How to backup the contents of the Windows Taskbar

Question

How to backup the contents of the Windows Taskbar

Phillip Richcreek 1,125

I want to be able to restore the Windows Taskbar after I do a Windows Restart.Thanks for your help,
PR

Neil D 34,455 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-08T15:20:05.9366667+00:00

When you say a restart do you mean reinstall or recovery. If you carry out a clean install you should see the option to recover your previous system setup during the out of box experience setup.

3 answers

Your answer

Neil D 34,455 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-08T15:20:05.9366667+00:00

When you say a restart do you mean reinstall or recovery. If you carry out a clean install you should see the option to recover your previous system setup during the out of box experience setup.

Answer 1

John Jefferson Doyon 89,725 Independent Advisor

Hi, @Phillip Richcreek

Windows 11 does not have a built-in option to back up and restore the Taskbar layout.

Normally, your pinned apps and Taskbar settings should remain after a standard restart.

When you say you want to restore it after a Windows Restart, do you mean a normal restart of the PC, or are you planning to reset/reinstall Windows?

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

John Jefferson Doyon 89,725 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-09T00:38:46.62+00:00

If possible, please capture a screenshot of the area you're referring to and attach it in your next response. Thanks!

Answer 2

Emma1-N 13,695 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Phillip Richcreek,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum.

If by “restore the Taskbar” you mean restoring your pinned Taskbar apps and Taskbar preferences, you can use the built-in Windows Backup feature in Windows 11.

Open Settings > Accounts > Windows backup
Make sure you are signed in with your personal Microsoft account
Turn on Remember my apps
Under Remember my preferences enable the Windows settings you want backed up

Microsoft’s Windows Backup settings catalog includes Taskbar settings as well as pins on the Taskbar and Start menu among the settings that can be backed up.

However, could you clarify what happens after you restart Windows? Do the pinned apps disappear, does their order change, or does the entire Taskbar fail to appear?

Looking forward to your update.

Phillip Richcreek 1,125 Reputation points

2026-10-08T23:42:44.4733333+00:00

You stated, "...could you clarify what happens after you restart Windows?" I'm uncertain what happens.

I would hope that it s automatically restored. Seems like you're saying it won't be automatically restored but I can back it up on my own with Windows Backup.

Thanks for your help,
PR
Emma1-N 13,695 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-10T06:42:51.2566667+00:00

Hello Phillip Richcreek,

Neil D mentioned, a normal Windows restart should not remove your Taskbar items, so there should be nothing you need to restore afterward.

I hope this clears up the confusion from my earlier response.

Thanks.

Answer 3

Phillip Richcreek 1,125

Not a reinstall.

Thanks,

PR

Neil D 34,455 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-09T09:33:11.3133333+00:00

So just to confirm. A restart is usually using Start > Power > Restart. Is that what you mean or is it something else.

Using this method does not lose anything on the Taskbar.