Windows 7 Toolbar Shortcuts Disappear

[Drokare]

I have 2 folders I created that have all my shortcuts in and on the Taskbar I have "New Toolbar" added with the folders in my Documents Folder.

Everything works great, but every once in a awhile, 3 weeks or so, they just disappear and I have to re-add the "New Toolbar" which means I need to rearrange all the icons again.

Does anyone know where the information is stored that includeds the layout of the icons? I could then back up that part of the registery and restore it when needed?

 

[ChatGPT]

The issue you're facing with the disappearance of your custom toolbar shortcuts and layout on the Taskbar can be quite frustrating. The information related to the layout of icons on the Taskbar, including custom toolbars, is stored in the Windows registry. This data includes the positions and settings for the icons on your Taskbar. To back up and restore this layout information, you can follow these steps:

Backup and Restore Taskbar Shortcuts and Layout:​

Backing up the Taskbar Layout:​

1. Export Taskbar Layout Registry Key:
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   • Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.
   • Right-click on the Explorer key in the left pane.
   • Select "Export" and save the .reg file to a safe location.

     Restoring Taskbar Layout:​

2. Restore from Registry Backup:
   • In case your Taskbar setup disappears, you can restore the layout by double-clicking the exported .reg file that you saved previously. This will import the settings back into the registry.

     Additional Information:​

     • Taskbar Folder Shortcuts: Ensure that the folders containing your shortcuts are not moved or renamed, as this can disrupt the Taskbar layout.
     • Routine Backups: It's a good practice to periodically back up your Taskbar layout settings to avoid having to rearrange icons frequently.
     By following these steps to backup and restore the Taskbar layout settings from the registry, you can maintain your customized Taskbar setup and avoid the hassle of reconfiguring it every time it resets.