why does Launchpad constantly re-order my apps?

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)

I have tried this SO many times in the past. It takes nearly an hour to reconstruct everything. Why would 10.7.3 make any difference? If it's a problem with one of my apps, doing this will not solve the problem.

I really don't want to go through this again and have it not work.

Oh, well, here goes....

after 6 restarts, my Launchpad is still in order. So it's just work, at least in my case and SupahCoolX's case. If you try this solution and that is not working for you, maybe try again... it is possible after 10.7.3 it will be ok...

I'm sorry but some of my apps have changes of order... Just 2 or 3. I update one of my apps this day, it change something in the Launchpad. %`ù¨**!!!! BUG!!! Apple dodn't even know how make something so simple????

So my solution have a relativized efficiency...

Sorry all.

It's seems the order changing when one app is updated. This replace the app file in the application folder and the launchpad change a little the app position, but globally, the order is keeped. This is not mess. It's better than it was some days ago.

Boring...

Has anyone else noticed their arrangements change when they connect to another display? I have noticed small changes when updating apps and after restarts, which is annoying, but the largest changes occur after I use another display and disconnect from it. I only have two "screens" in Launchpad and the bottom two rows in the first/main "screen" get jumbled up on a fairly regular basis after using another display.

Found this video and cnet post:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO1CgB-WKg0

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20087145-263/how-to-reset-and-manage-the-os -x-10.7-launchpad-interface/

Help these solve your problems.

I really think Apple is fully aware of this issue and is holding off on it because, as usual, it will be fixed in Mountain Lion and they expect you to leave Lion and buy the new OS when it's released. I'm getting sick and tired of Apples tactics to sell more products. I had issues with the clickwheel on my iPod classic that were never addressed. They expect all of their customers to immediately move on to the next new thing. Why fix a legacy device or software? All you have to do is buy an Apple product then wait at least 6 months...now you have a legacy item. If you want it fixed, just buy the new one! Am I right?

I shouldn't think Apple expect people to upgrade to the next version of OS X for this issue to be resolved.

In fact, given the limitations of the iPhone, and the subsequent firmware updates, I think Apple are pretty good at addressing issues.

On another note, the fix may entail deleting Launchpad's preferences and starting afresh. Perhaps that's why they're holding off.

Message was edited by: mallchin

The fact remains that Apple has been silent about the subject and

the issue is still unaddressed while they're getting ready to launch the next OS. I would like for Apple to concentrate on fixing ongoing issues with an OS before releasing a new one. Maybe they are working on it, but I bet you it won't be resolved until after the release of ML.

Lion hasn't been out that long, I don't think they'll be releasing a new OSany time soon.

I admit the issue is annoying, but the posted fix to delete entries from the table looks like it might have fixed it for me.

Given the relatively minute amount of time spent fixing this single issue I'm still much happier with Lion than with any other OS.

I tried this fix and it did work until I had an Adobe update. After the update, two adobe app icons were inserted into Launchpad and my apps were out of order again. ML is expected to be released late this summer. While Lion hasn't been out that long, the fact that a new OS is already in the works tells me that Apple has their foot on the gas. I wish they would spend a little more time and effort to put out a more solid OS. I agree that Lion is better than the other OSes out there, but that shouldn't be an excuse. I guess I miss the "old days" when an OS as an OS and not a series of updates that are pushed out almost yearly.

No. Thank you for putting up a solution. It's probably all that can be done given the circumstances. It would be nice if Apple at least made a statement saying, "We are aware of this issue and are currently working on it", etc. We are all on this forum because we like Applle products and want to solve our issues, but this is rather frustrating.

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)

This ONLY works UNTIL you add a new app!

Ridiculous.

Exactly! I would also like to add that I have determined that the initial installation of apps from sources outside of the Mac App Store triggers the bug.

I recently did a clean reinstall of Lion (10.7.3) and downloaded all my MAS purchases. It wasn't until I downloaded and installed an app from outside the MAS (i.e. Dropbox, Alfred, etc.) that the problem started to occur. I do not believe it is the third party app developers' fault or error, as I recently installed Apple's Messages which also resulted in a corrupted Launchpad layout.

I'm really disappointed that three updates have come and gone and Apple hasn't figured out a way to prevent non-MAS installations from corrupting Launchpad. With this and 10.7.3's Wi-Fi/wake from sleep issue, I'm slowly losing faith....