Where Does ExplorerPatcher Store Settings?
ExplorerPatcher registry settings plus installer files, and the safe update routine.
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ExplorerPatcher stores its settings in the registry under HKCU Software ExplorerPatcher, with values for taskbar style, Start menu behavior and windowing tweaks. The installer files live wherever you ran ep_setup from, plus the working copies it registers into the system.
That registry home means export beats screenshots for backups: one reg file captures every toggle. Windows updates break ExplorerPatcher regularly by design, since it patches exactly the components Microsoft rewrites. Reinstalling the same build after an update is routine maintenance, not a migration.
Where ExplorerPatcher stores this, by platform
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ExplorerPatcher
Values cover taskbar, Start menu and shell tweaks in plain DWORDs and strings. Back up with reg export before major Windows updates. The ep_setup exe version should match the installed build when repairing.
Frequently asked questions
how do i back up explorerpatcher settings
Export the HKCU Software ExplorerPatcher key with reg export before changing anything. Reimporting restores taskbar, Start menu and windowing tweaks in one move. Keep the .reg file with your other dotfiles for rebuilds.
explorerpatcher broke after a windows update, how do i fix it
Reinstall the same ep_setup build over the top with Explorer closed. The installer re registers its files and rebuilds the registry state it needs, which fixes most breakage from Windows updates without touching your saved tweaks.
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