I don’t know if it’s because of my dumb luck, or what, but I cannot get this to work. Here’s what I did:
On Windows 10 (17134) machine, launched PowerShell ISE, and ran:
[pre]Export-StartLayout -Path “…\Desktop\LayoutModification.xml” [/pre]
Once that was done, I cracked it open in VS Code (as that has become default editor of all things, it appears), and added the following to the “LayoutModificationTemplate” tag:
[pre]xmlns:taskbar=“http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/TaskbarLayout”[/pre]
Then, I left the entire Start Menu section alone, and added the Taskbar section:
[pre]<CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection PinListPlacement=“Replace”>
<defaultLayout:TaskbarLayout>
<taskbar:TaskbarPinList>
<taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath=“C:\Windows\system32\SnippingTool.exe” />
<taskbar:UWA AppUserModelID=“Microsoft.WindowsCalculator_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App” />
<taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath=“C:\Windows\explorer.exe shell:::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-0800DB30309D}” />
<taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath=“C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe” />
<taskbar:UWA AppUserModelID=“Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe!MicrosoftEdge” />
<taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath=“C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE” />
<taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath=“C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE” />
<taskbar:UWA AppUserModelID=“Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App” />
</taskbar:TaskbarPinList>
</defaultLayout:TaskbarLayout>
</CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection>[/pre]
Then, with my newly saved LayoutModification.xml, I went back to PowerShell ISE, and ran the following:
[pre]Import-StartLayout -LayoutPath “…\Desktop\LayoutModification.xml” -MountPath "C:"[/pre]
No dice. Says that the file is not a valid layout file. So, I did some googling of the issue, and noticed some people finding success in changing the exported file format from xml to bin. So, I rinsed and repeated (this time with .bin).
No dice. Says that the file is not a valid layout file. So, I did some more googling of the issue, and found someone who said they were finally able to get it to work after going through all the Start Menu items, and moving the “Size=‘#x#’ Column=‘#’ Row=‘#’” to behind the “DesktopApplicationLinkPath=‘…’”. So, I promptly did that.
No dice. Says that the file is not a valid layout file. After even more googling, and seeing even more insane methods people have used to successfully fix this issue, I figured I might have better luck asking people who have extensive knowledge of PowerShell. So, I googled that. I saw a website called “powershell.org” and thought “If ever there was a place to find people who have extensive knowledge of PowerShell…”
And so here I am - lost, frustrated, weary from my fruitless travels through the Google-sphere, and…you know, I’m not ashamed to admit…a little scared. Scared I may never get this to work. Scared of the feelings of inadequacy that might result. Scared I’ll go the rest of my life without ever knowing why this isn’t working. It’s been a very emotional scripting journey.