Use Backup > Save to XML File in the Open-Shell Menu settings dialog to export a configuration. Store the export in a normal user folder. It preserves preferences, not a complete copy of installed programs or every image referenced by those preferences.
What to do
- Open the menu settings and apply any pending changes first. Exporting a configuration you have not saved may not represent the layout you expect to keep.
- Open the Backup menu and select Save to XML File. Choose a descriptive filename with a date, Windows build, and menu style.
- Store custom skins, Start button images, and any other external assets beside the XML in separate folders. Record their original locations for restoration.
- Open the exported XML as text to confirm it is not empty, without editing it. Keep a second copy somewhere other than the Windows profile you are about to modify.
Check the result
Check that the file exists, has content, and is readable. A restoration test in a separate test account is stronger evidence than simply seeing a save dialog close.
Limits & precautions
An XML file can contain local paths and personal menu entries. Review it before posting it publicly in a support issue; do not assume all configuration data is anonymous.
Questions & answers
Does XML include my installed applications?
No. It records menu settings; linked applications must exist on the destination machine.
Can I overwrite my only backup?
Keep dated copies so a newer broken configuration does not erase the last usable one.
Sources & scope
Documentation checked October 30, 2026. These instructions are documentation-led, not a claim of hands-on testing on your Windows build.