The taskbar in Windows 11 provides quick access to your frequently used apps and files through pinned items. Backing up these pinned items is beneficial when switching computers or setting up a new user profile, allowing you to maintain your workflow without interruption.

Create a batch file to automatically backup and restore pinned items

Creating a batch file simplifies the process of backing up and restoring your taskbar’s pinned items. This method is efficient and user-friendly, making it easy to transfer your pinned configuration to another Windows 11 machine.

Open the Start Menu and type Notepad. Click on the Notepad app from the search results to launch it.

In the Notepad window, type or paste the following code:

REG EXPORT HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband "[DRIVE LETTER:\FOLDER NAME\FILE NAME.reg]"

xcopy "%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar" "[DRIVE LETTER:\FOLDER NAME\]" /E /C /H /R /K /Y

Note: Replace the placeholders in the code with the actual paths where you want to save the backup files. For example, the directory might look like "E:\Taskbar Backup\Pinned Items.reg".

Click on the File menu in Notepad and select Save As. This will open the save dialog.

In the Save dialog, choose a file name with the extension .bat. Then, set the Save as type option to All files, and click Save.

Locate the .bat file you saved, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.

If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the batch file to run with administrative privileges. Provide administrator credentials if necessary.

The backup of your taskbar’s pinned items is now complete. The backup files will be located in the directory you specified in the batch file.

Creating a batch file to restore pinned items

Open Notepad by searching for it in the Start Menu.

In Notepad, type or paste the following code:

REGEDIT /S "[DRIVE LETTER:\FOLDER NAME\FILE NAME.reg]"

xcopy "[DRIVE LETTER:\FOLDER NAME\]" "%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar" /E /C /H /R /K /Y

Note: Remember to replace the placeholders in the code with the actual directory where your backup files are located. For example, the directory might look like "E:\Taskbar Backup\Pinned Items.reg".

Click on the File menu and select Save As. In the save dialog, name the file with a .bat extension. Set the Save as type to All files, and click Save.

Transfer your backup files to the computer where you want to restore the pinned items. Right-click on the restore .bat file and select Run as administrator.

When prompted by UAC, click Yes to allow the batch file to run. Provide administrator credentials if necessary.

If your pinned items do not appear immediately, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Manually backup and restore pinned items using Registry Editor

Using the Registry Editor to backup and restore your taskbar’s pinned items is a straightforward process that doesn’t require advanced technical skills.

Open the Start Menu and type Registry Editor. Click on the Registry Editor app in the search results to launch it.

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path by copying and pasting it into the address bar:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband

In the left pane, right-click on the Taskband key and select Export. This will open the Save dialog.

Choose a location to save the exported registry file, give it an appropriate name, and click Save.

Open This PC by double-clicking its icon on the desktop or by pressing Windows+E on your keyboard.

In the File Explorer’s address bar, paste the following path and press Enter:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

Copy all the files in this folder by pressing Ctrl+C. Paste them into a safe backup location using Ctrl+V. These files are necessary for restoring your pinned items later.

Tip: Save these files in the same location as your exported registry file to keep all your backup data together.

You’ve now successfully backed up your taskbar pinned items. Step 1: Open This PC by double-clicking its icon on the desktop or pressing Windows+E.

Note: If you’re restoring on a different computer, ensure that you’ve transferred the backup files to the new system before proceeding.

In File Explorer’s address bar, paste the following path and press Enter:

%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

Copy the backup files (excluding the registry file) and paste them into this folder using Ctrl+V. If prompted, choose to replace existing files.

Copy the exported registry file to the new computer. Double-click on the registry file to merge it into the system registry.

If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow the changes. Provide administrator credentials if required.

You may receive a warning about adding information to the registry. Click Yes to confirm and proceed.

Restart your computer to apply the changes. Once the system restarts, your pinned items should appear on the taskbar.

Backing up and restoring your taskbar’s pinned items ensures a seamless transition between computers or after a system reset, keeping your workflow efficient and personalized.

Create a batch file to automatically backup and restore pinned items

Creating a batch file to restore pinned items

Manually backup and restore pinned items using Registry Editor

More from Windows