Import-StartLayout

Imports the layout of the Start into a mounted Windows image.

Syntax

Import-StartLayout
      [-LayoutPath] <String>
      [-MountPath] <String>
      [-WhatIf]
      [-Confirm]
      [<CommonParameters>]
Import-StartLayout
      -LayoutLiteralPath <String>
      -MountLiteralPath <String>
      [-WhatIf]
      [-Confirm]
      [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Import-StartLayout cmdlet imports the specified layout of Start into a mounted Windows image. When you import a layout, it replaces the existing layout of Start for the default user profile. When the Windows image is booted, new users will receive the imported layout at sign-in. New users will be able to customize their default layout, but not the layout for the default user profile.

Before you use this cmdlet, mount the Windows image file to import the layout into.

You must have administrator rights to import a layout.

In Windows 10, the Export-StartLayout cmdlet exports layouts as .xml files, and the Import-StartLayout cmdlet imports only .xml files.

Caution

The Import-StartLayout cmdlet is deprecated in Windows 11. It has no effect on either Start or Taskbar layout. To configure the Start layout in Windows 11, see Customize the Windows 11 Start layout. To configure Taskbar layout in Windows 11, see Customize the Taskbar.

Examples

Example 1: Import a layout into a Windows image

PS C:\> Import-StartLayout -LayoutPath "Layout.xml" -MountPath "C:\"

This command imports a layout of the Start screen into a Windows image.

Example 2: Validate the layout file and Windows image

PS C:\> Import-StartLayout -LayoutPath "Layout.xml" -MountPath " C:\" -WhatIf

This command validates the layout file and the Windows image by using the WhatIf parameter. Besides that parameter, the command is the same as the previous example, but this command makes no changes.

Parameters

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:cf
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-LayoutLiteralPath

Specifies a literal path to a layout file. This parameter does not accept the wildcard character (*). If the path includes an escape character (\), enclose the string in single quotes (').

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-LayoutPath

Specifies a path to a layout file.

Type:String
Position:1
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-MountLiteralPath

Specifies the literal path where you mounted the .wim file. This parameter does not accept the wildcard character (*). If the path includes an escape character (\), enclose the string in single quotes (').

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-MountPath

Specifies the path where you mounted the .wim file and specifies the local appdata folder for the default user.

Type:String
Position:2
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:wi
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False