Normally a new version of sonar retains the properties from the previous version i.e. windows layouts, plugins layouts, audio drivers, resolution etc...
When I installed sonar platinum, it did not do that...
Is there a way to force it to do so?
 

Mine didn't do it completely either, had to go hand-bomb them back in...

When it loads up for the first time - it should see the previous cakewalk.ini file (or files if there are more than one version of SONAR installed) and ask if you want to import the settings - or in my case - which one you want to use.
 
I was able to point it to the X3 ini file and it imported the settings. It actually imported them too well, because it just points to the X3 folders. You always need to check your file paths anyway...
 
You could try deleting your cakewalk.ini (or be clever and just rename it) and load SONAR again - it should prompt you....

Previous versions allowed you to start Sonar in Safe mode by holding the shift key and this would prompt Sonar to ask if you wanted to Import previous settings. I wasn't able to do this with my installation. I think maybe because of the naming differences.

I don't know the condition which triggers the import settings dialog short of a reinstall
 
There is a difference between Safe Mode and Re-personalization. Safe mode is invoked by holding the SHIFT key will opening a project.
 
Re-personalization is not the same as importing setup information from a previous version
There are two levels of re-personalization,
1) Holding the SHIFT key while opening SONAR - causes SONAR to replace any files which are missing from the user directory from the master copy ProgramData.
2) Holding the CTRL+SHIFT keys while opening SONAR - causes SONAR to overwrite the files in the user directory with the master copy in ProgramData and resets some registry entries.
 
FWIW, Noel recommends against importing previous setup information see http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3031243 and his follow up post below it.

Ah Program + shift not project + shift. Now I remember what it does and when. Thanks scook.

I mentioned in my mIni review that I had to redo all the folder paths after installation. I may have falsely remembered what happened on previous installations as I thought that paths were brought forward. Obviously not.

I use to import previous settings. The folder paths are a mixed bag. By default many of them are version specific so importing them would point to the previous installation. Not what I wanted at all.
 
The data which in the user directory is easy to migrate by hand. This would include data like plug-in layouts, drum maps, the master.ins. But I don't keep my plug-in layouts and drum maps folders in the user directory.
 
A few years ago I started locating all custom data in a single directory tree and either use the folder locations in preferences or mklink to bring the custom data into SONAR. This makes it is easy to integrate the custom stuff into a new install.

Having now learned how to make use of mklink I can now do that too where previously I would use the registry for the deeper changes or not bother at all.
Since X2 -> X3 I've actually been keeping all folder locations at their default except for Projects and Global Audio
 

Ok. Looks like it is better/safer to reconfigure everything. Done!!!

Platinum imported all my X3 settings (and add ons) except the location for my Sonar Projects (on a different drive than the OS and Sonar).   
 
I had to manually change the location of the Projects but that was the only thing.
 
When I upgraded from X2 to X3 I had to reinstall purchased products such as the Pro Channel add ons.