How to force Windows to save desktop icon positions?

Is there a way to force Windows to save desktop icon positions?

Answer

You can simply right-click the Desktop & click Refresh. This saves the icon positions (at least it does on XP, also confirmed on Windows 7).

Here's a simple way to confirm that this method works:

• Move an icon


• Kill explorer.exe (& restart it, if it doesn't auto-restart)


• Notice icon moves back (because it wasn't saved)


• Move icon again


• Right-click on the Desktop -> click Refresh


• Kill explorer.exe (& restart)


• Notice icon doesn't move back (since this time it was saved before killing explorer)