Icon Anchor
Icon Anchor: A free, portable Windows utility for saving and restoring desktop icon positions. Ranked #42 of 47 in Desktop Organization Software by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for windows users who need portable icon-position backups.
At a glance
- Editor score6.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWindows users who need portable icon-position backups
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Platform supportWindows_only
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Saves and restores desktop icon positions with resolution-specific layouts
- Can fit new icons into available grid spaces and ignore removed icons
- Portable executable needs no installation or administrator privileges
Where it doesn't
- Windows only, with no support for other desktop platforms
- Restores saved layouts rather than automatically sorting icons
- Focused on icon positions, not broader desktop organization
Our verdict on Icon Anchor
Icon Anchor is a small Windows utility for people who want to save desktop icon positions and restore them when those icons move. It suits solo users and small teams who prefer a portable tool over a broader desktop organization suite. Layouts can be saved separately for different screen resolutions, so users can restore an arrangement associated with a particular display resolution. When restoring, the utility can place new icons in available grid spaces and ignore icons that have been removed.
Its narrow focus is the main distinction. Icon Anchor saves and restores layouts; it does not provide automatic sorting. That makes it a fit for users who want to preserve a manually arranged desktop, rather than people looking for a system that continuously organizes icons or manages other parts of the desktop. The resolution-specific files also make saved arrangements portable as files, without claiming support for multi-monitor setups.
The utility is free and open source, and its executable can run without installation or administrator privileges. It does not use the registry. It supports Windows 7 or later in 32-bit or 64-bit versions and requires .NET Framework 4.0 or later. Layouts are stored as text files beside the executable, or in the user's local application data folder if the executable's folder is not writable. Choose Icon Anchor if you need a lightweight way to preserve desktop icon positions on Windows. Choose another type of organization tool if you need automatic sorting or support beyond Windows.
Your product? Our editors can test Icon Anchor in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Icon Anchor pricing
Icon Anchor fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Platform support | Windows_only |
| Organization model | Saved_layouts |
| Automatic sorting | No |
| Maximum containers | Not verified |
| Saved layouts | Yes |
| Multi-monitor support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | nexustide400.itch.io |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Icon Anchor
- AutoShelfDeep automated file sorting for Mac users who want precise control.9.4
- Desktop Frames+A flexible Windows desktop organizer with frames, profiles, rules, and search.9.3
- DeskBoxDeskBox combines automatic desktop organization with search, widgets, todos, and recovery tools.9.2
See all Icon Anchor alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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