How to manually reset an AutoCAD based Profile back to Defaults

Issue:
To troubleshoot a Windows vs AutoCAD based profile problem, you want to know how to manually reset an AutoCAD based profile back to defaults.

Solution:

In this article we’ll use AutoCAD 2022 as the example.  The advantage of using this method is we can rename things back if it doesn’t work well and still have our customization.

You can use the automated way by going to Windows Start button, navigate to AutoCAD 2022, and select “Reset Settings to Default”.

 

This doesn’t always seem to work well. 

I use a manual method that involves two steps:
1)    Renaming a folder on the hard drive AND 
2)    Renaming a key in the registry.  

You must have Administrative permissions to do the following:

1)    Renaming a folder

a.    In File Explorer, I enter %appdata% and let it take me to the users Roaming folder, then I drill down to see the program (see image below).  If I were manually resetting AutoCAD 2022, then I’d rename this AutoCAD 2022 folder… ** Note:  I am logged in as Administrator normally as this is my NEW vm and I haven’t setup a user yet.  Using the %appdata% logged in as the user having the problem will take you to the correct location.

b.    It will resolve to a longer path and instead of seeing “Administrator” it will have your login name.

c.    Rename the AutoCAD 2022 folder.  I typically put 111.- in front of the name so it filters to the top. It will be re-created the next time you launch AutoCAD 2022. 


2)    Next, we move to the Windows Registry.

Warning! Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer/operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.  Use the Microsoft® Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as well as the system.dat and user.dat files as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.  Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.


a.    Open the Registry editor by clicking in the Windows Search and type REGEDIT and it should pop up and show you something like this:


b.    Click “Open” or “Run as administrator” and the Registry Editor should open.

c.    Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R24.1\ACAD-5101:409.  Note that this location is different for different versions of AutoCAD, AutoCAD Based programs like Civil 3D/Architecture, etc and Revit and Inventor too.  You need to find the correct one for the program you are trying to reset.  

Again, we’re resetting AutoCAD 2022.  Verify the right one by the paths.

d.    Rename the “ACAD-5101:409” selection to “111.- ACAD-5101:409” by right clicking the folder on the left and selecting Rename.



Notice this one is for Advance Steel.

IF you rename the R24.1 then it helps to reset the Advance Steel too.  You could just rename the ACAD-5101:409.  

I tend to just rename the R24.1 since it’s a test and I can always rename it back.

 


 

e.    Exit the Registry editor.

3)    Launch AutoCAD and you should receive the “Secondary installer” that will setup the registry keys and copy files to the users %appdata% folder structure as if they had never launched the program before.

If that works, then the problem was somewhere in the AutoCAD profile.  If it doesn’t, but it runs fine under a different Windows login/profile, then the problem is most likely the Windows profile.

Warning! Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer/operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.  Use the Microsoft® Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as well as the system.dat and user.dat files as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.  Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

About the Author

Jeff Lotan

Sr. Technical Support Specialist - Licensing<br><br>I am charged with mentoring and training team members in the proper use our systems and tools, documenting NSC processes, and providing feedback and ideas to the management team towards improving the customer experience. I am also a major contributor to our technical support blog and internal knowledge base.

Follow on Linkedin More Content by Jeff Lotan
Previous Article
Vault Autoloader fails to import - Could not validate files
Vault Autoloader fails to import - Could not validate files

Vault Autoloader fails to import - Could not validate files at Copy & File Redirection stage

Next Article
Labeling Externally Referenced Civil 3D Objects
Labeling Externally Referenced Civil 3D Objects

Civil 3D objects can be labeled directly through an external reference, many times eliminating the need for...

Need tech support? Let us help!

Learn More