Question Move all desktop icons and positions from one computer to another?

kirkdickinson · Jan 8, 2025

I am building a new computer for someone in our office. (both Windows10) He has a completely full desktop of icons (like 400 icons) arranged in only a way that he understands. I copied the contents of his desktop folder into the folder on the new computer, but how can I preserve positioning?

I downloaded three programs to try, ReIcon, DesktopOK, and Desktop Restore. I created a new user account on a test computer and copied the contents of the Desktop over to the new account. I tried saving the icon layouts on the source and then using that saved configuration to restore the locations on the new account.

All the programs miserably fail at this.

Is there something that I am doing wrong?

Are there other programs that I could try?

Thanks

***** SOLVED *****

I contacted Sordum.net, the makers or ReIcon. They helped me sort it out. If the file extensions are hidden in one profile, they have to be hidden in the other profile or vice versa. I had them shown in the primary and hidden in the target. Works perfectly now.

Icecold · Jan 9, 2025

It's stored in the Windows registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop. I would try to export the registry contents of that entire registry entry (right click --> export) through regedit which will create a .reg file and then import it on the new machine. You should be able to import the .reg file just by double clicking it.

lxskllr · Jan 10, 2025

and maybe take a screenshot, so worst case, it's a tedious manual process to place the icons by hand.

kirkdickinson · Jan 10, 2025

lxskllr said:
and maybe take a screenshot, so worst case, it's a tedious manual process to place the icons by hand.

Yeah, but, I am trying to move a user to a new computer. He is a "Hoarder" and has over 400 icons on his desktop. Taking a screenshot and getting them all arranged in the same order will take a while. Going to explore all the other possibilities first.

kirkdickinson · Jan 10, 2025

Icecold said:
It's stored in the Windows registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop. I would try to export the registry contents of that entire registry entry (right click --> export) through regedit which will create a .reg file and then import it on the new machine. You should be able to import the .reg file just by double clicking it.

I tried that and it doesn't rearrange the icons when I load the registry key on the test profile.

deustroop · Jan 11, 2025

kirkdickinson said:
I tried that and it doesn't rearrange the icons when I load the registry key on the test profile.

Clone the established disk onto the new one. Macrium may still make a free version

kirkdickinson · Jan 11, 2025

Icecold said:
It's stored in the Windows registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop. I would try to export the registry contents of that entire registry entry (right click --> export) through regedit which will create a .reg file and then import it on the new machine. You should be able to import the .reg file just by double clicking it.

***** SOLVED *****

I contacted Sordum.net, the makers or ReIcon. They helped me sort it out. If the file extensions are hidden in one profile, they have to be hidden in the other profile or vice versa. I had them shown in the primary and hidden in the target. Works perfectly now.

kirkdickinson · Jan 11, 2025

deustroop said:
Clone the established disk onto the new one. Macrium may still make a free version

That would have been an idea. But his old computer has so much baggage, that I want to start with a fresh install.

I contacted Sordum.net, the makers or ReIcon. They helped me sort it out. If the file extensions are hidden in one profile, they have to be hidden in the other profile or vice versa. I had them shown in the primary and hidden in the target. Works perfectly now.

Question Move all desktop icons and positions from one computer to another?

kirkdickinson

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Icecold

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lxskllr

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kirkdickinson

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kirkdickinson

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deustroop

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kirkdickinson

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