How to reset or restore the settings of AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD for Mac, or other AutoCAD-based product to original default values. Most versions of AutoCAD have a reset utility to accomplish the task. Those that do not must follow the manual reset process (e.g., AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Civil 3D).
Solution:
AutoCAD for Windows
Run the app named Reset Settings to Default, located alongside AutoCAD in the list of all applications accessed from the Windows Start menu. For example:
Windows 10: Start > AutoCAD 20xx > Reset Settings To Default
Windows 8: Search for 'reset settings to default' under the Start Screen.
Windows 7: Start > All Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 20xx > Reset Settings To Default
Note: AutoCAD 2016-based products on Windows 10 have the reset located under Autodesk instead of under the specific AutoCAD 2016 product. The following shows Reset Settings to Default as it appears in Windows 10 for AutoCAD 2019:
AutoCAD for Mac
To reset AutoCAD for Mac or AutoCAD LT for Mac, click the program menu and choose 'Reset AutoCAD.' Note: To restore settings for only the AutoCAD palettes, choose Reset Palettes from the program's Window menu. Alternatively, resetting to defaults can be done by holding down the shift key while starting AutoCAD for Mac (versions 2014 SP1 and later), or doing it through Preferences:
From the AutoCAD menu, click Preferences.
In Preferences, click the Application tab.
Click the Reset Application Options button.
Click Reset AutoCAD.
Note: AutoCAD for Mac first creates a backup of the current settings and stores them at this location:
If the automated methods do not work, settings can be reset manually. This is especially applicable for those versions of AutoCAD-based products that do not have a reset utility (e.g., AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Civil 3D). Manually resetting AutoCAD for Windows
Exit AutoCAD.
To back up current settings, run the app named Export AutoCAD 20xx Settings, located in the list of all applications accessed from the Windows Start menu. For versions of AutoCAD which do not have the export utility, create copies of the two folders in step 3 and export the registry path in step 5.
Note: This path is unique for each version of AutoCAD. To see what 'ACAD-xxxx' refers to, select the folder and then look at the keys on the right pane of the Registry Editor. One of the keys will show the install path to the associated version of AutoCAD. The '40x' number signifies the language version of AutoCAD.
Warning! Improperly editing the Windows registry can make your computer operating system unusable. The Microsoft Knowledgebase provides critical information that you need to know about the registry. Use the Microsoft Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft article How to back up and restore the registry in Windowsand in the related solution How to back up the system registry. You can also find more information about the registry in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.
Manually resetting AutoCAD for Mac
Quit AutoCAD.
Delete the folder:
~home/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 201x Standalone/Rxx.x/roaming (AutoCAD 2016 and later) or ~home/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/roaming/AutoCAD 201x Standalone (AutoCAD 2015 and earlier)
Note: To access the Library folder, hold down Option while selecting the Go menu in the Finder.
Navigate to this folder:
~home/Library/Preferences
In the Preferences folder, delete all files whose names start with com.autodesk.AutoCAD.
See Also:
How to Reset AutoCAD (Video - Windows 7 operating system)
Products:
AutoCAD for Mac; AutoCAD LT for Mac; AutoCAD Products; DWG TrueView;
As per reader requests, direct links to official Apple Macintosh instruction manuals in PDF format -- hosted by Apple's own support site -- are provided below as well as on the specs page for each G3 and newer Mac.
Not sure which Mac you need to locate? Look it up with EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup. For help, please refer to Mac Identification.
Complete technical specifications from EveryMac.com are linked on the left and the correponding instruction manual in PDF format is linked on the right.
If you find this page useful, please Bookmark & Share it.Thank you.
EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.