Locking an icon on your desktop can be a great way to prevent it from accidentally being moved, deleted, or otherwise altered. This can be especially useful for important icons, such as shortcuts to programs or files that you frequently use. Furthermore, locking icons can help to keep your desktop organized and looking its best.
Locking an icon on your desktop is a simple process. Simply right-click on the icon you want to lock and select the “Properties” option from the context menu. In the “Properties” dialog box, click on the “Security” tab and then select the “Advanced” button. In the “Advanced Security Settings” dialog box, select the “Permissions” tab and then click on the “Add” button. In the “Add Permissions” dialog box, enter the name of the user or group that you want to grant permissions to and then select the “Full Control” permission. Click on the “OK” button to save your changes and then click on the “Close” button to close the “Advanced Security Settings” dialog box.
Once you have locked an icon on your desktop, it will no longer be possible to move, delete, or otherwise alter it without your permission. To unlock an icon, simply follow the same steps as you did to lock it and then uncheck the “Full Control” permission for the user or group that you want to remove permissions from. Locking icons on your desktop can be a great way to protect your important files and keep your desktop organized.
Identify the Desired Icon
Locating the icon you want to lock on your desktop is the first step. Icons can be found in various locations, depending on how your computer is set up. Here are some common scenarios to help you identify the target icon:
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Windows Desktop
If the icon is present on your Windows desktop, simply right-click on it to access the context menu.
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File Explorer (Windows)
If you’re working with icons in File Explorer, navigate to the folder where the icon is located. Once you find the icon, right-click on it to display the context menu.
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Mac Finder
For Mac users, open the Finder window and locate the desired icon. Control-click (or right-click) on the icon to bring up the context menu.
In some cases, you may need to search for a specific icon. To do this, use the search bar located in the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and type in the name of the icon or associated file.
Right-Click on the Icon
To lock an icon on your desktop in Windows, you can use the right-click context menu. Here are the steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Locate the icon you want to lock on the desktop. |
| 2 | Right-click on the icon to open the context menu. |
| 3 | Select the “Properties” option from the menu. |
| 4 | In the “Properties” window, go to the “Security” tab. |
| 5 | Under “Group or user names,” select the user or group you want to lock the icon for. |
| 6 | In the “Permissions for [user or group]” section, check the “Deny” box next to the “Write” permission. |
| 7 | Click “OK” to save the changes. |
Select “Pin to Taskbar”
To pin an icon to your taskbar, follow these steps:
1. Find the icon you want to pin on your desktop.
2. Right-click on the icon.
3. From the context menu that appears, hover over “More” and then select “Pin to Taskbar.”
Once you have pinned an icon to the taskbar, it will always appear there, even if you restart your computer. You can unpin an icon from the taskbar by right-clicking on it and selecting “Unpin from Taskbar.”
Pinning to the Taskbar
Pinning an icon to the Taskbar is an excellent way to keep your favorite or frequently used apps within easy reach. There are two ways to pin an icon to the Taskbar:
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Right-click the icon and select
Pin to Taskbar from the context menu. -
Drag and drop the icon onto the Taskbar.
You can also unpin icons from the Taskbar by right-clicking on the icon and selecting Unpin from Taskbar.
Once an icon is pinned to the Taskbar, it will remain there until you unpin it. You can also customize the order of icons on the Taskbar by dragging and dropping them to the desired location.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Right-click the icon you want to pin. |
| 2 | Hover over “More.” |
| 3 | Select “Pin to Taskbar.” |
Create a New Shortcut
1. Right-click on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
2. In the Create Shortcut window, enter the path or URL of the file or program you want to create a shortcut for.
For example, to create a shortcut to the Windows Explorer program, enter:
| OS | Path or URL |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 or 10 | C:\Windows\explorer.exe |
| Windows 8 or 7 | C:\Windows\explorer.exe |
| Windows XP or Vista | C:\Windows\Explorer.exe |
3. Click Next.
4. Enter a name for the shortcut and click Finish.
The shortcut will be created on the desktop.
Drag the Icon to the Desired Location
To lock an icon on your desktop in the desired location, you need to follow these steps:
- Right-click on the icon you wish to lock and select “Properties”.
- Navigate to the “Security” tab in the “Properties” window.
- Click on the “Advanced” button located near the bottom of the window.
- In the “Advanced Security Settings for Icon” window that appears, select the “Owner” tab.
- Click on the “Edit” button and select your user account from the list of users and groups. Click “OK” to save your changes.
- Back in the “Advanced Security Settings for Icon” window, select the “Permissions” tab. Click on the “Add” button and select your user account again. In the “Permissions Entry” window that appears, select the “Deny” checkbox next to the “Full Control” permission. Click “OK” to save your changes.
- Click “OK” again to close the “Advanced Security Settings for Icon” window.
- Click “OK” once more to close the “Properties” window.
The icon will now be locked in its current location and cannot be moved without your permission.
Enable Desktop Lock Feature
To enable the desktop lock feature, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” menu by pressing the Windows key + I.
- Click on the “Personalization” tab.
- Select the “Desktop” option from the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down to the “Lock the desktop” section.
- Toggle the “Lock the desktop” switch to the “On” position.
Fine-Tuning the Lock Settings
Once the desktop lock feature is enabled, you can further customize its behavior by adjusting the following settings:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Allow rearranging of icons | This setting determines whether users are allowed to move and arrange icons on the desktop while the lock is enabled. |
| Allow changing of wallpapers | This setting controls whether users can change the desktop wallpaper while the lock is active. |
| Allow creating of shortcuts | This setting specifies whether users can create new shortcuts on the desktop while the lock is activated. |
| Allow deleting of icons | This setting governs whether users are permitted to delete icons from the desktop during the lock period. |
| Allow renaming of icons | This setting determines whether users can modify the names of icons while the desktop is locked. |
Prevent Icons from Moving
To prevent icons from moving on your desktop, you can follow the steps below:
1. Right-click on the desktop
This will open a context menu with several options.
2. Select “View” from the context menu
This will open a submenu with several view options.
3. Select “Auto arrange icons” from the submenu
This will toggle the “Auto arrange icons” setting. When this setting is enabled, icons will automatically be arranged in a grid-like pattern on the desktop. When this setting is disabled, icons will be able to be moved freely on the desktop.
4. If the “Auto arrange icons” setting is already disabled, you can use the following steps to further prevent icons from moving:
| 1. | Select “Personalize” from the context menu. |
| 2. | Select “Themes” from the Personalization window. |
| 3. | Select “Desktop icon settings” from the Themes window. |
| 4. | Uncheck the “Align icons to grid” checkbox in the Desktop Icon Settings window. |
| 5. | Click the “OK” button to save your changes. |
Hide All Icons from Desktop
If you want to keep your desktop clear of icons, you can hide them all at once. Here’s how:
- Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
- Select “View” from the menu.
- Uncheck the box next to “Show desktop icons”.
All of the icons on your desktop will now be hidden. You can still access them by opening the Start menu or using the File Explorer.
Additional notes:
- You can also hide individual icons by right-clicking on them and selecting “Hide icon” from the menu.
- If you want to show all of the icons on your desktop again, simply right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select “View” from the menu. Then, check the box next to “Show desktop icons”.
8. Troubleshoot Icon Locking Issues
If you’re having trouble locking an icon on your desktop, there are a few things you can try:
- Make sure that the icon is not in a read-only folder.
- Try restarting your computer.
- If you’re still having problems, you can try using a third-party tool to lock icons.
Additional troubleshooting tips:
| Symptom | Solution |
|---|---|
| Icon is still unlocked after following the steps above | Try using a different method to lock the icon. For example, you can try using the command line or a third-party tool. |
| Icon is locked, but I can’t move it | Make sure that the icon is not in a read-only folder. You can also try restarting your computer. |
| I’m getting an error message when I try to lock an icon | The error message may provide more information about the problem. Try searching for the error message online or contacting Microsoft support. |
Utilize Third-Party Software
Various third-party software programs can be employed to lock desktop icons, providing users with additional customization options and enhanced functionality.
Here are some of the most popular third-party software options:
| Software | Features |
|---|---|
| Desktop Icon Manager | Allows users to lock icons in place, hide icons, and change the appearance of icons. |
| Icon Lock | Provides a simple and lightweight solution for locking desktop icons, preventing accidental movement or deletion. |
| Stardock Fences | Offers a comprehensive suite of desktop management tools, including the ability to lock icons in place and organize icons into customizable fences. |
| WinLock | Provides a range of desktop customization options, including icon locking, as well as the ability to set password protection for specific icons or folders. |
| AveDesk | Features an array of desktop customization options, including icon locking, the ability to change icon sizes and spacing, and the creation of custom icon themes. |
When selecting a third-party software program, consider the specific features and functionality you require, as well as the cost and ease of use of the software.
Customize Desktop Appearance
Customizing your desktop appearance can make it more personal and visually appealing. You can change the wallpaper, icons, and even the taskbar to match your preferences. Here’s how to do it:
Change the Wallpaper
To change the wallpaper, right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize” from the menu.
Change the Icons
To change the icons, right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize” from the menu. Then, click on “Themes” and select a new theme. You can also click on “Desktop icon settings” to change the icons for individual files and folders.
Change the Taskbar
To change the taskbar, right-click on the taskbar and select “Properties” from the menu. Then, you can change the taskbar’s position, size, and appearance.
Lock an Icon on Desktop
To lock an icon on the desktop, right-click on the icon and select “Properties” from the menu. Then, click on the “Security” tab and select the “Advanced” button. In the “Advanced Security Settings” window, click on the “Permissions” tab and select the “Deny” checkbox for the “Full control” permission. Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
| Permission | Description |
|---|---|
| Full control | Allows the user to make any changes to the object. |
| Modify | Allows the user to make changes to the object, but not to delete it. |
| Read & execute | Allows the user to open and run the object, but not to make any changes. |
| List folder contents | Allows the user to view the contents of the object, but not to open or run them. |
| Read | Allows the user to view the object, but not to make any changes. |
How to Lock an Icon on the Desktop
Locking an icon on the desktop prevents it from being moved or deleted accidentally. This can be useful for important shortcuts or files that you want to keep in a specific location.
There are two ways to lock an icon on the desktop. The first is to right-click the icon and select “Lock” from the context menu.
The second way is to open the “View” tab in the File Explorer window and select “Locks” from the “Layout” group.
Once an icon is locked, it will have a small lock symbol in the lower-right corner.
How to Unlock an Icon on the Desktop
To unlock an icon on the desktop, simply right-click the icon and select “Unlock” from the context menu.
Alternatively, you can open the “View” tab in the File Explorer window and uncheck the “Locks” option in the “Layout” group.
People Also Ask About How to Lock an Icon on the Desktop
How do I keep icons from moving on my desktop?
To prevent icons from moving on your desktop, you can lock them in place. To do this, right-click the icon and select “Lock” from the context menu.
How do I hide icons from my desktop?
To hide icons from your desktop, you can right-click an empty space on the desktop and select “Personalize.” Then, click on the “Themes” tab and select “Desktop icon settings.” From here, you can uncheck the boxes for the icons you want to hide.
How do I rearrange icons on my desktop?
To rearrange icons on your desktop, simply click and drag them to the desired location. You can also use the “Sort By” option in the context menu to sort icons by name, size, or type.
