Desktop Icons Are Rearranged After You Install Windows NT Service Pack 4 (226798)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP5
This article was previously published under Q226798

SYMPTOMS

After you install Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 (SP4) on your computer, all desktop icons are arranged in alphabetical order on the left side of the screen, regardless of their previous location.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because SP4 enables the desktop icon Auto Arrange feature.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem:
  1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
  2. Point to Arrange Icons, and then click Auto Arrange to clear the check mark.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Following is the registry key and value:

Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Deskview

Value: 01 00 00 00 20 02 00 00

When the fifth set of hexadecimal numbers is set to 21, Auto Arrange is on. When it is 20, Auto Arrange is off. However, this setting cannot be enforced. If the user changes the desktop so that it does not have Auto Arrange, this setting does not stay at logoff. When the system policy or logoff script runs upon the next login, the Auto Arrange setting is set for the desktop.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/14/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbnofix KB226798
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