Hi, which version of Windows 7 are you using, is it the home premium?
Secondly have you tried the method to install the group policy editor as suggested by Azarl?
I am running Windows 7 professional and have never see any desktop icon move or disappear, the desktop clean up wizard has never shown up. (It used to be pain in XP though) so I am surprised it is happening to you, are you sure it is that at fault and not something else causing this, such as some odd form of malware perhaps?
Nev.
Hi Nev,
I use Windows 7 (64-bit) Home Premium Service Pack 1.
I have not as yet followed Azarl's suggestion for a couple of reasons.
1: The disclaimer clearly states: "We do not recommend it and we'll not be responsible if it harms your system." Pretty clear that this procedure may well harm the operating system and, if/when it does, don't moan as we warned you!
2: The instructions themselves were not 100% clear to me. I am really not that proficient when it gets technical. I'm not prepared to risk damaging the operating system on my everyday PC.
Over the years life has taught me that "if something can go wrong it probably will".
As we all know, within minutes of two identical PCs being in the hands of two different people the computers are no longer the same. Because of this a single set of instructions may well not get the same results on these two computers.
I would sooner live with the situation as it is - where my desktop icons are moved (or disappear) thanks to microsoft and not as a result of my actions. Not ideal, but preferable to risking the smooth operation of my PC at present.
I am quite sure the issue is not due to any malware - as far as it is humanly possible to say so, as I possess what is probably one of the cleanest computers on the planet!
It it scanned at least once every 24 hours, updated with the latest definitions multiple times during the day (and night) as soon as they are made available, and all downloads, or any form of external device used would be checked before use or being allowed to infect my PC. I do not share memory sticks or any devices from other people, nor DVDs & CDs. I don't open attachments in email, even from known sources - until checked out first.
I only use safe websites and my settings are high security over all else.
I have real time security software running and supplement this with on demand scans for malware as well.