Answer
PME keeps timestamped menu backups in the backups directory under its resource root. Copy that directory somewhere safe first, then import a backup from before the loss. An automatic backup protects menu data; it does not replace a backup of custom scripts and icons.
Steps
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Stop editing menus. Further launches and changes can create newer backups and eventually rotate older ones out.
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Copy the entire backup directory to a safe location before importing anything. With the default PME 2.1 resource root, it is:
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Pie Menu Editor\backups\ -
Sort files named like
backup_YYYY.MM.DD_HH.MM.SS.jsonby time. Choose the newest file created before the unwanted deletion or edit. -
In PME, import that JSON with Rename if exists enabled when existing menus are still present. This preserves both versions for comparison instead of overwriting immediately.
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Inspect the recovered menus and test representative hotkeys and items.
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Delete or rename duplicates only after deciding which copy is correct.
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Export All Menus to a new, clearly named recovery JSON. If Blender’s Auto-Save Preferences is disabled, use Save Preferences.
When Auto Backup is enabled, PME creates an automatic backup during add-on startup after the menus have loaded. PME 2.1 keeps up to 20 automatic backups and skips writing a duplicate when menu data has not changed. Backup Now is available from the PME export menu when you want an explicit checkpoint.
Pitfalls
- The most recent backup may already contain the broken state. Select by the last known-good time, not merely by newest filename.
- Changing the PME resource-root path does not move existing files. Check the previous resource root if the new
backupsdirectory is empty. - Backup JSON contains PME menu data. Back up the whole resource root separately to protect scripts, icons, and other external assets.
- Repeatedly starting Blender during recovery can advance the automatic-backup rotation. Preserve the directory first.