why does Launchpad constantly re-order my apps?

Definitely seeing this myself. Not sure what process is doing it, but it would have to be changing the IDs of each item in Launchpad on each relaunch of the "Dock" process (since the whole thing is controlled by an SQL Lite database in your ~/Library/Application Support/Dock folder). It could be looking at the last "something'd" date and ordering them based on that.

Crazy idea, maybe try write-protecting that database after everything is as you'd want it? Trouble is, next time you download or install an app that Launchpad would want to add, you'd need to un-write-protect it, add the app, then re-write-protect it. Scriptable, sure, but not "It just works". And even then it might not like the database not being modifyable and just crash or act oddly.

I haven't given it much effort as my primary app launch method is still Spotlight. If you want your apps to stay in order, just drag your Applications folder back to your dock and use it just like you did in [Snow] Leopard, as they'll stay in the sort order you set it there. Or submit a bug report (http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html) and hope they fix it in a future release. Finally, for those who want to use Launchpad and fix it themselves, may I suggest this:

1. Get your apps in the order you want them
2. Back up the database in ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock to somewhere
3. Write a simple bash or Apple script that kills the Dock, copies that archived database where everything is in the correct order to its "live" location, then restarts the Dock
4. Set said script to run on boot by adding it to your Startup Items (Accounts in System Preferences)
5. ...
6. Profit?

Of course, anytime you make an edit to what's in Launchpad or the order of Launchpad, you'd need to remember to re-backup your database so this script wouldn't overwrite your edits the next time you rebooted.

*The above idea has not been tested and merely should work given that Mac OS is nearly UNIX and as such usually behaves rationally

You can remove them safely with SQLite Database Browser (http://sqlitebrowser.sourceforge.net/) by opening your Dock database (~/Library/Application Data/Dock/[UUID].db). However, if you do, they will generally get added back whenever you update Mac OS and the update involves Launchpad or the Dock in some way.

I would instead propose a "method of least resistance" solution:

1. Go to www.apple.com/feedback and let Apple know you don't like how Launchpad works (I've done this myself, please do it too, they supposedly do read the feedback) and propose a better solution

2. Best shown via picture:

Since the App Store basically forces you to use Launchpad at least occasionally if you purchase from there, I think this is the easiest solution for now.

I do not have that app installed, but I have the issue, so that shouldn't be the culprit.

Yea, I have about 300 apps. I aranged them in alphabetic order. I also hid the ones I don't need with Launchpad Control (freeware). When I rebooted after a memory upgrade from 4GB to 8GB, all icons got rearranged in what seems a random order, and the hidden apps reappeard. Very annoying.

But, even if Apple didn't fix this, they could make it right by including a search field that filters the icons as you type an app's name - like F10 Launch Studio.

Launchpad's iOS looks may appeal aesthetically, but for 200+ apps it doesn't work for me unless it has that find field.

Mine just starting doing this as well. I'm not sure but I'm thinking launchpad control (downloaded app) might be the culprit. I literally just downloaded it five minutes ago to hide some unwanted adobe files. Now they keep going into disarray everytime I restart my comp. Does everyone else having this problem have launchpad control installed?

Yes, happening to me too. The intention behind this was to provide the convenience of launching apps as with an iPhone. Wouldn't be convenient if iPhone users had their icons re-arrange on them everytime they turned the phone off. I am accessing my launchpad by using a smart corner. I just push my magic mouse to the top right corner of my desktop and the launchpad appears - really useful and easy to access - now if they would just stop re-arranging! :-)

My story is more painful, after not seeing the point in multiple screens of apps, 1440x900 is enough space surely... I removed them all.

Then I re-added one by one to the list I want.

Then 'magically' after a couple of days, perhaps the reboot after my latest kernel panic, they're all back....

Fail.

That in fact fixed it for me! I just uninstalled Launchpad Control, deleted the backup database it made, restarted Dock, re-arranged Launchpad to suit my needs, then rebooted to test. Works great!

Since I still want to be able to control what's in Launchpad, I installed the free SQLite Database Browser from http://sqlitebrowser.sourceforge.net. This lets me hand edit the Launchpad database without any of the ill effects of Launchpad Control.

I thought Launchpad control was the answer, but the developer has stopped working on it.

It fails after a restart at version 1.3 - so basically, it's broken.

There is another paid app, but it's so silly, should be able to basically keep it manually sorted as per Mac ideal...

Be aware, Launchpad Control is a menace. (I stand corrected on my previous praise).

1) 10.7.2 has NOT fixed the issue (Launchpad icons still rearrange themselves after a restart).

2) The app Launchpad Control has nothing to do with this issue (I've never installed that app).

It's obviously a bug, and hopefully 10.7.3 fixes it.

I've noticed this as well. Expecially in the bottom 2 rows of the first page. It never happens on any other page, but every time I restart, there is at least one app that has moved. It's happening every time I restart or shut down. Not just on my iMac, but also on my older MacBook. I try to leave my iMac on as often as I can (mainly for wireless syncing for my iPhone) but whenever I need to restart, it gets annoying when my apps rearrange themselves.

Launchpad Control doesn't fix this problem, but it actually makes it worse in my experience. Some apps that I tell it to hide somehow duplicate themselves in the list on a restart.

In summary, Launchpad isn't storing correct information after moving apps around. Launchpad Control makes it worse.

I put my folders into alphabetical order, and my folder "Video" constantly repositions itself between "Social Networking" and "System", and I keep manually moving it back to between "Utlities" and "Wii", only for it to go back to between "Socail Networking" and "System"!!!

I have never used Launchpad-Control.

Alright, my bad. Apple, I apologize. It's something on my machine.

I created a test account, with (obviously) far fewer apps installed, and did not have the problem.

This means it's one of my 3rd party apps causing the problem. But which one?....

Erg.

I have the solution (it seems):

1. Go to: User directory > Library > Application Support > Dock > there, you might have a file with a strange name finishing by .db

2. Put this file into the trash, but don't empty the trash, just in case.

3. Just restart the Mac. The Launchpad must be reinitialize, that's mean you have to remake the arrangement of all your apps, the same way at your first Lion's installation. Voilà!

(the system have normally remake a .db file, you can empty the trash)

It's working for me. I have restarted 3 times and the order of apps is staying the same...

My suggestion is to delete all trackpad settngs that open Launchpad and stop using Launchpad whatsoever.

It ***** without bugs as well. OS X 11 might be something between iOS and OS X, but until it's done correctly by Apple I don't bother using crappy products.