<p>Several years back, I innocently tried to write a little app to save my tactically placed desktop icons because I was sick of dragging them back to their locations when some event reset them.  I gave up after buring WAY too much time having failed to find a way to query, much less save and reset, my icons' desktop position.</p>

<p>Anyone know where Windows persists this info and if there's an API to set them?</p>

<p>Thanks,
Richard</p>

I have no idea about the API, but I know Ultramon (
http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/
) has a feature included for preserving icon placement (although I've never used it for preserving icon location, it is indispensable for multiple monitor usage). The latest beta release works flawlessly with Vista (except for sometimes having a minor glitch or two when initially logging into my machine via RDP), and of course, haven't had any issues with XP. I've used it for over four years now.
And did I mention that it's the best utility for multiple monitor usage?