Taskbar items rearrange themselves

[lwinstead]

Okay people. I know this has been out there for a while, and I know someone has the answer, but damned if I can find it!

How do you prevent the taskbar in Windows XP from rearranging its icons ON IT'S OWN? I've seen it before, but I can't recall how to stop it, but there IS A WAY. This isn't the user doing something dumb; the open program icons in the taskbar literally swap places in a random order. Not constantly, but just one time rearrangement.

Can anyone recall what's happening and how to prevent it? Thanks!!!!

<<<<[flux]>>>>

 

[KenB]

Right click the desktop in a clear area, click Arrange Icons By, click Auto Arrange to remove the Check Mark, That should fix it.

HTH
Ken

 

[smah]

I would guess that you're seeing the taskbar grouping. Right click on empty space of the taskbar, Properties, deselect 'Group similar taskbar buttons'.

 

[linney]

I have noticed what you describe, but for me it is only a recent occurrence, or only something I have recently noticed.

It seems to happen (in my case) when opening particular running programs (not all) from the Notification Area by clicking on the icon. Some of these icons then move to the far left of the Notification Area and away from their original position.

I have no idea what causes this swapping of positions, but as I have only noticed it in the last couple of weeks, I guess it is something Microsoft has updated on my machine that may be causing this minor problem?

 

[sekoseko]

check xneat at

http://www.xneat.com

it allows you to arrange taskbar items the way you like ..

 

[xwb]

My taskbar doesn't rearrange icons (probably because I have it on the right) but my desktop does, so much so that I've renamed "My Computer" to AAA to keep it in the same place every time. I can't figure out what triggers it as I hardly see my desktop.

 

[linney]

xwb,

Check your Desktop settings by right-clicking a blank part of the Desktop and selecting "Arrange Icons by...". Have a look at what have set for that.