Where Does Open-Shell Store Settings?
Open-Shell files Start Menu settings in dedicated registry keys, with XML export for migration.
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Open-Shell continues Classic Shell's registry tradition under its own key names. StartMenu, ClassicExplorer, and ClassicIE each own a subkey with every option the settings GUI exposes.
The sanctioned migration path is XML export through the Backup Restore tab, handier than reg files for most users. Advanced tweaks hide in registry only options documented in the customization guides. Exit the menu before importing anything.
Where Open-Shell stores this, by platform
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\OpenShell
StartMenu, ClassicExplorer, and ClassicIE subkeys live here. Export through Settings Backup Restore; exit the menu before importing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I migrate my menu setup?
Use Settings Backup Restore to export XML, or reg export the OpenShell keys. Exit the menu first: live imports while running are unsupported. Merge on the new machine and restart the menu.
Per user or whole machine defaults?
Export HKCU Software OpenShell for the user, or seed HKLM Software OpenShell ClassicStartMenu for machine defaults that lock the GUI. MRU and Order subkeys carry per machine recency worth skipping.
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