Issue:
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 which do not require a 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 11: Start > All Apps > AutoCAD 20xx > Reset Settings To Default
- Windows 10: Start > AutoCAD 20xx > Reset Settings To Default
- Windows 7: Start > All Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 20xx > Reset Settings To Default
The following shows
Reset Settings to Default as it appears in Windows 10 for AutoCAD 2022:

Note: Choose option "Back up and Reset Settings" to back up your current settings in a ZIP file. If needed you can unzip this file and restore formerly customized files back to your APP folder (C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD <version> respectively C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD <version> ). Windows built-in ZIP file handler will not see the content, so a 3rd party zipping utility (e.g. 7-Zip, WinZip, etc.) must be used.
Watch this video:
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.
Manual reset methods
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:
- AutoCAD Plant 3D: How to reset AutoCAD Plant 3D and P&ID to defaults
- Civil 3D: How to reset Civil 3D to defaults
Note: If it is necessary to manually reset another AutoCAD-based application, refer to the two links immediately above. The basic concept/procedure is the same but the folders and registry keys are named differently, depending upon the product and version involved.
See Also:
AutoCAD-based applications:
Other Autodesk Applications:
Products:
AutoCAD for Mac; AutoCAD LT for Mac; AutoCAD Products; DWG TrueView;