Save Pinned Start Menu Programs to Generic Registry Value?

[mbielech5]

Is it possible to save the Start Menu pinned programs (and their specific order, not alphabetical) to a registry entry/key that doesn't use a hash of the user's pinned items folder's full path? Or, have the pinned programs registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE rather than HKEY_CURRENT_USER (currently located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\OpenShell\StartMenu\Order)?

We use a script that copies the current running user profile to the default Windows profile, and we would like the ability to duplicate the pinned items so that all user profiles created after the default profile has been configured are identical. We would also like to pin the new Windows 10 "Start Menu (Windows)" shortcut to the top of the list, or have it so that it remains in a specific order at the top of the list.

Right now XML export/import is supported, but it only saves/restores the OpenShell settings and not pinned Start Menu items.

[Ibuprophen]

Your correct regarding the pinned items not being a part of the Classic Start backup.

The Classic Start software provides 2 options regarding what to use to reflect what the menu will display for the pinned items. One is the default Windows pinned directory and the other being the Classic Start pinned directory.

I'm, personally, am not a big fan in adding the pinned items to the backup process/task because...

1) If the Classic Start were installed after a Freshly installed Windows OS and then you restore the Classic Start backup, it would reflect pinned Shortcuts to nowhere unless those software items were previously installed beforehand.

2) In order for an appropriate backup, this software would have to know which pinned directory to backup.

There's also the fact of those who may have upgraded/downgraded their OS to a version in which one/both those pinned directories may have an alternate/different directory path.

I hope that I had explained my opinion okay via text... :-)

~Ibuprophen

[Redbeardtoo]

Your correct regarding the pinned items not being a part of the Classic Start backup.

The Classic Start software provides 2 options regarding what to use to reflect what the menu will display for the pinned items. One is the default Windows pinned directory and the other being the Classic Start pinned directory.

I'm, personally, am not a big fan in adding the pinned items to the backup process/task because...

1. If the Classic Start were installed after a Freshly installed Windows OS and then you restore the Classic Start backup, it would reflect pinned Shortcuts to nowhere unless those software items were previously installed beforehand.

2. In order for an appropriate backup, this software would have to know which pinned directory to backup.

There's also the fact of those who may have upgraded/downgraded their OS to a version in which one/both those pinned directories may have an alternate/different directory path.

I hope that I had explained my opinion okay via text... :-)

~Ibuprophen

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I'm new to Open Shell. Having just reinstalled my OS and restored the Open Shell settings my thoughts regarding the backup saving pinned items are:

1. After a new OS install and Open Shell restore, it's true you'd begin with shortcuts to nowhere, but as you continue to install the programs in your new OS those shortcuts would become useful.
2. I would think this would be a less common scenario and even if it was necessary, it's still less of an annoyance than having to repin all your shortcuts.

Just my thoughts, I think adding pinned items to the backup would be worth the potential issues.

[Ibuprophen]

This also depends upon which pinned directory is being used as there's the Open Shell one and one for Windows. An individual can specify this within the settings.

I am not a fan for backing up those that are pinned since, if a new installation of windows is performed, individuals may run into pinned items for software that may not be installed yet.

Just my opinion... :-)

~Ibuprophen