How to turn on or off Align desktop icons to grid in Windows 10. The Windows 10 desktop keeps things tidy by default, using a snap-to-grid layout to neatly align icons. Still, some users prefer more freedom to place their icons wherever they like. In this video, we'll walk you through how to turn the Align icons to grid feature on or off in Windows 10. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to Ninja One's IT video hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. What is Align icons to grid? Windows automatically aligns desktop icons to a grid for a clean, organized layout, keeping spacing even and icons easy to find. However, some users prefer more control and flexibility, choosing to disable this feature so they can arrange icons freely based on personal preference or workflow needs. The Align icons to grid feature ensures icons stay evenly spaced when placed manually. In contrast, Auto Arrange Icons feature automatically organizes them in order, restricting manual placement. How to turn off Align icons to grid. You can change how desktop icons are arranged using either the right-click context menu or the Registry Editor, depending on what works best for you. Method one, using the context menu. Here's the simplest way to stop your desktop icons from snapping to a grid. Right-click anywhere on your desktop. Hover over View to open the submenu. Click Align icons to grid to uncheck it. You should now be able to move icons freely without them snapping into place. Method two, using the Registry Editor. Some users like the grid layout but want to tweak the default icon spacing, which isn't available in Settings. To do this, you'll need to use the Registry Editor. This method should only be done by advanced users or those comfortable with scripting. Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Always back up your registry before making changes. Our blog post outlines the specific steps for this method, so follow them carefully if you choose to use it. And of course, make sure to back up your registry first to avoid any potential issues. Adjusting your desktop icon layout can make it look cleaner and better match your workflow. For more information, check out our official blog post on how to turn on or off the Align desktop icons to grid in Windows 10, linked in the description below.