How to Backup and Restore Start Screen Layout in Windows 8 and 8.1
InformationA Start screen layout includes pinned items (files, folders, apps, programs, and drives), and how app tiles are organized and named.
This tutorial will show you how to backup and copy/restore your Start screen layout automatically with one click in Windows 8 and 8.1.
This can be handy if you do not want to have to setup your Start screen layout again say after a clean install of Windows 8. You could also use this to copy the Start screen layout from one user account to another user account.
This tutorial will show you how to backup and copy/restore your Start screen layout automatically with one click in Windows 8 and 8.1.
This can be handy if you do not want to have to setup your Start screen layout again say after a clean install of Windows 8. You could also use this to copy the Start screen layout from one user account to another user account.
NoteBy default, your pinned Start items are saved in the files at both hidden folder locations below. These files is what this tutorial will be backing up and restoring for you automatically using a BAT file.
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms.bak
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms
C:\Users\(user-name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\appsFolder.itemdata-ms.bak
EXAMPLE: Start Screen in Windows 8
OPTION ONE 
1. Sign in to the user account that you want to backup the Start screen layout of.
2. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, then run it.
Backup-Start_Screen_Layout.bat
3. If prompted, click/tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.
4. You will now have a Start-Screen-Layout-Backup folder on your desktop. Move this folder to where you like for safe keeping.
NOTE: Do not rename this folder since it must remain the exact same name to be able to use it in OPTION TWO below to restore your Start screen layout with.
OPTION TWO
1. If you have not already, make sure that any 3rd party programs that were pinned to your Start screen when the backup was created in OPTION ONE are still installed to the same location first.
WarningSince the pinned Start items are just shortcuts that point to the file, app, program, folder, drive, etc..., these files/programs must still be at the same location when the backup was created before restoring the pinned Start items.
2. Sign in to the user account that you want to copy/restore the Start screen layout backup, and move or copy the Start-Screen-Layout-Backup folder created from OPTION ONE above to the desktop of that account.
3. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, then run it.
Restore-Start_Screen_Layout.bat
4. If prompted, click/tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.
5. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.
6. The Start screen layout has now been restored.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Specify a Default Start Screen Layout for Users in Windows 8.1
- How to Reset Your Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Pin or Unpin a App, Folder, or Drive on "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Add or Remove "Pin to Start" Context Menu for Files in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Back Up and Restore Pinned Apps on Taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Back Up and Restore Quick Access Toolbar Settings in Windows 8 and 8.1
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