How to backup Windows Explorer folders settings and set them via registry

Question

I'm customizing my system image and I want to add via registry some folder settings. For example I want to group and sort files and folders by type. Where is the registry key?

Answer 1

Finally I found a solution to backup folders settings.

When we configure Folders Options and "Apply to all folders" our settings, Microsoft doesn't store them in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders, as it would be logical, but in the regkey of the folder we modified (e.g. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\3).

Now if you want to backup your settings:

1) Reset folders settings and delete bags keys (1,2,3...) under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\ (tutorials are available).

2) Run C:\Windows.

3) Make your customization.

4) Close folder.

5) Goto HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\###\Shell and right-click to export.

Now open the exported .reg file and replace the key [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\###\Shell] with this:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\AllFolders\Shell\{5C4F28B5-F869-4E84-8E60-F11DB97C5CC7}]

Save.

This is very useful if you make unattended installation and want to add folders settings to your tweaks registry file.

:)

Answer 2

After testing it, it seems this tweak works only for Current or Default User (no HKLM support).

It requires restart.

You can apply your settings with a registry file or a batch file at the end of Windows setup or you can try to integrate in the registry when you deploy your image.