How many are there?  Most people do not have dozens of icons cluttering up the destop and it would be fairly easy to just move what's there around with the mouse.  After you have them in somewhat of an order you can click on the "line up icons" option or "auto arrange". to make it look perfect.

 

Yes, but he/she said that option didn't change anything. 

 

They say that having a lot of icons on the desktop can slow things down.  Rather than having a screen full of icons to have to sort out the better way would be just to keep a few of the popular ones on top and open the rest at Start>Programs.  I know that list will sort in alphabetical order.

I just did it on mine and it sort of sorts by name.

 

The Recycle Bin and Internet Explorer are at the top, which is hardly alpha, but they are not shortcuts, so they sort first.

 

The shortcuts sort by name, but then a second alpha list starts at then end of the first.  The only thing I can think of is that the number and original location of the shortcuts may affect the final sort (yes, I have a messy desktop, OK!)  LOL

 

 

So this may be what is happening to the original poster.

 

Irrespective of what options I tick on and off (e.g. Align to Grid) I still end up with two alphabetical lists.

 

Just for the fun of it, would one of you really tidy types like to mess up your desktop (temporarily, of course) with a heap of shortcuts and see if you get the same result?

 

You'll need about 30 to replicate the issue.  Yes, I'll clean it up - later - I promise - LOLOL

 

I read it, Ron, but it doesn't explain what I was able to do (or not do, depending on your perspective) on my desktop.