Classic Shell: Forum

I would like to create a batchfile/registry file that could copy the settings for Classic Shell and prepopulate the Classic Shell Start Menu. Could anyone please provide me with some assistance.

Classic Shell's per user settings are stored at HKCU\Software\IvoSoft. For Start Menu it's at HKCU\Software\IvoSoft\ClassicStartMenu although version 4.0 moved MOST of the settings to HKCU\Software\IvoSoft\ClassicStartMenu\Settings subkey. If you export the whole IvoSoft or ClassicStartMenu keys, then you may want to delete the \MRU and \Order subkeys under the ClassicStartMenu key because they store the recent used items and sort order of items (which can be different on every PC or upon every reinstall).

In a batch file, you can use this even without an administrator command prompt to export settings:

Reg.exe export HKCU\Software\IvoSoft\ClassicStartMenu "<path to exported file.reg>" (Replace path to exported reg with proper reg file path)

Modifying or importing registry settings while the menu is running is not supported so before importing it, you must exit the Classic Start Menu using:
"C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe" -exit

To merge the settings back once the menu has exited, use:
Reg.exe import "<path to exported file.reg>"

Then start CSM again:
C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicStartMenu.exe

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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.