Classic Shell: Forum

What file do I copy to transfer the setup format I've been using on my win7 desktop for the past year to my new win8 laptop so I have the same classic menu structure on moth machines?

You can copy the start menu folders. However this will only work if the exact same programs are installed in the exact same folders. Otherwise the copied shortcuts won't work.

This may sound dumb, but which folders, or files, are you suggesting I copy, the ones in Roaming, or the ones in Program Files? If Program Files folder, which specific files would I copy?
I will not have the same shortcuts being used, so I recognize those will not be active. But, all other settings should work in 8.1, as in 7, correct?

The start menu folders are usually:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

They contain shortcuts to the installer programs. If you simply copy them to a new machine the shortcuts will work only if the program is installed to the same location. Other than that there is no way to preserve the menu contents.

To preserve the menu settings all you need to do is save them to a XML file and load them later.

You will first obviously have to install Classic Shell on your Windows 8 computer too using the installer from www.classicshell.net . Then as Ivo said, if you install the same programs, the shortcuts will be automatically created by the installer.

As for the Start Menu settings, in the Settings dialog, there is a "Backup" button. Use it to save the XML file on your Windows 7 PC and restore it using "Load from XML" feature on the Windows 8 PC.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.