Backup and Restore Folder View Settings in Windows 10  

the script still creates a '"Desktop'' folder in %userprofile%, instead of using the moved Desktop folder. I change the location of the user folder to a folder on D:. Can you make the backup folder follow the real location of the desktop folder?

i also prefer the option 1 to be the restore option, instead of the backup option. Pressing the key '''' is really weird and i restore my views all the time

- - - Updated - - -

I also prefer to have the name of the back up folder like the name of the script, so the name of the folder would be ''Backup Folder View Settings''

I wrote a batch file for myself that completely customizes windows for me. It turns off all the annoying stuff like "Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows", it applies my preferred themepack, it changes all my File explorer settings, etc.

Literally the only thing I could never figure out how to script was the changing of File explorer to list view for all my folders.

I've been looking for a solution for this for a long time now.

Once again today, I thought I would just take a stab again at finding something and via a very circuitous route (item one linked to item 2, which linked to item 3, which finally linked to this tutorial), I came upon this tutorial. Works like a charm! Now adding this to my script!

Thanks so much for this tutorial!

Paul Black said:

Hello @hsehestedt,


I would be interested in seeing the batch file. If you don't feel inclined to share I can fully understand.

Only too happy to share, just had to take a little time to write up some info on this...

First, there are actually two parts to this batch file. I was working extensivly with this tutorial from Kari:

Create media for automated unattended install of Windows 10

In the course of that tutorial, you setup a reference system, customize it, sysprep it, then image it. The first part of my batch file does all the customization that I like (more explanation on all the customization can be found below and in the comments within the batch file). After the customization, a sysprep is performed. Don't worry! If you have no intention of sysprepping, the batch file makes that optional. You can run only the section that performs the customizations.

Ironically, the one thing I have not put in the batch file yet is to set the File Explorer view option.

Here is more detailed info...

This batch file has the following options:

1) Perform Windows customizations.
2) Deploy your assets for sysprep (refer to section 5 of Kari's tutorial linked to above) and then perform the actual sysprep.

You can perform either one of the above operations individually or have the batch file run them both, one after the other.

I created the batch file because I was always performing a lot of the same customizations to every reference system I was creating and I wanted to automate all those changes. Today I decided to just extend the functionality a bit more.

1) Perform Windows customizations.

You can easily add to remove from what the batch file does, use it as a framework. Currently it will perform the following Windows customizations:

A) Disable "annoying" Windows features

Change how often Windows asks you for feedback to "NEVER"
Disable feedback notifications
Disable "Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows"
Disable the Windows welcome experience
Disable app suggestions in start
Disable display of suggested content in settings
Turn off tailored experiences with diagnostic data
Turn off suggestions in timeline
Disable Tips, Tricks, and Suggestions

B) Tweak some general Windows settings

Increase the desktop icon spacing slightly
Modify Screen Saver Password Grace Period
Display seconds on the taskbar clock
Auto hide the taskbar in desktop mode
Allow the master volume control to adjust bluetooth volume (optional, batch file asks if you want to do this)
Allow lock screen timeout to be changed (optional, batch file asks if you want to do this)

C) File explorer customizations

Turn on Expand to current folder
Turn on Show all folders
Turn on Show Libraries
Display full path in the title bar
Show empty drives
Show file name extensions
Show encrypted and compressed files in color
Show hidden files folders and drives (not system files)
Use check boxes to select items
Disable the sharing wizard
Launch File Explorer to "This PC"

D) Other settings

Set Taskbar Combining to "Always combine, hide labels"
Disable Standby Timeout on Both AC and DC Power
Apply a customized themepack to Windows

NOTES: The above setting for Disabling Standby timeout can be very handy on your reference system if you are following Kari's tutorial. If the default timeout occurs, you cannot log back on again while in Audit mode unless you forcibly stop / restart the system so this setting will save you from that. If you are not following Kari's tutorial and prepping a system for sysprep, you may want to remove this item or comment it out in the batch file.

When the batch file applies a customized themepack, the Settings app is automatically opened. This is normal. You can close it if you want, but it's not necessary. Just don't be alarmed when this pops up. Also, make sure to change the name of the themepack to match what you are using in the batch file, or else comment out that section if you are not applying a custom themepack.

After the Windows customizations are applied, the system is automatically rebooted, unless you choose to also perform sysprep. In that case, assets are prepared for sysprep after the customizations are made, sysprep is run, and the system will shutdown.

IMPORTANT: After sysprep is run, don't let the reference system boot normally. You want to interrupt boot and boot from alternate media as Kari's tutorial instructs so that you can create an image.

2) Prep for sysprep / execute sysprep

This part of the batch file will copy the assets to the correct locations, create the C:\Image and C:\Scratch directories for the purpose of creating the final image, and finally performs the actual sysprep operation.

How to Use the Batch File

NOTE: The info below applies if you are following Kari's tutorial. If not, you can ignore much of the info below. When you run the batch file, just choose the option to perform the customizations only.

Follow Kari's tutorial until you reach section 7 at which point you are performing your Windows customizations.

Copy the following files to the desktop of the Reference system:

The batch file
Any custom themepacks
Oemlogo.bmp (if you are using one)
Autounattend.xml
Unattend.xml
Any software installers

As noted above, the functions to prepare assets for sysprep and then run it, and the option to make Windows customizations are separated so that you don't have to run them at the same time. For example, I like to apply my Windows customizations first. That way, everything is setup how I like right away. I can now install all my apps with all the Windows customization already done.

Once I have all my apps installed, I run the batch file again and choose the option to perform sysprep.

Suggestion: If your reference system is a VM, you might want to take a snapshot before running the batch file the first time to get familiar with it. With a snapshot, you can go back, just in case you need to do so.

Finally, here is my batch file. Please feel free to make any suggestions or ask any questions!

Code:

REM Configure a few initial settings

@echo off
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion
setlocal enableextensions
cd /d %~dp0

REM Check to see if this batch file is being run as Administrator. If not, we terminate the batch file and re-run it as admin.

openfiles > NUL 2>&1 
if NOT %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 goto NotAdmin 
goto IsAdmin

:NotAdmin

REM The batch file was not run as admin. Launch a new copy of the batch file as admin and close the current instance.

powershell.exe start-process '%~f0' -verb runas
exit

:IsAdmin

REM If we arrive here, then the batch file is being run elevated.
REM End Routine to check if being run as Admin

cls
echo Which do you want to do?
echo.
echo 1) Apply Windows customizations
echo 2) Get everything ready for sysprep and then run sysprep
echo 3) Both of the above
echo 4) Quit
echo.
choice /c 1234 /m "Please make a selection: "

IF ERRORLEVEL 4 goto END
IF ERRORLEVEL 3 (
set DoBoth=Y
goto Customize
)
IF ERRORLEVEL 2 goto RunSysprep
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 (
set DoBoth=N		
goto Customize
)

:Customize

REM Ask the user if they want to modify bluetooth settings.
REM The text below explains exactly what this Windows tweak does.

cls
echo For some bluetooth audio devices devices, changing the master volume in Windows may not cause the volume of the
echo device to change. Do you want to apply a tweak that will change this behavior?
echo.
choice /M "Update bluetooth behavior "
IF ERRORLEVEL==1 (
   SET UpdateBluetooth=Y
)
IF ERRORLEVEL==2 (
   SET UpdateBluetooth=N
)

cls
echo By default, the lockscreen will transition to a blank screen after one minute. If you want to be able to display
echo a screensaver for a period of time, this functionality will interfere with this. Do you want to make a change that
echo will allow you to work around this?
echo.
choice /M "Update lockscreen behavior "
IF ERRORLEVEL==1 (
   SET UpdateLockscreen=Y
)

IF ERRORLEVEL==2 (
   SET UpdateLockscreen=N
)

REM       ******************************************************
REM       * Change the behavior of annoying Windows "features" *
REM       ******************************************************

REM *************************************************************
REM * Change how often Windows asks you for feedback to "NEVER" *
REM *************************************************************

REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules /v NumberOfSIUFInPeriod /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL
REG DELETE "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules" /v PeriodInNanoSeconds /f > NUL 2>&1

REM **********************************
REM * Disable feedback notifications *
REM **********************************

REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection /v DoNotShowFeedbackNotifications /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM ******************************************************************
REM * Disable "Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows" *
REM ******************************************************************

REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-338389Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ******************************************
REM * Disable the Windows welcome experience *
REM ******************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-310093Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ************************************
REM * Disable app suggestions in start *
REM ************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-338388Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ****************************************************
REM * Disable display of suggested content in settings *
REM ****************************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-338393Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL
REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-353694Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL
REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-353696Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ******************************************************
REM * Turn off tailored experiences with diagnostic data *
REM ******************************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Privacy /v TailoredExperiencesWithDiagnosticDataEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ************************************
REM * Turn off suggestions in timeline *
REM ************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-353698Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM *****************************************
REM * Disable Tips, Tricks, and Suggestions *
REM *****************************************

REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SubscribedContent-338389Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM       *******************************
REM       * Tweak some general settings *
REM       *******************************

REM **********************************************
REM * Increase the desktop icon spacing slightly *
REM **********************************************

REM Default setting for "IconSpacing" is -1125, for "IconVerticalSpacing"
REM the default is also 1125.

REM Set these settings to (-15 * horizontal spacing between icons in pixels)
REM The below settings have been tested on the HP Spectre x360 BL012DX Laptop Computer.

REM For the change to take effect, after making the registry change, do one of the following:

REM 1) Sign out from your user account and then sign back in.
REM 2) Right-click the desktop, uncheck "Align icons to grid", then re-check it.

REM Since this batch file will perform a reboot, you won't need to do either of the above.

REG ADD "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics" /v IconSpacing /d -1500 /f > NUL
REG ADD "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics" /v IconVerticalSpacing /d -1200 /f > NUL

REM *********************************************
REM * Modify Screen Saver Password Grace Period *
REM *********************************************

REM When password protection for your screen saver is enabled, by default there is a 5 second grace period before
REM you must enter a password. This registry setting will modify that grace period. Valid values are from 0 to 2147483.
REM To restore the default, delete "ScreenSaverGracePeriod" value.

REM Note that this entry is specified in hexadecimal.

REM This REG file is currently configured to set the grace period to 15 seconds.

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v ScreenSaverGracePeriod /t REG_DWORD /d 0x0000000f /f > NUL

REM ****************************************
REM * Display seconds on the taskbar clock *
REM ****************************************

REM This will cause the clock on the taskbar to show seconds. Windows Explorer needs to be restarted
REM before this will take effect.

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowSecondsInSystemClock /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM *****************************************
REM * Auto hide the taskbar in desktop mode *
REM *****************************************

REM The setting for the taskbar is inside a long string of hex data. There are 48 octets in total.
REM The 9th octet (17th and 18th characters) are "02" when autohide is disabled, "03" when enabled.
REM In order to avoid changing the rest of the data we are going to read the data, then change
REM only the 9th octet, and finally write this back to the registry.

REM Begin by saving the registry key to a temporary file.

REG QUERY HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3 /v Settings > reg_temp.txt

REM Get the second line of the output from the temporary file.

for /F "skip=1 delims=" %%i in (reg_temp.txt) do (
set LineContents=%%i
)

REM We no longer need the temp file, delete it.

del reg_temp.txt

REM Parse the line that we just captured. The goal here is to keep the first 16 charcters, replace the next 2
REM characters with "03", and then keep the remaining characters. Since the string is 96 characters long, 
REM (48 octets), we will grab the first 16 characters starting with the 96th character from the end, then insert
REM the "03", and finally add the last 78 characters.

set LineContentsP1=!LineContents:~-96,16!
set LineContentsP2=!LineContents:~-78!
set LineContents=%LineContentsP1%03%LineContentsP2%

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3 /v Settings /t REG_BINARY /d %LineContents% /f > NUL

REM **************************************************************
REM * Allow the master volume control to adjust bluetooth volume *
REM **************************************************************

REM For some devices, the master volume may not alter the volume of a bluetooth device. Example: Edifier speakers connected via bluetooth.
REM Changing the setting below from 0 to 1 should resolve this.
REM To revert back, run the REG ADD command below with a "/d 0x00000000".

if %UpdateBluetooth%==Y (
REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL
)

REM *******************************************
REM * Allow lock screen timeout to be changed *
REM *******************************************

REM This registry entry enables a new setting in the Advanced settings of the Power Options Control Panel app.
REM The user will still need to set the timeout in that app. After we make the change to the registry, we
REM will open that app to allow the user to make the change.

IF %UpdateLockscreen%==Y (
REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7 /v attributes /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000002 /f > NUL
cls
echo The registry has been modified to allow the lock screen timeout to be changed. We are now opening the Advanced Power
echo Settings from the Control Panel Power Options utility to allow you to set a lock screen timeout. Select the
echo "Display > Console lock display off timeout" setting to change the timeout.
echo.
echo Dont press any key while focus is on this batch file until you are done setting that option.
echo.
control powercfg.cpl,,1,
pause
)

REM       ********************************
REM       * File Explorer Customizations *
REM       ********************************

REM ************************************
REM * Turn on Expand to current folder *
REM * Turn on Show all folders         *
REM ************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v NavPaneExpandToCurrentFolder /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL
REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v NavPaneShowAllFolders /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM **************************
REM * Turn on Show Libraries *
REM **************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} /v System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM **************************************
REM * Display full path in the title bar *
REM **************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState /v FullPath /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM *********************
REM * Show empty drives *
REM *********************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v HideDrivesWithNoMedia /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL
REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v HideDrivesWithNoMedia /f > NUL 2>&1

REM *****************************
REM * Show file name extensions *
REM *****************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v HideFileExt /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ************************************************
REM * Show encrypted and compressed files in color *
REM ************************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowEncryptCompressedColor /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM ****************************************
REM * Show hidden files folders and drives *
REM ****************************************

REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM ***********************************
REM * Use check boxes to select items *
REM ***********************************

REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v AutoCheckSelect /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM ******************************
REM * Disable the sharing wizard *
REM ******************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v SharingWizardOn /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ***********************************
REM * Launch File Explorer to This PC *
REM ***********************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v LaunchTo /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000001 /f > NUL

REM       ************************
REM       * Other Customizations *
REM       ************************

REM **********************************************************
REM * Set Taskbar Combining to "Always combine, hide labels" *
REM **********************************************************

REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v TaskbarGlomLevel /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000 /f > NUL

REM ***************************************************
REM * Disable Standby Timeout on Both AC and DC Power *
REM ***************************************************

powercfg -change -standby-timeout-dc 0
powercfg -change -standby-timeout-ac 0

REM ******************************************************
REM * Apply a customized themepack to Windows. Note that *
REM * the themepack should be located in the same folder *
REM * where this program is run from.                    *
REM ******************************************************

MyCustomTheme.deskthemepack
del MyCustomTheme.deskthemepack > NUL

REM All settings have been applied. Even though we are restarting, for some reason the setting to auto hide the taskbar requires that
REM File explorer.exe be restarted. If you don't restart it, that registry setting will revert back, even after a logoff / logon or reboot.
REM As a result, we will restart explorer.exe first, then reboot the system.

REM Restart explorer

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start explorer.exe

REM *********************************
REM * END OF WINDOWS CUSTOMIZATIONS *
REM *********************************

if %DoBoth%==N goto Reboot

:RunSysprep
cls
echo Getting everything ready for sysprep...
echo Running sysprep...
echo.

REM The following lines place the oemlogo.bmp, unattend.xml, and autounattend.xml files in the correct locations.
REM It also creates the C:\Image and C:\Scratch folders used for creating the the final image files. Finally,
REM it generates a RunOnce.bat file.

move /Y oemlogo.bmp %windir%\system32 > NUL
move /Y unattend.xml %windir%\system32\sysprep > NUL
move /Y autounattend.xml %systemdrive%\ > NUL
md c:\Image > NUL
md c:\Scratch > NUL

REM Create a "RunOnce.bat" file and place it.
REM NOTE: I have modified the RunOnce file just slightly from Kari's instructions. I like to have the RunOnce automatically
REM log me off after the first logon. This works especially well if you implement a one time autologon for 100% fully
REM unattended installation, but it is optional. If you don't want this, simply remove the "^& logoff" from the 2nd line below.

echo echo Y ^| del %%appdata%%\microsoft\windows\recent\automaticdestinations\* > "%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\RunOnce.bat"
echo del %%0 ^& logoff >> "%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\RunOnce.bat"

del %0 & %windir%\System32\Sysprep\sysprep.exe /generalize /oobe

REM We should never reach this line, it is here just to be on the safe side
goto END

:Reboot
REM Reboot the system
shutdown /r /t 0

:END