Custom Taskbar and Start Menu Sidebar in W10

[JRA]

Hi everyone - yes easily Google-able but somehow I've spent an hour not getting there with it. Anyone feel like helping out?

 

So, as I understand it the same .xml file that governs the start menu governs the taskbar too. I'd like my taskbar to have only file explorer on it (Cortana I'll bin with another policy.)

 

Anyways, currently my start.xml file applies and we get no icons on the sidebar bit. Perfect:

 

BUT if I add in what I think I should for the taskbar (and where I think I should add it) it all goes bonkers:

Anyone fancy just pasting something in that works?

 

Thanks ppl.

Edited February 26, 2020 by JRA

[thimon]

Hi @JRA Here's our layout file, has worked fine since 1511, currently on 1809. You need the area highlighted in yellow and everything inbetween, put the location of the shortcut(s) you want on the Taskbar there. Cheers.

 

[JRA]

You're kind thank you!

[JRA]

...Actually would you mind pasting the text of it? Sorry.

 

Tried to copy it out by hand but I'm still breaking it. :/

[BentleyMiller86]

Hi JRA

 

This is my layout below, it only pins to task bar but your welcome to copy it and modify

 

Thanks

[thimon]

--------

[JRA]

--------

 

Thanks - I had a go at copying this out but it's all one one line. Made this out of it:

 

xmlns:taskbar="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/TaskbarLayout"
xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout"
xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification">





rt:DesktopApplicationTile DesktopApplicationLinkPath="C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\File Explorer.lnk" Row="2" Column="0" Size="2x2"/>





start:DesktopApplicationTile DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Notepad.lnk" Row="0" Column="4" Size="1x1"/>

Still not working at all though - I'm really not good at this...

[tmoon-mint]

Can you try setting the Start Menu how you want it and use Powershell to export it?

 

[color=#323232][font=monospace]export-startlayout –path C:\layout.xml[/font][/color]

 

You will still need to add the lines for a taskbar layout into the XML file but should make setting your start menu layout easier.

[caffrey]

This is ours for students, operations group is logoff \ shutdown shortcuts

 

It really is finicky, one mistake and it breaks, looks like microsoft will be changing the start menu in the next release so we probably have this all to do again in the future

 

    xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout" 
   xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout" 
   xmlns:taskbar="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/TaskbarLayout" 
   xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification" Version="1">
   	StartTileGroupsColumnCount="1"   />
   
   
     
       
         
         
         
         
       
       
         
         
       
       
         
         
       
     
   
 
 
       
           
               
               
               
               
               
           
       
   

[JRA]

It really is finicky, one mistake and it breaks, looks like microsoft will be changing the start menu in the next release so we probably have this all to do again in the future

 

I flippin' well hope so this is awful.

 

And I can't get ANY of them to work now. This is mental, it's just doing what it fancies.

 

Is there some trick to this? Or another way to do it?

[thimon]

As @tmoon-mint has said use PowerShell to export a layout which you've manually made and are happy with. Then use that exported .xml file to deploy the layout via GPO.

[JRA]

As @tmoon-mint has said use PowerShell to export a layout which you've manually made and are happy with. Then use that exported .xml file to deploy the layout via GPO.

I swear on the eyes of my children I did just that and it's not having it, just stuffing up random Outlook and Access links however it wants and ignoring all of it.

[ZFarnworth_geek]

Does anyone know how to customise the app list in windows 10 via group policy I’ve been asked by the headteacher to add custom folders to the app list like English has English apps for staff and students via group policy

 

 

Anyone know how to do it?

[tmoon-mint]

Does anyone know how to customise the app list in windows 10 via group policy I’ve been asked by the headteacher to add custom folders to the app list like English has English apps for staff and students via group policy

 

 

Anyone know how to do it?

You would use folder redirection to redirect the start menu for this.