Backup and Restore Start Layout in Windows 10

Brink · 17 Sep 2019

JarutheDamaja said:

Thank you for the guide, it worked flawlessly on the 1903 build. However i don't understand the use of copying the DefaultLayouts.xml file.
In my testing, backing up the registry entry was enough to do.
I also noticed that the DefaultLayouts.xml was last updated in March (date modified), and when removed it doesn't get recreated.
So i just left it there. The test was happening on business machines with certain restrictions and policies active. (For example can't activate "Show more tiles" in Personalisation->Start)

Hello JarutheDamaja,

The DefaultLayouts.xml file defines the default Start menu and works with the registry entries for the whole Start layout. Without the .xml file, the Start layout may not be complete.

JRSC01 · 01 Dec 2019

Thanks for this guide, i dont know how may times i restored all the tiles manually...
Now the backup is saved to Onedrive so when reinstalled can get the file from there.

Brink · 01 Dec 2019

JRSC01 said:

Thanks for this guide, i dont know how may times i restored all the tiles manually...
Now the backup is saved to Onedrive so when reinstalled can get the file from there.

FreeBooter · 01 Dec 2019

I hope this batch script will be helpful.

Code:

:: Backup and Restore Start Menu Layout in Windows 10

@Echo Off 

net sess>nul 2>&1||(powershell start cmd -ArgumentList """/c %~0""" -verb Runas & exit)

Cls & Mode CON  LINES=11 COLS=80 & Color 0E & Title Created By FreeBooter
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo           Do You Want to Backup Start Menu Layout in Windows 10 (Y/N)?   
Echo.       
Echo.
Echo.


Set /p input= RESPONSE: 

If /i  Not %input%==Y (Goto :_Ex) Else (Goto :_Start) 

:_Ex
If /i Not %input%==N  (Goto :EOF) Else (Goto :_RegRestore)



:_Start

Md C:\StartMenuBackup

Reg Export "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudStore\Store\Cache\DefaultAccount"  C:\StartMenuBackup\Backup.reg /y

Copy /Y "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\DefaultLayouts.xml"  C:\StartMenuBackup




Cls & Mode CON  LINES=11 COLS=50 & Color 0E & Title Created By FreeBooter
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo            Backing up Start Menu Layout
Echo.
Echo.
Echo. 
Ping -n 6 localhost >Nul
Exit


:_RegRestore

Reg Delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudStore\Store\Cache\DefaultAccount" /f

Reg Import C:\StartMenuBackup\Backup.reg

Copy /Y C:\StartMenuBackup\DefaultLayouts.xml  "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Shell"

Cls & Mode CON  LINES=11 COLS=50 & Color 0E & Title Created By FreeBooter
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo.
Echo            Restoring Start Menu Layout
Echo.
Echo.
Echo. 
Ping -n 6 localhost >Nul




CHOICE /C YN /M "Press Y to Reboot, N for exiting script."


If %errorlevel% == 1 ( Shutdown /r /t 0) Else (Exit)