microsoft
Settings sync
Ability to sync all settings to your MS account to enable similar experiences across multiple devices
crutkas: closely related to Backup and Restore PT Settings (import/export) #586
Additional note/question:
I wouldn't want to sync to an MS account but use some sync method of my own like syncing files via Nextcloud etc.
I already do this successfully for some applications like VSCode in the following way:
- Move/copy setting files to the synced folder like
D:\Nextcloud\sync\VSCode - Create a symlink from the original location to the synced folder.
E.g. link
%appdata%\Code\User->D:\Nextcloud\sync\VSCode\User
I see that this might not work for the PowerToys as the setting files would be synced at a time where PowerToys are already running.
Is my assumption correct that changing the settings files wouldn't work that way?
If so, how can I manually save/sync those settings?
Is it enough to copy everything from %appdatalocal%\Microsoft\PowerToys from one PC to another?
use some sync method of my own
Yeah I like that, maybe a GitHub gist, or a just JSON file on my personal drive at work.
Personally I like the option to sync to an MS account. I'm looking forward to this coming to mainline VS Code, for example, too.
Options for a github gist would be fine if it was something like the Settings Sync extension in VS code where it sets up with a minimum of configuration.
Moving JSON files around, in my opinion, is just clunky.
For context I have several "operational" machines at any one time I'm working across and regularly set up test and demo systems so having as few configuration options to get up and running as possible is always preferrable.
I think the best way to sync would be automagically to your MS account and maybe some option to download the settings or open file location on drive within the PowerToys Settings for people who want to sync it in GDrive or Github Gist or so.
Sometimes I don't wanna go deep about settings because I use powertoys on different computers and I can't sync settings between them, while I feel I'd customize it deeper if I could sync (easily) settings between powertoys instances. +1
Maybe we can just move the settings to [USER]/Documents and let OneDrive do the thing.
Maybe we can just move the settings to [USER]/Documents and let OneDrive do the thing.
I remember when Feedback Hub did that, and I was mad. But, with a Save File dialog, people can decide for themselves. Good to be conscious about the size needed.
I've made a bash script which backs up the PowerToys settings .json files in your %USERPROFILE% directory and also restores them. Needs to be run on WSL (not tested on WSL1). It's working for me, but I do not use all the PowerToys features, so it would be good if you could test it and tell me how it's working for you.
https://gist.github.com/eggbean/1c9e853a315eca16f41b32faddce8625
Hi, any news about this feature ? It would be awesome, because change the settings back every time I change computer is a bit of a pain ^^'
Hi, any news about this feature ? It would be awesome, because change the settings back every time I change computer is a bit of a pain ^^'
@AntoineArt We recently introduced a feature to backup/restore your settings in the PowerToys settings. You can save it to onedrive or another cloud storage server and then easily restore it from other PCs
easily restore it from other PCs
@Aaron-Junker are you sure? Last time I checked, backup specifically worked with the file name connected to one and the same computer.
easily restore it from other PCs
@Aaron-Junker are you sure? Last time I checked, backup specifically worked with the file name connected to one and the same computer.
No I'm not 100% sure. Sorry if I made wrong assumptions.
Several years have passed, and there seems to be no good solution to this problem.
Can we not just get those settings json files in the user profile and sync them?
Would it be easier to allow configuring the settings location root and just store that in the OneDrive mapped directory like is recommended for New+ templates?
For people who need it ASAP: rclone sync and Windows Scheduler (or cron if you driving WSL2)
Though built-in connection to cloud storage would be better, considering how unstable Windows updates have become.
Idea: Maybe there can be a general programmatic interface (a CLI/API/MCP) to control PowerToys, so that backing up and many other features can be automated by power users?
