Most will alphabetize, but there are always several that exempt themselves.

This is a change in Windows 7. We have received feedbacks from users. I believe that our developers are noticed. Your feedback will also be considered. ThanksPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

I don't think that is a change in Windows 7. Previous versions of Windows had the same "feature". But whenever you don't let us do what they want to do, we get annoyed (to say the least).

I think I can see how this happens. When I click on sort by name I get Recycle bin Public desktop icons sorted alphabetical (stored in C:/Users/Public/Desktop/ ) My usernames desktop icons sorted alphabetical (stored in C:/Users/myusername/Desktop/) And when I click on sort by name again I get the reverse order. A workaround for a single user PC would be to store all desktop icons either under the Public profile or the user profile in use.

Thanks! It's not a big deal, but it really helps to be able to understand it. Where did you find that information?

I didn't find it anywhere! I've been aware of two locations being used for the desktop/start menu etc. for quite some time. Prior to Windows 7 the locations would be the all users profile & the profile in use.