Fences empty & cannot load saved layout

https://forums.stardock.com/501644/restore-image
from Stardock Forums

Similar to the linked post...

I've reinstalled Windows 10 (Pro x64 v2004).  I had daily snapshots enabled before the change.  Now Fences finds those but when I "recover" one, many of my fences are empty.  The only ones working are portals.  And I have restarted several times.

I also have an XML backup (created somehow) but there's no way to load that.

[ I think apps like this should have an explicit manual "Save settings" and "Load settings", for use when big changes are being made.  The auto is great but not completely reliable. ]

fences
9,976 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Do you have OneDrive desktop sync enable on your newly installed Windows 10? If so, please know that Fenced icons need to have absolute paths - syncing the desktop to OneDrive has your desktop icons at a different location, thus breaking it.  

You have two options:

  1. Stop syncing the desktop, move all your icons back to the actual local desktop folder, restore a Fences snapshot.
  2. Keep it as is and replace your icons in the Fences they were in


Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

No - OneDrive is installed but no account has been created.  And AFAIK I never did use it.  Unless Fences defaulted to using it (I do have an Office365 account) and I wouldn't have known...(?)

I looked at the XML file in a browser - it doesn't have any links.

To be more clear:  I have the old C: drive available, which has AppData\Roaming\Stardock\Fences\Backups.  And have transferred that folder to the new C:, and then installed Fences from the web.  As noted, if finds the snapshots but most fences load without links.

--> IF I must switch back to the old C: drive temporarily, how can I save my Fences layout in some bulletproof manner, for transfer to the new drive?

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

That guide simply points out the "Snapshot" function!  I know about that.  My problem is that the snapshots taken did not include my links, so when they are restored on a new machine the fences are empty.

All my links are apparently lost.  Not happy with that.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

If "my links" you mean "shortcut icons/program/text/etc" you have on your old system. Than no, Fences don't save that, it just save the layout. You will need to re-create it and put it on your desktop on your new system manually. Fences will than move it into your Fences upon layout restore, provided that the new shortcut name is exactly the same as the old one.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant