Explaining the Bags/BagMRU registry tree (trying)

Here’s a little blog post about the Bags and BagMru registry tree.

Windows XP:

When you configure this setting in Windows XP:

Windows will remember each and every folder settings. It stores the settings in the registry on four locations:

• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags
• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU

The BagMRU is the database of folders which are currently stored. It has the location of the folder and which ID (NodeSlot) it has in the Bags tree.

What does which tree stores?

The position of icons in the folder (only for icons on the desktop):

• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BAGMRU

Folder View Settings, Size of the Windows, Position of the Windows:

• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags
• HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMru

For administrators who want to create a policy to control this settings. This is the registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
DWORD ClassicViewState 1/0 (1 = Disabled, 0 = Enabled)

Windows 7

In Windows 7 it’s a little bit different. There is no option in the settings menu for configuring this. In the help there is this explanation:

Windows 7 will only remember each folder views settings, and off course the position of icons on the desktop.

This is stored in the following locations:

• HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
• HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU

The BagMRU is the database of folders which are currently stored. It has the location of the folder and which ID (NodeSlot) it has in the Bags tree. 

Utility

Nirsoft has a little utility called: Shell Bags View. Use it to read which folder is currently stored in your Bags.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shell_bags_view.html