Finder icons displaying in a long column

According to your screenshot, that is a OneDrive folder. Can you reproduce this problem on a folder that isn't controlled by OneDrive? Since the problem went away in Safe Mode, that strongly suggests that there is 3rd party software interference.

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

The fact that the problem goes away in Safe Mode and comes back in normal mode indicates that there may be some 3rd party software that is the culprit.

With that in mind download and run Etrecheck. Be sure to give it Full Disk access before running.

Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC and recommended by Apple Support  to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

Copy the report

and use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.

Then we can evaluate the report to see if we can determine the cause of the problem.

HughGardens wrote:

No, it seems to be everywhere.

Can you verify your software is up to date…

The current stable release of Ventura including bug fixes,  security updates  is macOS Ventura 13.3.1  

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Change the Grouping setting for that window from None to Name:

HughGardens wrote:

Macbook Air (M1, 2020), usually plugged into an external monitor. When setting the computer up I tried to adjust the finder settings so that icons would display at a certain (larger) size by default - to make it easier for me to browse and locate the images I want to use. Since then, every time I change the finder view e.g. from 'list' to 'icons' the icons all appear in one long column down the left hand side of the window, rather than filling the space (see screenshot). In order to see all the icons either I have to do a lot of scrolling, or I click View > Clean Up By > Name (or Kind etc). It's a not a big problem but I can't see why anyone would prefer a long column - this seems a like a bug - and I'd prefer not to have to 'clean up by' every time. How can I change this so that the icons make use of the full width of the window by default? Thanks!

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/438c5d56-5ffc-4245-a6da-aa1f59a16579

Is this isolated to your OneDrive...(?)

OneDrive help & learning

I have this exact same problem. In my case, the files are on a Synology NAS, not OneDrive, but it happens even for the local disk.

Safe Mode is not a solution.

jegillikin wrote:

Safe Mode is not a solution.

Nor is it intended to be. It's a troubleshooting tool.

I am aware. Sarcasm isn't helpful.

She's not being sarcastic. Just stating the facts. We have no idea how knowledgeable posters are so we have to delve down to the lowest possible denominator to start replying.