How to lock your home screen layout on Microsoft Launcher

Microsoft Launcher Lock Home Screen Hero
Microsoft Launcher Lock Home Screen Hero (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft Launcher makes it easy to customize the home screen of your Android device. Sometimes, however, you can accidentally drag an icon to a new place on your screen. Fortunately, you can lock your home screen to prevent accidental rearranging from you or anyone that uses your phone.

How to turn notification badges on or off on Microsoft Launcher

  1. Download Microsoft Launcher (opens in new tab) or see the mobile app link below.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Press and hold your home screen. This will show a page with options to add widgets, change your wallpaper, or change launcher settings.
  2. Select Launcher Settings (you can also reach this page by clicking on Launcher in the app drawer).
  3. Select Home screen.
  4. Select More.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Scroll down and toggle Lock home screen on (or off if you prefer not to show them).

Now, if you try to move an icon on your home screen, it will appear red. If you drag it and try to move it, you will see a prompt telling you that your home screen is locked. You can unlock it through this prompt if you'd like to move the item on your home screen. Within the prompt, you can also choose to have your home screen lock again once you turn off your phone's display.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com (opens in new tab).

6 Comments
  • Thanks Sean, I like the way you laid it out with the boxes pointing to the correct setting too. Makes it easy for us with aging eyesite
  • Great guide. MS Launcher is coming along nicely (this being just one tiny feature). One issue I have, however, is that the new Launcher (I think it's v6) doesn't work on my Samsung tablet. It reverts to the old version and the Google Play Store says the device (Galaxy Tab S5e) isn't supported. The new version works great on my phone though.
  • its good but its to simaler to android . so i will stick with square home launcher .
  • My only issue with Microsoft Launcher is that it doesn't support Android 10 gestures. The only thing stopping me using it. Shame.
  • It's amazing how ugly this launcher has gotten.
  • Not at all for me