I still can't freely move the desktop icons around

That still doesn't answer myself question. I try to drag icons to the trash but they won't move–thought sometimes they do. Sometimes they move only on the third or fourth try; more often never. I am using a bottom corner of the trackpad to highlight them. I'm also trying to move a file into the folder where not belongs, but it won't move. I'm using a new MacBook Pro after moving up from an almost 7-year-old MacBook Air that was two OS versions behind so that may be part of my problem, but this just doesn't seem very "Mac like" and is VERY frustrating!

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, Glenna!

I understand you're trying to freely rearrange the files on your desktop, but you have been unable to. I'd be happy to provide information so that you may be able to do this.

Have a look at the following article: Align and resize icons on Mac

"On the desktop

1. On your Mac, Control-click the desktop.
2. Do any of the following:

• Quickly realign icons: Choose Clean Up.
  • If you don’t see Clean Up, it’s because you set your icons to be sorted automatically or you’re using Stacks to automatically sort your files. To see Clean Up, either choose Sort By > None or verify that there isn’t a checkmark next to Use Stacks.
• Align and sort icons once: Choose Clean Up By, then choose an option.
  • If you don’t see Clean Up By, it’s because you set your icons to be sorted automatically or you’re using Stacks to automatically sort your files. To see Clean Up By, either choose Sort By > None or verify that there isn’t a checkmark next to Use Stacks.
  • Have icons aligned and sorted automatically: Choose Sort By, then choose an option.
  • Change the icon size, grid spacing (space between icons), text size, and more: Choose Show View Options, then use the controls to make changes."

While on the desktop, Control-click any empty space and select Sort By > None.

You should be able to freely move the files then.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Have a great day!

Sorry about my typos. I've had to have a wrist "frozen" and that has destroyed my touch typing.