Your Desktop Icon Layout in Windows XP

If you’re like most people, you probably have a desktop that’s cluttered with shortcuts, files, and other icons. Every now and then, it’s nice to be able to tidy up your desktop and arrange your icons in a specific way. Windows XP, 7, and 8 make it easy to do this by allowing you to save your icon layout. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select “Arrange Icons.”
2. Select the “Save Desktop Icon Layout” option.
3. Enter a name for your layout and click “Save.”

That’s it! Now, whenever you want to restore your icons to their original arrangement, simply right-click on the desktop and select “Arrange Icons.” Then, select the “Restore Desktop Icon Layout” option.

How to Save Your Desktop Icon Layout in Windows 7

Assuming you have already customized your desktop icons to your liking, here are the steps to save your icon layout in Windows 7:

1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select “Personalize.”
2. In the left pane of the resulting window, click “Change desktop icons.”
3. In the “Desktop Icon Settings” window, click the “Save As” button.
4. Enter a name for your icon layout and click “Save.”

Now, whenever you want to restore your desktop icons to your saved layout, simply double-click the file you saved in Step 4.

How to Save Your Desktop Icon Layout in Windows 8

Assuming you have already arranged your desktop icons the way you like them, here are the steps to save your icon layout in Windows 8:

1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select View.
2. Make sure Show desktop icons is checked.
3. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select Personalize.
4. In the left pane, click Change desktop icons.
5. In the Desktop Icon Settings window, click the Save button.
6. Type a name for the file and click Save.

Now, whenever you want to restore your desktop icon layout, simply double-click the file you saved in Step 6.

How to Restore Your Saved Desktop Icon Layout

Assuming you have already saved your desktop icon layout, restoring it is a simple process. In Windows XP, 7, and 8, simply right-click on the desktop and select “Arrange Icons By” from the menu. Then, select “Restore Desktop Icon Layout” from the submenu. Your icons will be restored to their previous positions.