diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index ab36c0a9..5b33babc 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 project('savedesktop',
-          version: '3.8',
+          version: '3.8.1',
     meson_version: '>= 1.0.0',
   default_options: [ 'warning_level=2', 'werror=false', ],
 )
diff --git a/po/savedesktop.pot b/po/savedesktop.pot
index 29446f84..f9fc823d 100644
--- a/po/savedesktop.pot
+++ b/po/savedesktop.pot
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ msgstr ""
 
 #: src/gui/window.py
 msgid ""
-"<big><b>{}</b></big>\nYou can log out of the system for the changes to take effect, or go back to the previous page and log out later.\n"
+"<big><b>{}</b></big>\nYou can log out of the system for the changes to take effect, or go back to the previous page and log out later.\n\n<i>If your archive contains Flatpak apps, they will start installing after the next login.</i>"
 msgstr ""
 
 #: src/gui/window.py
diff --git a/src/core/archive.py b/src/core/archive.py
index 43834461..91b8ad90 100644
--- a/src/core/archive.py
+++ b/src/core/archive.py
@@ -50,9 +50,6 @@ def start_saving(self):
         else:
             self._create_archive()
 
-            print("Moving the configuration archive to the user-defined directory")
-            shutil.copyfile('cfg.sd.zip', self.path_with_filename)
-
         print("Configuration saved successfully.")
         remove_temp_file()
 
@@ -65,7 +62,7 @@ def _copy_config_to_folder(self):
 
     # Create a new ZIP archive with 7-Zip
     def _create_archive(self):
-        cmd = ['7z', 'a', '-tzip', '-mx=3', '-x!*.zip', '-x!saving_status', 'cfg.sd.zip', '.']
+        cmd = ['7z', 'a', '-snL', '-mx=3', '-x!*.zip', '-x!saving_status', 'cfg.sd.zip',  "."]
         if settings["enable-encryption"] or os.path.exists(f"{CACHE}/pb"):
             if password:
                 cmd.insert(4, "-mem=AES256")
@@ -80,6 +77,9 @@ def _create_archive(self):
         else:
             print("7z finished with warnings:", proc.stderr)
 
+        print("Moving the configuration archive to the user-defined directory")
+        shutil.copyfile('cfg.sd.zip', self.path_with_filename)
+
 class Unpack:
     def __init__(self, dir_path):
         self.path_with_filename = dir_path
@@ -141,11 +141,24 @@ def _unpack_zip_archive(self):
                 raise ValueError(first_error or "Wrong password")
             print("Checking password is completed.")
 
-        cmd = subprocess.run(
-            ['7z', 'x', '-y', f'-p{password}', self.path_with_filename, f'-o{TEMP_CACHE}'],
-            capture_output=True, text=True, check=True
+        cmd = ['7z', 'x', '-y', '-snL']
+
+        if password:
+            cmd.append(f'-p{password}')
+
+        cmd.extend([
+            self.path_with_filename,
+            f'-o{TEMP_CACHE}'
+        ])
+
+        proc = subprocess.run(
+            cmd,
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True
         )
-        print(cmd.stdout)
+
+        if proc.returncode >= 7:
+            raise OSError(proc.stderr)
 
     def __handle_sync_error(self):
         # If 7-Zip returns an error regarding an incorrect password and the {CACHE}/sync file
diff --git a/src/core/de_config.py b/src/core/de_config.py
index f653dfa3..bb535f35 100644
--- a/src/core/de_config.py
+++ b/src/core/de_config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-import os, shutil, argparse
+import os, shutil, argparse, subprocess
 from gi.repository import GLib
 from savedesktop.globals import *
+from pathlib import Path
 
 # Helping functions
 def safe_copy(src: str, dst: str):
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ def safe_copy(src: str, dst: str):
 def safe_copytree(src: str, dst: str, ignore=None):
     if os.path.isdir(src):
         try:
-            shutil.copytree(src, dst, dirs_exist_ok=True, ignore=ignore)
+            shutil.copytree(src, dst, dirs_exist_ok=True, symlinks=True, ignore=ignore)
             print(f"[OK] Copied dir: {src} → {dst}")
         except Exception as e:
             print(f"[ERR] Dir copy failed {src} → {dst}: {e}")
@@ -45,6 +46,9 @@ def safe_copytree(src: str, dst: str, ignore=None):
     ("xdg-data", f"{home}/.local/share"),
 ]
 
+# The ~/Desktop folder definition
+desktop_dir = Path(GLib.get_user_special_dir(GLib.UserDirectory.DIRECTORY_DESKTOP))
+
 class Save:
     def __init__(self):
         
@@ -71,24 +75,27 @@ def __init__(self):
             safe_copytree(f"{home}/.local/share/backgrounds", "backgrounds")
             safe_copytree(f"{home}/.local/share/wallpapers", "xdg-data/wallpapers")
         if settings["save-icons"]:
-            safe_copytree(f"{home}/.icons", ".icons")
-            safe_copytree(f"{home}/.local/share/icons", "icons")
+            xdg_path = f"{home}/.local/share"
+            legacy_path = f"{home}"
+            if os.path.isdir(f"{xdg_path}/icons") and os.listdir(f"{xdg_path}/icons"):
+                subprocess.run(["tar", "-czf", "icon-themes.tgz", "-C", xdg_path, "icons"])
+            if os.path.isdir(f"{legacy_path}/.icons") and os.listdir(f"{legacy_path}/.icons"):
+                subprocess.run(["tar", "-czf", "icon-themes-legacy.tgz", "-C", legacy_path, ".icons"])
+            print("[OK] Saving icons")
 
         # Desktop folder
         if settings["save-desktop-folder"]:
-            desktop_dir = GLib.get_user_special_dir(GLib.UserDirectory.DIRECTORY_DESKTOP)
-            if desktop_dir:
-                safe_copytree(desktop_dir, "Desktop")
+            subprocess.run(["tar", "-czf", "desktop-folder.tgz", "-C", str(desktop_dir.parent), str(desktop_dir.name)])
             safe_copytree(f"{home}/.local/share/gvfs-metadata", "gvfs-metadata")
+            print("[OK] Saving ~/Desktop folder")
         
         # Flatpak apps and their data
         if flatpak:
             if settings["save-installed-flatpaks"]:
-                print("saving list of installed Flatpak apps")
                 os.system("ls /var/lib/flatpak/app/ | awk '{print \"flatpak install --system \" $1 \" -y\"}' > ./installed_flatpaks.sh")
                 os.system("ls ~/.local/share/flatpak/app | awk '{print \"flatpak install --user \" $1 \" -y\"}' > ./installed_user_flatpaks.sh")
+                print("[OK] Saving list of installed Flatpak apps")
             if settings["save-flatpak-data"]:
-                print("saving user data of installed Flatpak apps")
                 self.save_flatpak_data()
 
         # Environment specific
@@ -116,24 +123,15 @@ def save_flatpak_data(self):
         gsettings = settings["disabled-flatpak-apps-data"]
         black_list = gsettings # convert GSettings property to a list
         
-        os.makedirs(f"{CACHE}/workspace/app", exist_ok=True)
-        destdir = f"{CACHE}/workspace/app"
-        
-        # copy Flatpak apps data
-        for item in os.listdir(f"{home}/.var/app"):
-            if item not in black_list and item != "cache":
-                source_path = os.path.join(f"{home}/.var/app", item)
-                destination_path = os.path.join(destdir, item)
-                if os.path.isdir(source_path):
-                    try:
-                        shutil.copytree(source_path, destination_path, ignore=shutil.ignore_patterns('cache'))
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        print(f"Error copying directory {source_path}: {e}")
-                else:
-                    try:
-                        shutil.copy2(source_path, destination_path)
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        print(f"Error copying file {source_path}: {e}")
+        cmd = ["tar", "-czf", "flatpak-apps-data.tgz", "--exclude=*/cache"]
+
+        for apps in black_list:
+            cmd.append(f"--exclude={apps}")
+
+        cmd.extend(["-C", f"{home}/.var", "app"])
+
+        subprocess.run(cmd)
+        print("[OK] Saving Flatpak apps' data")
 
 class Import:
     def __init__(self):
@@ -156,12 +154,11 @@ def __init__(self):
         safe_copytree("gnome-shell", f"{home}/.local/share/gnome-shell")
         safe_copytree("cinnamon", f"{home}/.local/share/cinnamon")
         safe_copytree("plasma", f"{home}/.local/share/plasma")
-        safe_copytree("Desktop", GLib.get_user_special_dir(GLib.UserDirectory.DIRECTORY_DESKTOP))
         safe_copytree("gvfs-metadata", f"{home}/.local/share/gvfs-metadata")
         safe_copytree("backgrounds", f"{home}/.local/share/backgrounds")
         safe_copytree("wallpapers", f"{home}/.local/share/wallpapers")
-        safe_copytree("icons", f"{home}/.local/share/icons")
-        safe_copytree(".icons", f"{home}/.icons")
+        self.import_desktop_folder()
+        self.import_icons()
 
         # Environment specific
         if environment:
@@ -177,9 +174,29 @@ def __init__(self):
             print(f"[WARN] Unknown DE: {environment_key}")
         
         if flatpak: 
-            if any(os.path.exists(path) for path in ["app", "installed_flatpaks.sh", "installed_user_flatpaks.sh"]): 
+            if any(os.path.exists(path) for path in ["app", "flatpak-apps-data.tgz", "installed_flatpaks.sh", "installed_user_flatpaks.sh"]):
                 self.create_flatpak_autostart()
     
+    # Extract an archive with the Desktop folder
+    def import_desktop_folder(self):
+        if os.path.exists("desktop-folder.tgz"):
+            subprocess.run(["tar", "-xzvf", "desktop-folder.tgz", "-C", str(desktop_dir.parent)])
+            print("[OK] Extracting a Desktop archive")
+        else:
+            safe_copytree("Desktop", GLib.get_user_special_dir(GLib.UserDirectory.DIRECTORY_DESKTOP))
+
+    # Extract an archive with icon themes
+    def import_icons(self):
+        if os.path.exists(f"icon-themes.tgz"):
+            subprocess.run(["tar", "-xzvf", "icon-themes.tgz", "-C", f"{home}/.local/share/"])
+            print("[OK] Extracting a XDG icons archive")
+        if os.path.exists(f"icon-themes-legacy.tgz"):
+            print(f"[OK] Extracting a legacy icons archive")
+            subprocess.run(["tar", "-xzvf", "icon-themes-legacy.tgz", "-C", f"{home}/"])
+        else:
+            safe_copytree("icons", f"{home}/.local/share/icons")
+            safe_copytree(".icons", f"{home}/.icons")
+
     # Create an autostart file to install Flatpaks from a list after the next login 
     def create_flatpak_autostart(self):
         os.system(f"cp /app/share/savedesktop/savedesktop/core/flatpaks_installer.py {CACHE}/workspace")
diff --git a/src/core/flatpaks_installer.py b/src/core/flatpaks_installer.py
index 096d928d..674261bf 100644
--- a/src/core/flatpaks_installer.py
+++ b/src/core/flatpaks_installer.py
@@ -23,12 +23,16 @@
     dest_dir = None
    
 # If the destination directory variable is not 'None', continue in installing Flatpak apps
-if not dest_dir == None:
+if dest_dir:
     # If the destination directory has a directory with installed Flatpak apps user data, install them
     if os.path.exists(f"{dest_dir}/app"):
         print("copying the Flatpak apps' user data to the ~/.var/app directory")
         os.system(f"cp -au {dest_dir}/app/ ~/.var/")
     
+    # If the flatpak-apps-data.tgz archive exists, unpack it to the ~/.var/app directory
+    if os.path.exists(f"{dest_dir}/flatpak-apps-data.tgz"):
+        subprocess.run(["tar", "-xzvf", "flatpak-apps-data.tgz", "-C", f"{Path.home()}/.var"])
+
     # If the Bash scripts for installing Flatpak apps to the system exist, install them
     if os.path.exists(f"{dest_dir}/installed_flatpaks.sh") or os.path.exists(f"{dest_dir}/installed_user_flatpaks.sh"):
         print("installing the Flatpak apps on the system")
@@ -78,4 +82,4 @@
     os.remove(autostart_file)
 
 # Remove the cache dir after finishing the operations
-shutil.rmtree(f"{CACHE}/workspace")
+shutil.rmtree(f"{CACHE_FLATPAK}/workspace")
diff --git a/src/gui/window.py b/src/gui/window.py
index dea00dbb..48894646 100644
--- a/src/gui/window.py
+++ b/src/gui/window.py
@@ -49,10 +49,18 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.headerbar.pack_end(child=self.menu_button)
 
         # primary layout
+        self.scrolled = Gtk.ScrolledWindow()
+        self.scrolled.set_policy(Gtk.PolicyType.NEVER, Gtk.PolicyType.AUTOMATIC)
+        self.scrolled.set_vexpand(True)
+        self.scrolled.set_hexpand(True)
+        self.toolbarview.set_content(self.scrolled)
+
         self.headapp = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.VERTICAL, spacing=10)
-        self.headapp.set_valign(Gtk.Align.CENTER)
-        self.headapp.set_halign(Gtk.Align.CENTER)
-        self.toolbarview.set_content(self.headapp)
+        self.headapp.set_valign(Gtk.Align.FILL)
+        self.headapp.set_halign(Gtk.Align.FILL)
+        self.headapp.set_vexpand(True)
+        self.headapp.set_hexpand(True)
+        self.scrolled.set_child(self.headapp)
 
         # A view container for the menu switcher
         self.stack = Adw.ViewStack(vexpand=True)
@@ -512,7 +520,7 @@ def _checkDialog_closed(self, w, response):
 
     # Save configuration
     def save_config(self):
-        print("Saving the configuration is in progress…\nFull output will be available after finishing this operation.")
+        print("Saving the configuration is in progress…")
         self.archive_mode = "--create"
         self.archive_name = f"{self.folder}/{self.filename_text}"
 
@@ -535,7 +543,7 @@ def _set_status_desc_save(self):
 
     # Import configuration
     def import_config(self):
-        print("Importing the configuration is in progress…\nFull output will be available after finishing this operation.")
+        print("Importing the configuration is in progress…")
         self.toast_overlay.dismiss_all()
 
         self.archive_name = self.path_to_import
@@ -543,7 +551,7 @@ def import_config(self):
         self.status_title = _("<big><b>Importing configuration …</b></big>\nImporting configuration from:\n<i>{}</i>\n").split('</b>')[0].split('<b>')[-1]
         self.status_desc = _("<big><b>Importing configuration …</b></big>\nImporting configuration from:\n<i>{}</i>\n").format(self.archive_name)
         self.done_title = _("The configuration has been applied!")
-        self.done_desc = _("<big><b>{}</b></big>\nYou can log out of the system for the changes to take effect, or go back to the previous page and log out later.\n").format(_("The configuration has been applied!"))
+        self.done_desc = _("<big><b>{}</b></big>\nYou can log out of the system for the changes to take effect, or go back to the previous page and log out later.\n\n<i>If your archive contains Flatpak apps, they will start installing after the next login.</i>").format(_("The configuration has been applied!"))
 
         self.please_wait()
         import_thread = Thread(target=self._call_archive_command)
@@ -552,7 +560,7 @@ def import_config(self):
     def _call_archive_command(self):
         self.archive_proc = subprocess.Popen(
             [sys.executable, "-m", "savedesktop.core.archive", self.archive_mode, self.archive_name],
-            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stdout=None,
             stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
             text=True,
             env={**os.environ, "PYTHONPATH": f"{app_prefix}"}
@@ -576,10 +584,10 @@ def please_wait(self):
 
         # Create box widget for this page
         self.status_box = Gtk.Box(orientation=Gtk.Orientation.VERTICAL, spacing=10)
-        self.status_box.set_halign(Gtk.Align.CENTER)
-        self.status_box.set_valign(Gtk.Align.CENTER)
+        self.status_box.set_vexpand(True)
+        self.status_box.set_hexpand(True)
         self.status_box.set_size_request(350, 100)
-        self.toolbarview.set_content(self.status_box)
+        self.scrolled.set_child(self.status_box)
 
         # Set bold title
         self.set_title(self.status_title)
@@ -684,7 +692,7 @@ def _back_to_main(self, w):
             self.status_box.remove(widget)
 
     def _set_default_widgets_state(self):
-        self.toolbarview.set_content(self.headapp)
+        self.scrolled.set_child(self.headapp)
         self.headerbar.set_title_widget(self.switcher_title)
         self.set_title("Save Desktop")
         self.apply_handler = self.break_point.connect("apply", self.__on_break_point_apply)
@@ -741,6 +749,8 @@ def on_close(self, w):
     # Remove this folder to cleanup unnecessary content created during saving,
     # importing, or syncing the configuration only if these files are not present
     def remove_cache(self):
-        files_to_check = [f"{CACHE}/pb", f"{CACHE}/sync", f"{CACHE}/workspace/flatpaks_installer.py"]
-        if not any(os.path.exists(path) for path in files_to_check):
-            shutil.rmtree(f"{CACHE}/workspace")
+        if os.path.exists(f"{CACHE}/workspace"):
+            files_to_check = [f"{CACHE}/pb", f"{CACHE}/sync", f"{CACHE}/workspace/flatpaks_installer.py"]
+            if not any(os.path.exists(path) for path in files_to_check):
+                shutil.rmtree(f"{CACHE}/workspace")
+