Quick answer
Create a readable configuration record before changing StartAllBack: screenshots of each relevant settings page, the installed version, the Windows build, and a short list of required behaviors. Do not assume an undocumented registry export is a complete or portable backup.
What matters for this task
A settings record and a Windows restore point solve different problems. The first helps you recreate a preferred layout; the second can help reverse certain system changes. Neither should replace a separate backup of documents, especially before a major Windows upgrade.
Steps to follow
- Capture the Start menu, taskbar, and Explorer settings you actually use. Redact usernames, private file paths, and account details before sharing images.
- Write down the display layout, scaling values, and other shell tools. Those environmental details can explain why the same settings look different later.
- Use a built-in export only if your installed release provides and documents one. Keep the export with the matching version notes.
- Create a restore point through System Protection when available and maintain a separate file backup. Label both with the date and purpose.
Verify the result
Check that the screenshots are readable and that you can locate the record from another account or device. A backup that exists only in an inaccessible desktop folder may not help during a shell failure.
Limits and rollback
Restore settings gradually after a reinstall. Test the default configuration first; importing every old setting at once can reintroduce the problem you were trying to remove.
Questions about this task
Is a restore point the same as backing up my files?
No. Keep personal files in a separate backup appropriate to your needs.
Should I copy an entire registry branch from another PC?
Not without documented support and a recovery plan. Per-user state, paths, and version assumptions can differ.
Primary sources
Publisher claims and Windows procedures are linked below. The comparison and diagnostic steps are editorial guidance, not a claim of hands-on Windows testing.
Windows 11 download · Review compatibility and the publisher’s license terms before installing.
Download for Windows 11 File source and installation notes