How to Enable or Disable “Align Icons to Grid” on Windows 11 or 10 Desktop: The “Desktop” is more than just a backdrop for your computing tasks; it’s the fundamental space where your digital world resides. Located within your system, the Desktop folder houses not only your chosen background wallpaper but also every file, folder, document, and shortcut you’ve decided to place there. It’s the first interface you’re greeted with each time you boot up and log into your account. By default, all the items on your desktop are organized in a neat pattern, adhering to an invisible grid that ensures each icon is spaced evenly from its neighbors. This auto-arrangement feature is known as “Align icons to grid.” While Windows sets this up for you, the power to customize how your icons sit on this grid lies entirely in your hands. To tweak this, you’d need to delve into the Desktop Context Menu. Dive in to discover the steps to enable or disable this feature, tailoring your desktop to your preference.
In this risewindows article, you will learn how to enable and disable the alignment of icons on Windows 11 or 10 Desktop.
How to Turn On or Off “Align icons to Grid” on a Desktop on Windows 11 or 10?
Use the following steps to enable or disable “Align icons to Grid” on a Desktop on Windows 11 or 10:-
Step 1: Minimize all open windows and apps using Windows + D or Windows + M shortcut keys as the first step.
Step 2: Next, go to View > Align icons to the grid by right-clicking on the space on your Desktop.
When “Align icons to grid” is disabled, the check mark will disappear beside it, and if a checkmark appears, it is enabled.
How to Enable or Disable “Align Icons to Grid” in Windows 11 or 10 Desktop using Registry Editor?
You can also turn on or off “Align Icons to Grid” in Windows 11 or 10 Desktop by tweaking the Registry. Just use the following steps:-
Step 1: Firstly, open Registry Editor.
Step 2: After opening the Registry Editor in the left sidebar, browse the following path:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop
Step 3: Find FFlagsREG_DWORD on the right side of the Desktop folder and double-click on it to edit.
Step 4: Then, set “Base” as Decimal.
Step 5: Next, enter the following numbers in the “Value data” field:
- 1075839520 – Turn Off Auto Arrange Icons and Align Icons to Grid.
- 1075839525 – Turn On Auto Arrange Icons and Align Icons to Grid.
- 1075839521 – Enable Auto Arrange Icons and disable Align Icons to Grid.
- 1075839524 – Disable Auto Arrange Icons but enable Align Icons to Grid.
Step 6: Click on OK.
Step 7: As the final step, restart File Explorer or reboot your system to apply the changes.
That’s it.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, mastering your Windows 11 or 10 desktop environment is pivotal to optimizing your user experience. The “Align icons to grid” feature ensures a neat and organized visual display, but it’s essential to remember that personalizing this aspect is entirely within your control. Whether you prefer the automatic alignment that Windows offers or you desire a more customized setup, the choice is yours. By following the outlined steps, from simple right-click methods to delving into the Registry Editor, you can easily toggle between enabling or disabling the icon alignment. Make your desktop truly your own, reflecting both your aesthetic tastes and functional needs.
