Windows 10: Backup and Restore Folders on Start List in Windows 10

How to: Backup and Restore Folders on Start List in Windows 10

How to Backup and Restore Folders on Start List in Windows 10


The Start menu in Windows 10 has a Start list that you can choose which folders appear on Start in the list. You can add or remove the File Explorer, Settings, your Documents, your Downloads, your Music, your Pictures, your Videos, Network, and Personal folder to your Start list to open from your Start menu.

This tutorial will show you how to back up and restore the folders on Start list of any user account on your Windows 10 PC.

*note This will only backup and restore which folders will appear on the Start list, and not the content of these folders.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Backup Folders on Start List of Current Account
• Option Two: To Restore Folders on Start List to Current Account

EXAMPLE: Folders on Start List in Windows 10











OPTION ONE [/i] To Backup Folders on Start List of Current Account
1. Sign in to the user account you want to backup its folders on Start list.

2. Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

3. Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)
Code:

*note Substitute {GUID} for this account's unique registry key (ex: "{7aa6b0cd-95d6-40c5-97d3-200c1e6b8ee8}") in the path above.

For example:
Code:

4. Right click on the Current key in the left pane of Registry Editor, and click/tap on Export. (see screenshot above)

5. Navigate to where you want to export this Current key to as a .reg file, type a file name (ex: "My_folders_on_Start") you want for this .reg file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)

*note This .reg file is the backup of the current account's folders on Start list.



6. You can now close Registry Editor if you like.





OPTION TWO [/i] To Restore Folders on Start List of Current Account
1. Sign in to the user account you want to restore a backup of folders on Start list.

2. Right click on the .reg file (ex: "My_folders_on_Start.reg") created using Option One, and click/tap on Edit.

3. Correct the GUID (ex: "{7aa6b0cd-95d6-40c5-97d3-200c1e6b8ee8}") in the .reg file to match the GUID for this account at the same registry key as step 3 in Option One above. Click/tap on File on the menu bar, and click/tap on Save to save your changes. (see screenshot below)



4. Double click/tap on the .reg file (ex: "My_folders_on_Start.reg") created using Option One.

5. When prompted, click/tap on Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve merging the .reg file.

6. sign in to apply.

That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Add or Remove Folders on Start List in Windows 10
• How to Backup and Restore Start Menu Layout in Windows 10

:)

 

Add or Remove Folders on Start List in Windows 10  


Hello @Octopuss, *Smile

The registry setting for this uses a binary value that cannot be easily set per folder.

However, as a workaround, you could use the new tutorial below to backup and restore your settings for the folders on Start list.

*Arrow Backup and Restore Folders on Start List in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

installing windows 10 backup and restore later

1. Backup Vista
2. Upgrade Vista->Windows 7 -> Windows 10. Get activated.
3. Backup Windows 10.
4. Clean Install Windows 10. Make sure still activated
5. Backup a fresh copy of Windows 10
6. Restore

To perform step 4 i will need to have downloaded an iso and create a dvd or usb to boot from.....so will not this ISO be ok and the one you mention ?

 

Having trouble restoring from a windows 10 backup to a new computer

Hi Tim,

You can restore files from a backup from another computer by following the steps below:

• Select the Start button, then select Control Panel >
  System and Maintenance > Backup and Restore.
  
• Choose Select another backup to restore files from, and then follow the steps in the wizard. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

This files will be restored in a folder having the "Username" of the one who created the file. To find the restored files:

• Select the Start button, then select Computer.
• Double-click the icon of the drive that the files are saved on, for example
  C:\.
• Double-click the Users folder. You will see a folder for each user account.
• Double-click the folder for the user name that was used to create the backup. The restored files will be in the various folders based on where they were located originally.

After performing the steps, kindly share with us the result.

 

Customize Start List Folders in Windows 10  

Hello @WTenNewbie, *Smile

If you like, you could use step 4 in Option One of the tutorial below to add a folder that contains your own shortcuts in the All apps list on the Start menu.

*Arrow Add or Remove Items for All Apps in Start menu in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials