User profile for user: pja2536
pja2536 Author
User level: Level 1
29 points

Why are my Mac desktop icons aligned horizontally?

Earlier today my M1 Mac Mini stopped responding. I had to manually shut it down and then restart it. After the restart the three desktop icons I have for the Mac's SSD, The TimeMachine SSD and a Flash Drive I use for GetBackUp Pro were aligned horizontally (not vertically).


ScreenShot 01


If I change the Desktop settings to:


Use Stacks: OFF

Sort By: None


The drive icons resort and sit on top of each other.



ScreenShot 02


I have run the Onyx utility but that has not resolved the issue. I wonder if the is a Plist or something that has become scrambled.


I have searched for several hours to find a solution but can't find anything that helps. I have tried all the options/permutations when I [control] + [Mouse Click] on the screen.


Any help would be most appreciated.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 28, 2025 10:03 AM

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User profile for user: pja2536
pja2536 Author
User level: Level 1
29 points

Mar 1, 2025 10:46 PM in response to dialabrain

It’s not that I don’t want to ask them! I just wondered what I should ask them about!


Surely you must believe there is an issue; otherwise, why raise it. And if there is an issue then why not share it.


if I contact them and ask if there is an issue with macOS!


I don’t understand your reluctance to share information, surely that’s what these forums are all about.


[Edited by Moderator]

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
94,231 points

Mar 1, 2025 2:09 AM in response to pja2536

Op wrote " Use Stacks: OFF Sort By: None "


The drive icons resort and sit on top of each other. "


With those same setting enabled


Just Drag each of icons into the position you want


They will move


4 GB drive for Odd Stuff, 128 GB for special Stuff and 500 GB for my CCC Backups I do daily







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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
94,231 points

Mar 1, 2025 4:54 AM in response to pja2536

pja2536 wrote:

"Just Drag each of icons into the position you want

They will move "

Now why didn't I think of that? Probably because that's how I determined I had a problem when the icons would not stay where they were moved to.

Interesting


In my setup, which does not apply to all setups


I can move the icons, at will

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User profile for user: dialabrain
dialabrain
User level: Level 10
130,001 points

Mar 1, 2025 11:57 PM in response to pja2536

pja2536 wrote:

Do you have some specific knowledge about issues with GBP?

No. I do know you're the only person to post the problem of icons being stuck in a horizontal position. You are also the first person I've seen on ASC using GBP. There may be a correlation.

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
94,231 points

Mar 2, 2025 2:14 AM in response to pja2536

Perhaps you are right in that OnyX has mucked up one of the Finder .plist files ?


Have never used any type of maintenance routines performed by a Third Party Software I can not reliable say onyX is the culprit


Perhaps of you have a Time Machine Backup you can reverse this Desktop Icon issue ?


" OnyX is a multifunction utility that you can use to verify the structure of the system files; perform cleaning and computer maintenance tasks; configure parameters in the Finder, Dock, Safari, and some Apple applications; delete caches; remove certain problematic folders and files; rebuild various databases and indexes; and more. It is a reliable application that provides a clean interface to many tasks that would otherwise require complex commands to be typed using a command–line interface. "

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Why are my Mac desktop icons aligned horizontally?

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